Purple Martin Forum

I'm really happy to hear he did ok. You did a superb job. That's such a good pic too. That little guy had terrible odds against him but you certainly fudged the odds back towards him. Really puts a smile on my face. He's got a lot more dangers left but he sure got off to a healthy start. Great going...

How's the lone chick?

Yep, i put tunnels on every BO type gourd.. they are great for hawks and an easy modification

I have 2 bo11s, 6 Big Bos, and 8 Bo9s. The Bo11s and Big BOs are always selected first.

I wish the BO11 didn't weigh so much. They arenreally nice. I'm considering buying the newer BO9 Plus, martins seem to like that darkness the inner layer provides

Yeah, he looks very healthy and ready to take on the world. Good job!

David

Good to hear. Poor lil fella has many obstacles in his path over the next few months. It's amazing how in just a few more weeks he'll be in South America (if all goes well). Amazing stuff in nature.

Second thought.. after googling Buffalo Gnat.. don't think that was it at all. Pretty sure it was mites. I did see adults feeding on tiny "no see-ums" while perching and on the porches, but these were very small insects. Not the size of the flies. And I did see a gourd crawling with very tiny bugs.....

Thanks for all the tips.. next season I'll use Sevin regularly. I've used it every year Inhad martins. I don't know why, but decided not to use it.. didn't seem like It woukd be that critical. Apparently so. People around here tell me to use it often,na tsp on inside porch so parents track it in, or...

My notes on the 2020 season. Sorry for being long but maybe people can learn from this and spot something to help me out. After a long 6 years of nothing (at a new location), this season was a giant “180”. 4 nests, 22 eggs, 15 hatchlings. I think the biggest reason for finally getting PMs to stay a...

Be on the lookoit for an SY male. They have been know to drag babies out (I've experienced it muself) and dump them nearby to try and break up a pair.

Another possibility is the others died and the mama pulled them out??

I lost several just a week or so from fledging. The nests were infested with mites. The mites killed them. It was a real shame. I treated all the gourds and houses and that solved it. Many re nested and fledged successful after treatment. All we can do is learn and better our management for next ye...

Does your housing have extra ventilation such as PVC elbows? Your first year means they probably got a late start which means more heat, especially in Louisiana. That many dead birds sounds like heat related illness to me. I have 2 PCV elbows on each gourd and I drilled extra holes in the bottom of...

yeah I was checking twice a week. Well, basically on Thursday and Sunday afternoon.... Such a frustrating year for having so much activity after a long draught of nothing. I can't help but think I let these guys down. I have plenty of Sevon dust but didnt really think I was needing any til very late...

My notes on the 2020 season. Sorry for being long but maybe people can learn from this and spot something to help me out. After a long 6 years of nothing (at a new location), this season was a giant “180”. 4 nests, 22 eggs, 15 hatchlings. I think the biggest reason for finally getting PMs to stay an...

Spoke too soon!!! this morning the pair that had their babes killed was back... As well as the male SY, who able to lure the female into his apartment. She popped into the compartment with him and seems to have settled on him,, the male ASY seems perplexed. Nature is harsh. Gonna have a late batch o...

Well, the two survivors were found dead in their nest when I returned home after three days away. Not sure if the male SY did this or possibly a male HS. There is a male HS hanging around now and he placed little pieces of grass in three empty gourds. And Good news, another batch of eggs hatched. 5 ...

Thanks Mike— Yeah, I dont plan to do anything , and just go with nature. I’m away from the house Mon-Thurs and usually arrive home but evening time on Thurs, so most things are forced to be left alone. I do worry a bit about wing entrapment and other things that would require my help while away, but...

One of my SY males has reduced a nest with 4 hatchlings down to two , but I think the mama and papa has him under control. He was really determined to break up that pair but things have calmed down quite a bit. Ive got two more nests with eggs scheduled to hatch any moment, so he may be causing more...

My first batch has started to hatch... three other nests to go!!

I have eastern kingbirds in my yard. pretty birds. Have never seen them fight with the martins. They ignore each other. dave They are very pretty and fun to watch them hover. I’ve never seen them mess with martins either, but the martins seem to like to start the tussle. Lol. I keep thinking “Hey g...