Purple Martin Forum

This is another reason to do frequent nest checks. It would be much easier to formulate a reason for the death of these two without so much time between discovery. Fighting over mates often occurs inside cavities. extreme weather incidents, resulting in starvation due to lack of flying insects, that...

I’ve had 18 gourds on a 2 inch pole for years. Converted it to all ChirpyNest houses four years ago. Picture shows 20 ChirpyNest cavities. 12 singles and 2- 4 compartment houses. It’s been through many storms at full mast. However I do try to lower it about three feet if I know a storm is on its way...

You aren’t too far from me in Abingdon VA if I can help you in any way feel free to contact me. I manage several sites including one on the campus of Virginia Highlands Community College. Tom you’re awesome. We might take a fun trip one weekend and come up your way. I think I’d just be totally over...

You aren’t too far from me in Abingdon VA if I can help you in any way feel free to contact me. I manage several sites including one on the campus of Virginia Highlands Community College.

I’m looking for E Tn Landlords to connect with for information and perhaps an opportunity for helpful hints with PM setups. I think it would be such a great thing and might encourage others to startup their own colonies with support. Jhcox I’d love to come visit your site...you’re not too far from ...

4'th year coming up trying to get that first pair. Finally decided to cut down the largest tree in my yard. The tree was 40 feet from martin pole but was 60 feet tall and 50 feet wide. It was definitely a hawk magnet. I watched a hawk launch from this tree once and hit a decoy. I cut this tree down...

steve r wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 19, 2020 8:28 am

What are the boxes on the pole with the gourds?

Steve
Those are ChirpyNest houses.

I believe offering variety would help in attracting that first pair but make sure the site meets the recommended criteria. Open flyways mainly and distance from trees. If you haven’t tried the dawn song I would highly recommend trying it, especially if you haven’t seen martins investigating. Number ...

September 27 and this martin, a female or HY young has been returning each night since July 31 when my last birds fledged. I’ve never heard it vocalize. Comes in right at sunset , circles once or twice and tucks into one of the three top ChirpyNest cavities on this pole. I’ve watched every night an...

I would guess it's a HY. Some get left behind by their parents. I had one stay late one year & worried we'd have to catch it & feed it all winter, which isn't usually possible. It finally left. Eventually yours should head south. This year I had a chick that got left behind. Parents didn't come bac...

Tom that is strange, the urge to migrate is a strong one; wonder why the heck she/he keeps coming back? looks like your area temps will be in for a change. I hope that Martin takes the hint and heads south for it's own sake. We will see. I thought she had moved on as I did not see her return Thursd...

October 1st and again this martin returns to spend the night. I’m wondering if she will ever leave.

September 27 and this martin, a female or HY young has been returning each night since July 31 when my last birds fledged. I’ve never heard it vocalize. Comes in right at sunset , circles once or twice and tucks into one of the three top ChirpyNest cavities on this pole. I’ve watched every night and...

I think you will have good luck increasing the colony this year. Sounds like you are ready to go. I’m not too far from you , in in Abingdon va. Second and third year went from three to eleven pairs then grew steadily after that. Good luck. I’m looking for my first birds to arrive around March 10 but...

Chances are excellent provided the birds survive the migration. Even though they will be adult birds they probably won’t be among the first to arrive in your area so if you see scout reports popping up around you. Don’t panic.

I have seven poles and trying to come up with a numbering system. Thinking of giving each pole a letter A thru G then each compartment a consecutive number starting with 1 such as A1, A2...B1,B2... And so on. Any better suggestions? Each pole has some gourds and some house compartments. Past years ...

I have seven poles and trying to come up with a numbering system. Thinking of giving each pole a letter A thru G then each compartment a consecutive number starting with 1 such as A1, A2...B1,B2... And so on. Any better suggestions? Each pole has some gourds and some house compartments. Past years I...

Today when checking a tree swallow box I found the resident dead in the box and its head was gone. I suspect a predator reached in and grabbed the bird by the head and couldnt get it out so it ended with only the head. I have had this same thing happen with a couple of martin gourds in the past. I s...

Thanks Louise.
Kathy. Very interesting article. The natural world is always fascinating. I never realized the diversity of "Martin food" and the height which it is found.

I am lying here in my hammock watching the Martin's soar enjoying the sunny evening. It got me wondering what is the altitude that martins are at when they feed and fly in this leisurely way. I know it varies but at times they are a barely visible speck.