Purple Martin Forum

I live in Kansas City and had 1 male return on the Saturday that it snowed. I tried to feed him but he never would eat anything. Last Wednesday when I got home from work he was in the yard trying to fly up to one of my gourds but he could not make it. I brought him in and had him in a cage, he was v...

I saw 1 male martin today sitting on my gourds, not sure if he spent the night or not but I know this is the earliest I have ever had a martin return. My usual return date is between March 23rd and the 27th.

I would say its not to late, I have 2 pair of SY's that have just started laying eggs, so hopefully yours will come back and start families at your place.

Kathy I started with 2 houses and could only get 3 or 4 pair every year. I then started adding gourds and that's all the martins would nest in. I finally removed the houses and only have gourds now and I'm usually at least 90 percent full. I know a couple sites near me just have houses and they are ...

I want to thank everyone for the help with my starling problem. It's hard to believe that for the first time in 4 years or maybe 5 that all these starlings are getting in my conley II entrances. I have not made any modifications yet since the martins have started egg laying and I don't want to disru...

Thanks Kathy and Mark....I will work on the changes...the problem is I work the next 2 days so hopefully he will not do any more damage until I can get them fixed.
Art

For the first time I have had a starling get into my troyer gourds with the conley 2 entrance. When I put the trap on it he moves on to a different gourd and starts building in it. I'm afraid he has already chased away a couple a pairs of martins...and it is so cold and windy here and I don't know w...

I hope they have some friends that stay at your place Mama

I had 2 ASY males show up this evening. The weather is not the greatest but suppose to be good this weekend. I know one of them came back late this evening so hopefully he will be bringing the rest of them back soon.

Kathy
Well the sun finally came out here in Kansas City today and I did a nest check this evening. I found one ASY female dead, and I'm really happy thats all there was as nasty as the weather has been.
You have a excellent looking colony, and I hope your nest check tomorrow is all good.

Art

Craig Sorry to hear about your loss. I worked early today so had to wait until evening to see how mine looked. Of course there was a hawk here and waiting for them so they came back really late but a few were setting outside and looked pretty good. Hopefully have a couple more warm days before the n...

Craig
My martins looked ok tonite, some of them had their wings hanging low also, just hope they can make it until tomorrow as the weather forecast sounds pretty good. I work early in the morning so will not be able to check on them until late tomorrow afternoon. Hope yours are doing well also.
Art

Candace & Dave,
That is great news that you had minimal loss as I did. I hope they are filling themselves up today and the next couple of days as it is suppose to be rainy and cool again next week for a couple of days. I wish you both success this season.
Art

Candace, I would lower and check also. I just got done doing mine here in Kansas City and all of mine had left. As I was checking I seen some way up flying around so hope they were finding food. Mine were really weak also so hoping this helps them get there strength back. Hope everything turns out o...

Martins were all finally able to get out and hunt for food today, so had time to check all of my gourds. I had one asy female caught in the entrance of one of the troyer gourds, it must have happened late last night since I checked around 7pm yesterday. I do feel lucky that was all I lost since I co...

Hey Jack I live in North KC and am really worried about my colony. I have tried flipping some crickets but can not get any to accept them. I have not lost any yet this year but not sure they will make it until saturday when its suppose to get warmer. Was thinking about putting a board across my bird...

Hey Jack I live in North KC and am really worried about my colony. I have tried flipping some crickets but can not get any to accept them. I have not lost any yet this year but not sure they will make it until saturday when its suppose to get warmer. Was thinking about putting a board across my bird...

A big group of ASY males showed up here today, unfortunately I am almost full. I hope they move on to others that need them, but they were really fighting and trying to take over gourds that are already occupied.

I am glad to hear that Candace. I hope you have a great season also, and may the weatherman be wrong for a change and it stays warm. I have already seen more martins hear this afternoon so maybe they will all stay together and keep warm if the weatherman is right.

Art

I had 2 asy males and 3 asy females here this morning. Still have some snow on the ground in the shady spots but it is a nice day. A little worried about Monday and Tuesday as it is suppose to get pretty cold with a high in the 30's. I wouldn't be real worried but I will be out of town, maybe things...