Let us know how their young turn out.

Tim,
I’ve been on pins and needles for the past two weeks since they entered the state. Have a great year.
Dave

You don't suppose the Martin's prefer being here in North America where "we" do all we can to care for them, and they only go to South America to keep from starving and freezing to death. Between the driving force to breed and our companionship, I think they can't wait to be back in the good old US ...

That one is difficult, looking at the tail chevrons and the blotchy breast I would almost vote SY male. Have you heard it's call yet?

Looks like their off and running, to put it in horse racing terms. I just noticed there are 2 scout reports for Iowa, and 1 is almost clear to I-80. I guess I'll do my best to get my site put together and erected tomorrow. I just new this is what would happen. Our weather is so strange anymore. Yest...

I see there are scout reports in Missouri and Indiana. They must be chomping at the bit to move north. Here in the Des Moines area this am we were less than 10 deg. and with a min of 4" snow pack. I don't plan on setting up my site for another 1-2 weeks, but I received an order of hand warmers and m...

I just ordered some hand warmers. I don’t want to get caught without any like last year. I had a group stop at my place during an April snow storm last year. I checked several stores in they area and they were all out for the season. The PM’s road it out alright by packing into a few compartments, b...

Dave /John,
Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it from both of you guys. I know you both have experience in the situation. I am confident the park manager and I will agree on something.

thanks again,

Dave

Gang, I am in the process of selling the idea of erecting a site at a public park. I know there are several of you that have taken on this venture, and I am very interested in knowing any of the suggestions you have from the experience you have gained in doing this. I need all the help you can give ...

The good thing about having the cable on the outside of the pole, it can be readily used to register the rack or house to prevent them from spinning around the pole. This as you have read is important. Everything must always face the same direction.

Hey everyone, This may seem an obvious post for us old timers in the landlord business, but I thought it might save some heartache for the newbies who just started their colonies. Crickets online take some time to reach your place, so it is vital to have your crickets ready for supplement feeding o...

Gang, A couple weeks ago I watched the Eagles of Decorah on public TV. Wow, what a powerful story. This kind of centered around one man's (Mr. Anderson) dedication to these majestic birds. This makes our job of caring for Purple Martin's seem not quite so labor intensive. The original nest was blown...

So maybe the groundhog was right down south anyway. Believe me, the jury's still out on that up north, we've got a real mess. I sure hope things start turning around real soon. I've had my fill of this winter, even thought it got started late, we have more than made up for that.

Thanks Dave ,but truth is... this is one of those folks that are better left alone. He lives about 40 minutes away from his buisiness and has martins there at his home,he said. He strikes me as one of those obstinate folks that just can’t be helped. I offered a full and complete service asking noth...

Hey Clivia , yes he actually knows better but doesn’t wanna bother. I told him plug all the holes for the off season and open when he spots martins. He said he doesn’t have any plugs,and I said I would quickly empty out the house and gourds,loan him my plugs and just leave a few holes open for the ...

All the house sparrows I've ever observed, just love to hang out on the porch and be disgusting. My personal opinion is it makes the trap more inviting.

I got all my horizontals vented in the back too. Using a 3/4" (outside threads) to 1/2" (slick inside, for 1/2" pipe) PVC elbow for vent. Using two on each gourd. One side of the elbow has 3/4' threads (into the back of the gourd) The 1/2" end fits a 1/2 PVC pipe. So I made 1 1/2 " pipe pieces, stu...

Thomas Edward Cox (1925-2019)of Danville, Kentucky past away January 23, 2019. The article in the Advocate-Messenger says he was a Purple Martin landlord, and a Veteran of WWII and Korea.

Dave,
Hopefully in 2019 I'll get to put this into practice, but maybe I will just play a radio, so the neighbors won't think I have totally gone off the deep end.

Happy Holiday's

Dave

One other thing I would like to add. Give some careful thought to installing a through bolt in your poles, this will create week point when the wind blows, making it easier for your pole to fail (bend or break) at that point. As an alternative, make some kind of a safety device that straps to the po...