Purple Martin Forum

That's what this forum is for, asking questions and learning from each other. I would recommend playing the dawn song near the housing, this will draw in Martins in the area to check out your housing. Prenesting the nest compartments with soft pine needles or the like, it helps them start their nest...

Mine are on an old style tv antenna that I have put up by my housing for Martin perches. I have thought about mounting some on the top of a 10' to 12' 2x4 stood on end. Then I could fasten the 2x4 to a near by fence. I could then go out and move them up and down the fence line to change it up a litt...

It may not be as likely to attract an ASY bird to start your colony, but it definitely does happen. When trying to attract your first birds, try everything possible. You never know what circumstances will cause them to come to your site. The only thing your out is your effort. Even though the Dawn S...

I would guess your colony has started. The Nut is going to make it happen for you. Fingers crossed.
Jeff

Hopefully others will respond with their setup that they have had sucess with as well. I have a large open area to the South of my house, so I put my housing approximately 90 foot from the trees around my house. My trees are within 15 to 20 feet of my house, so we're talking 100 to 110 feet from my ...

Birds,
How far is your martin house from your house. It looks a long way from any buildings etc.. I'm definitely not an expert, but they do like to be near human activity and feel safe near human houses.
Jeff

I'm pulling for ya!
Jeff

It runs off of electricity. The bird magnet, decoys and prenested gourds is what I believe got my first birds.
Jeff

I would if it were me. I used the bird magnet because it was easy to set up by my housing, but the dawn song CD sounds much better. Either one will definitely pull them in to investigate your housing if they're in the area.
Jeff

Well, I think it's on there, but it got turned side ways somehow.
Jeff

I thought i could just attach a picture from my phone gallery, but it does not show up when I preview my reply. Any ideas what I need to do?

Jeff

In previous years I would find my decoys on the ground some distance from where I had them setting, so I know a hawk or owl had hit them. Someone on this forum was talking about mounting the decoy on a spring. I got a short spring at the locol hardware store and turned the spring up into the bottom ...

I agree and have heard others say that if you attract an ASY male, he will start your colony. Give him time and hang in there.

Jeff

As for a lot of things, timing is everything. In some instances like this it's life or death.

Jeff

Very interesting, do the sy birds continue to gain more color throughout the season or does that only happen with another molt?

Jeff

Can some of the experienced landlords use this bird as an example and explain what characteristics you are looking at the most for identification?

Jeff

The part I am focused on is the purple feathers below its leg...

Jeff

If you don't have a decoy, you might give that a try also. After over 10 yrs of trying, l got my first Martins a couple years ago. I was playing the dawn song and had a decoy sitting on an antenna a short distance from my gourds and housing. An asy male was first seen setting by the decoy as if it w...

Nothing scientific here, but this will be my second year as a landlord. I set up my dawnsong incase no birds returned and I needed to play it. I had one ASY male return and was here for awhile by himself. I decided to play the dawnsong in the morning to attract more attention. The ASY male did not s...

Don't fret the SREH's. When I got my first birds to stay last year, they would ignore my Trio Castle with round holes. They went directly to my gourd rack which has Conley 11 entrances. They struggled to get in, but kept trying until they figured it out. Jeff