Purple Martin Forum

Adam,

I think those are Bohemian Waxwing Eggs.

Brad,

Very sad to hear. A bit of advice that I have learned is to promote swallow nesting (barn swallows in particular). We have 5 barn swallow nests in our yard. We also have occupied tree swallow boxes. Barn Swallows are very fast flyers and see hawks immediately, and will sound alarms congregating both...

Hi Adam,

You can shoot me a text 960-9308.

Hi Archer,

I built a feeder platform a number of years ago for my northern location. Martins never stayed so I never used it. I just threw a bunch of oyster shell on the drive way seen a martin there picking at it.

Brad,

It would be a Eastern Kingbird. Had the exact same thing happening.

Brad,

I had one of these guys attack one of my subbies last week. Was pecking the sub adult male so hard you can actually hear its beak whack the subbies skull. Was a pretty aggressive bird. Looked just like the sub adult male same size and all. Just different character traits.

Brad,

Great to hear that you have an egg show up. Your Martins were kicking around a bit earlier than mine, so I think it may be some time before I will see any eggs.

Brad,

Archer, What are you using for your egg shell feeder, and do you just offer them the shells after you cook breakfast? Adam, I have not done any nest checks yet, but perhaps this weekend. I see many males taking green leaves into their compartments so I am sure egg laying will start soon if it has no...

Here is a photo from today. Had an 8th martin show up later today.

Brad,

Well it's been 9 days since my last update. Today I confirmed 3 nest building Females, with a total of 7 Martins at my T14. More are on their way. Hopefully we can get this T14 filled up. What a show these 7 Martins are putting on. Go Martins Go!

Brad,

Adam, Erected the T14 at this location the day my Birthday, May 17 2015. It now appears there are 4 Martins as of this evening. Seems to be 2 pairs with one pair confirmed to be nest building. I have 16 acres out here, so hoping to erect some more T14`s. Seems to me they are loving the creek that fl...

Adam, That's great to hear, sounds like they really like your house. My pair started building a nest over the last couple days. Flying down to the creek picking up mud, grass, etc. There is another martin with them and I cannot figure out if its a female of a sub male. However the female building th...

West Nile Spraying to my understanding does not kill the Mosquito. It will make the Mosquito's sterile so they will not be able to reproduce. I believe the spray is mainly intended for the Mosquito Larvae but I may be wrong. Your Martins should be fine to my knowledge.

Brad

Archer, Small world as they say. Unfortunately Canada Post has the last say. Hopefully the discount helps a bit. If you order bulk, songbirds will eat frozen insects so you can freeze them. Several Male and Female Martins have been here coming and going all day today. Seems to me that there is 1 ASY...

Adam,

Yes, me too fingers are crossed.

Our Hatchery is North of Prince Albert. It's a 2 1/2 hour drive north from Saskatoon, Best bet would be to have them shipped. But you are still welcome to stop by for visit .

Brad,

Looking good Adam, those subbies I am sure are enroute.

Brad,

Yesterday had a ASY-M show up. Today had the ASY-M bring a ASY-F, and they spent the whole day/evening at the house. They seem to really like our T14, and seem to be favoring one compartment. Spending long periods of time together in that one compartment :wink: . Set out a garbage can lid today and ...

Rob, Yeah the T14 is a great design and very easy to maintain etc. I bought the aluminum pipe at a specialty metal company in Saskatoon. I actually bought 2 so I can put up another T14. I am interested in the gourds will probably add for next year. If you don't mind send some photos of your setup. B...

Later today I confirmed sighting of 7 martins at this site. Very cool, hopefully some more bricks fall out .

So as mentioned in a previous post the Martins are nesting in the wall of an old brick building. Some of the bricks have deteriorated and have fallen out. The Martins are using the cavities to nest in. I have observed them nest last year in the wall and again as of today they are back ready for anot...

Yes, that's it!

Brad,