Purple Martin Forum

I did a mid day nest check on Sunday and had 3 young fledge while raising the racks back up. All of them flew very well so I assume that they will be fine. Also found the first gourd in the 5 years that I have been having Martins that has mites. A little 7 dust will fix that.

I plan on going just that another setup of decoys on the other side of the racks. That may have to wait until next year.

Hey Whippy the hawk struck a again one of the decoys was turn face down when I went outside a few minutes ago. I have a long piece of bamboo that I use the right the decoy it annoys the Martins a little but it’s worth it. I have not witnessed him getting any Martins or any evidence that he has gotte...

Whichever house you use old or new place 4 troyer horizontal gourds To the bottom of the house just to give the Martins another option to nest in. At my site in East Tennessee my martins prefer the 3 Varieties of gourds that I have and will not touch the house that I have up. Don’t know why but they...

Peter I would not think it would bother the parents if you are able to do it in a quick way. I would worry more about the length of time it will take to pull the young from the gourd put them in a box clean out the old nest put in the new nest with alittle 7 dust. If you have the new gourd already p...

Hey Whippy I took you up on the advice. I Used two pieces of bamboo about 8 feet high and mounted them on poles that are around four feet high. I placed a Long ride between the two and placed four decoys along the rod close together to look like several Martin’s perched together. Not sure what kind ...

That’s a good idea Whippy I might figure out a way to give that a try a my sight. O ya I forgot to mention I got some bottle rocks to help scare him away.

I have all thread rods as my perches at the top of the poles. I drill a hole in the decoy just a bit smaller than the all thread and screw the decoy on to the all thread. It’s on there pretty tight but if a hawk or owl hits it it will turn up or down. Also you can move it back and forth along the al...

That’s right Whippy anything we can do to make it safer for our Martins.

W was sitting on the back patio this morning when out of nowhere ones a small hawk trying to get a martin. All the Martins scattered and he was only left with a decoy to grab at. All of the Martins chased him into the next county. If you newbie landlords don’t have decoys up get them could save your...

Good answer Dave. A master bander doesn’t just come out to your house and band the birds for the sake of doing it. It’s research that help them track and keep up with the birds numbers and health. The master bander that came to my colony today also brought two park rangers from a near by wildlife sa...

Well we completed the baby Martin banding today we were able to band 20 young Martins today. The master bander will be back next week to band the birds that were to small to band on this trip. So in some way I really hope that this helps in the research of these birds in the future. Maybe next year ...

Hey Diane you would have to look on line in the state that you live in. And some time you can check with wildlife sanctuaries as well as bird watching sanctuaries. They usually have yearly banding at those sights maybe they could get you a couple of numbers. I hope you fined someone. Have good seaso...

Came outside today around 4 and found 2 Martins in my repeating sparrow/starling trap. Never had this happen before has anyone else seen this happen.

I’m am filling very fortunate. Very blessed that he will take the time to do this for me. Years ago my wife setup a secret birthday party for me at his house To take part in a hummingbird banding that he does at his house. It was great getting to help him on those tiny birds. But to have him come to...

Hey everyone I just spoke to a master bird bander he advised me that he will be stopping by my PM colony next Monday to band some of my young Martins. I have 26 cavities with eggs and young birds. I’m hoping he will be able to band the birds that will be hatching later down the road. He is 1 of only...

Where is the largest roosting site in the state of Tennessee. I was hoping to try and go see it this fall. Thanks for any assistance.

Hey Duckcamp I would go ahead and put it up right now. Think positive the Martins when they migrate south will see and even stop in and look at your new rack. They may choose to return to it next year especially the SYs. Have a great season and stay positive that your colony will grow next year.

I went out to do nurse checks today and I found an egg on the porch of one of the gourds kind of dirty looking. Should I put it back in the gourd or leave it alone I know sometimes the Martin’s know if the egg is bad or not and will remove it just wondering what to do thanks I went out to do nurse c...

Have you tried putting mirrors in the back of the gourds or compartments and a couple of decoys in a few of the compartments are gourds. You can also smear mud on your porch is an entrance and just inside the entrance to make your gourd look like it has been used before. As far as the dawn song I pu...