Purple Martin Forum

chickadee wrote:barn swallows are great for fly's!

For some unclear reason last year, we didn't have any Barn Swallows nest at our farm. Hopefully they'll return this year. Have you ever used "corncob ledges" for Barn Swallows to nest on?

Seth it is called: Troyer's Sparrow-resistant Bluebird House, also called the Poly Tuf Bluebird House. I actually bought the Deluxe Bluebird Set, with house, preditor guard, and pole. Was amazed how soon they took to it. Oh okay, then we're both talking about the same box (mine are all wood though)...

White River Valley Martin wrote:I have 5 in already, which is way early, the 4th ASY male arrived yesterday and I sure cant see that, it was cold and breezy here yesterday and about 35 degrees

Chris

No, Indiana weather has not yet been fit for aerial insectivores. Hopefully that will change soon.

Seth, You are right ! The birds really know what's going on. Anyway, to answer your question about the Tree Swallows, I saw a few about (2) days ago; then they have disappeared. The weather as you know is fluctuating so much that the swallows probably can't determine what to do next. I would almost...

I added a Troyer Deluxe Bluebird Box to the yard on Friday and Bluebirds were in it on Sunday. Sparrow resistant with predator guard. Thought that was amazing. Which nestbox are you talking about? I have two Troyer sparrow-resistant nestboxes (or Troyer nestbox). If you have it, is it the nestbox d...

I host a number of species that I deliberately target, and I build nest boxes specifically for certain species. The majority is bluebirds, but also a large number of prothonotary warblers (my personal favorite), and great crested flycatchers use my nest boxes. I also have a couple of nest boxes for...

Congratulations on the arrival of your second martin! Yes, I do believe birds (including martins) sometimes know more about the weather than we do.
Have you seen any Tree Swallows yet?

Bulldog1, Thanks for pictures, especially the one of the two nestlings; your getting me excited! :) I'm planning on putting up a SuperGourd on a S&K Tri-Tel pole near the edge of our neighbors' woodland. Glad to see someone else who's had success with attracting GCFLs to gourds. Courtney, Thanks for...

Yes, we've also been watching that nest cam. Very interesting! A bluebirding friend sent me the link back in February, and we've been enjoying it ever since.

Courtney,
What kind of housing do your Great Crested Flycatchers use. We're planning on trying to attract them for the first time this year (they always hang around our property), and any advice from experienced GCFL landlords would be greatly appreciated!

When do martins normally arrive at your colony? I haven't paid that close of attention to your past scout reports.

ASY Male arrived as I just pulled up to the garage. I thought I was hearing things. Then I looked up and there he was. This is the earliest that I have ever seen them come. And the beat goes on ! A neighbor and I began thinking about getting our housing systems up when we saw your early scout repor...

Last year when a pair attempted (unsuccessfully) to nest at our site (which prior to that had been unoccupied), the ASY male and SY female showed up together. So the question is, when exactly does the "pairing up" take place?

Being new to the forum, I'd be interested to know what other native breeding birds forum members host besides martins, and what their level and/or extent of involvement is with these birds. While waiting to attract martins, in the meantime I've come to thoroughly enjoy the many other birds who have ...