I thought I'd post it in a new thread in hopes more people would see this important tool. Brad, Years ago I read about the "Lewis Mod". I can not remember if I first read it here or on the Purple Martin Update. I must say I was skeptical. I had 6 Troyer vertical gourds hanging under a housing compl...

In Iowa and tuffer than me! I saw my first ASY male on the porch of a Trio today. He had not triggered the camera due to all the ice. I went out to remove the plugs. This took a long time as the pole on the Trio Grampa had Ice on it that needed to be removed so I could lower the house. As he patient...

:| Back to the title of this post, In ALL my landlording years, I've Never had a P.M who would wait for me to dive directly at my face & get closer Every Day, Like this ASY Male P.M who perched on top of pole #1. The last time he did it I could have reached out & grabbed Him ! I've never seen an ope...

My husband has an air rifle, Gamo, single cock, pellet gun. We can't seem to hit the broadside of a barn at this point. We have him in the scope (had it professional calibrated) and we just can't get him. I tried with my little BB gun, and I did nick him last night, but they were back with a vengea...

I now have four mother birds killed on their nest, totally eaten up stomachs, no idea what’s going on. This is just crazy, all my birds being killed and house is covered in martins. Can’t solve the problem if I don’t know what’s happening. rrmartins I feel your pain and the solutions can be complic...

Doug I have had a bird for 5 years that would hover in front of my face and "chortle" upon returning and just hover in my face whenever food was in short supply. That bird probably had more to do with teaching the rest of the flock to feed than I did. Your statement about your hen, "she turned into ...

At 8:30 this morning I went outside and spotted a Purple Martin sitting on the top bar of a lowered Trio Grampa. I removed the pool noodles from the crescents and raised the house. Went inside to grab crickets and eggs. Back out and started flipping. He would not take any crickets but immediately to...

Looks like their off and running, to put it in horse racing terms. I just noticed there are to 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. ...

So thankful this is over. Gives me an appreciation of what all you folks up north go through. Sharon Sharon congrats on doing a good job and thank you! Some of those birds could end up at our colony. Many of the birds I supply heat and food for are traveling north of me. I'm no scientist but common...

Bob Flam
I found the clip...enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_R6qyOM5a8

Paule

I was wondering if that groundhog saw it's shadow back at the beginning of February

I saw on the news they arrested that ground hog and toted it off to jail!

Hey Birdguy, I tried this back in the day. A pinch of Sevin and installed complete old nest into several cavities. I had a friend do the very same thing last year. I can still remember his call that morning describing how disgusting it was! :shock: Last year he got more visitors but no nesting. Hope...

Below picture shows a cold, windy and snowy April 15th 2018. Three birds waiting to be fed. One decoy used mainly as my early warning system and to give Martins a chance to escape from danger above. Ed's comment was interesting to me. As I remember, I didn't have much luck getting the martins to use...

We observed two SY-M's at 1:30 pm in Grundy Center, Iowa today. Three days earlier than last year. Had to get going shortly after so didn't observe how much chaos they may have caused at our site.
Paul

Tim, I'm staying around 30 - 35. Two days ago (Sat) my numbers were up but a group moved on. A friend north of me got birds the same day. His first this year. Now back to about 33. A guess is 60% M 40% F also. Two SYF, zero SYM's so far. They have been using our colony as a stop over this year more ...

Lancaster House,
I totally agree with what flyin-lowe recommended. Trying to follow that plan should lead to success.
Paul

Otee977, I have two hens that take the ride down and back up when they have eggs. This year I noticed one hen doing this and no eggs yet. As far as the spread wings, this sounds like bird behavior of being overheated. This could be from fighting. I used to see this after capturing a caged bird or so...

Used to raise and show different grass keets originating from Australia. Part of their defense in the wild was loosing their tail from various attacks preserving their life. If the martins hold true to them, his tail should be complete in a month.

Mike,
Just a guess but if you have any SY males around one could be the culprit of the chick removal. Personally not witnessed this but heard of it. No nighthawks here yet but local hospital roof produces quite a few chicks.
Here's to a good year.
Paul

wmfamily, ours seem to prefer the courser material also. Some of the bean straw they are using looks more like sticks. If gathered after a rain the experienced form them in a good looking nest. The inexperienced not so much. I am using oat straw at the moment. Enjoy them gathering the stuff you prov...