Purple Martin Forum

1st scout responding to our greetings with that sorely missed churtle!

MANY thanks to all of you south of us who took good care of the PMs during the historic winter blast!

Same to you Keith! Good year to ya! And same here regarding Kathy's article - she's doing great work as her article is generating interest and comments that's had me busy helping others already this year.

Jeff

What is the closest large tree to the pole? Is that a close one where you can see the branches in top left of picture? Expanding on Flyin-Lowe's comments, even with a yearly full colony and early returns, I still plug all holes I can't control, at least until I have enuf birds to control things on t...

Actually, I woudn't mind seeing the martins slow down their advance north! Here in Ohio we see some nasty winter like conditions sometime in March almost every year which can be a disaster for our birds. It appears that our birds are significantly ahead of averaged arrival dates across the mid-sout...

Congrats! Good for you hope the winds keep blowing from the south. Thanks and best to you on your 3rd year Fuzzmeister! Around what date do you get your first returns way up there? I was stationed in North Dakota for several years, so I know how long the cold can hold on into April and May sometimes.

Good deal Keith! Mine returned yesterday as well. Waiting now to hear from Kathy

South winds and 60s bring em home - 3 arrivals on Leap Day!

Jeff

Awesome Kathy. Keep up the great work!

And thanks for the referral - Steve's only 12 minutes from my place so I went by and gave him some tips on recommended modifications to his 3 Trio's, and confirmed his relocation as spot-on.

Jeff

Great choices and info! I personally went with the RWS 34 (Diana, break-barrrel) matched with RWS Superdome .22 pellets - takes care of most things unwanted around the yard and PM housing. RWS is German made quality. The .177 is sufficient if shooting only birds at short range. As others said, don't...

Your chances are as good or better than most If you're putting in the work and following PM site protocols . Do you have housing similar to the those offered at your area's existing colony(s)? This isn't a must, but it could help if returning scouts are looking for a new home. Have you tried the Daw...

Awesome Keith!

Jeff

Alright Kathy! My first arrival is today as well - ASY female now waiting for some company!

Here's a more direct link to this particular event for those interested in attending. Springfield's Wild Birds Unlimited is loaning us a couple of their Trendsetter "display" units for the event. https://mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/165412 Keith, I hope you can make it - will be ...

Good luck Bill!

Jeff

Count me in for Springfield MDC office John. In fact, I'll contact them next week - my regional bus complex is within a couple miles of the Regional MDC office. One of the Springfield roost sites is just off Kearny right between us.

Keep ducking the martin houses!

Jeff

Good morning John, Just seeing your post about this event. I'd likely have made the 3.25 hr trek to visit with you and others and even offer lessons learned if you wanted, but my bus drivers are coming in from multiple counties for annual training on that day. I hope to be able to join you and/or ot...

Congrats Kathy, we exchange earliest arrivals again! Here's to wishing you good feeding over next few weeks, and to a companion arriving sooner than later. My first girl was here 2 weeks last year before 1st companion arrived.
Jeff

Great news Keith, let it begin. My lone girl is still here and doing fine, and i expect company will start showing up any day now. She vocalized cheer when i flipped her crickets on Sunday after the snow.
Jeff

Thanks for the report Greg, and best to you this year!

Jeff

Yeah Joe, I have 1 to 2 birds that show fairly early each year and the others follow about a week or so later. She's still a loner, out flying high overhead most of the day the last couple days, then darts right into the gourd @ 5:45pm without peep or fanfare. I have all cavities open since I'm not ...