Purple Martin Forum

Got my new sparrow traps yesterday from PMCA and was wondering if I could tear out existing nests and place traps where the nests were. I have one compartment with 2 two week old purple martins in the same house, so I don't want to cause any sparrow revenge at this point. Any thoughts or previous ex...

We actually have a roll of that stuff, but couldn't figure out how we could put it to use since there is nothing to tie it to. If we could figure something out, the martins will just fly up under it?

Interesting. But I would think those would be helpful when it's straight up noon. In late afternoon when the sun is at its hottest, I don't see how that could help much; unless the birds are in the very top compartments. The beach umbrella we tried was really ideal because it can cock over to the si...

My husband and I put a large beach umbrella on top of a pole yesterday evening along with a mister. The momma was freaking out for about an hour, and then finally just disappeared. So, we took it back down. But we never saw the momma return and even watched until it got too dark to see. So I hope we...

I know you're right; nature takes its course. And I also know that I get WAY too emotionally attached. But I just can't help myself. It's supposed to be 107 today which I know will kill them off if I don't do something. Plan to take off early and come home to provide them with ice packs and a mister...

I'm sorry too. Have been in a horrible funk all day. Then, came home from work today to find that one of my three remaining babies had jumped due to the horrible heat we had today; 103. And tomorrow is supposed to be about 105. So I'll probably find the remaining two tomorrow. I took them down today...

Oh my God! That breaks my heart! He was in such good shape this morning! I'm simply at a loss for words.

Yes, rr martins took him and he looked perfectly content with his new brothers and sisters. He's going to have lots of company. Marty has a great colony and has promised to keep me posted on his well being. He even Had one fledge while I was there! I feel soooo good that I saved his life! And, thank...

Oh goody! Then I'm especially glad that I ordered 2 of those traps last night. Can't wait to reduce the sparrow population. I've destroyed a bunch of their eggs this season. But, unfortunately they've gotten their revenge and destroyed a lot of my Martin eggs too. Hopefully I won't have to pull so m...

No, I'm afraid I don't. But that's a great idea. If any readers out there are in the Austin/Pflugerville/Round Rock/Georgetown area and have a clutch between 2-3 weeks old, please let me know and I will be happy to bring him over.

The saga continues. Called the rehabber and got a voice message that she is on hiatus and not accepting any animals and asked that nobody leave her a message. :v((

I'm happy to report that he is doing well this morning and has eaten his lite breakfast of scrambled egg. He's moving around some in the box and can now hold his head up. i'll be giving the suggested rehabber a call here in a little bit. i almost hate to give him up now, but i know i must. thanks so...

Thanks very much. I'll give them a call in the morning. I just peeked in on the little guy; so far, so good. It's asleep and breathing just fine. I liked my sisters words of encouragement. She said for me to just remember that it has a better chance with me than it had in that compartment, no matter...

It actually ate pretty well and it looks better already. I made it a nest of straw in the shoebox, left the lid open about an inch, and put it to bed in a dark quiet place since it is well past it's normal bedtime. If nothing else, it has to feel better to get out of the relentless Texas heat; was 1...

You're right Loise! It does eat when I open it's mouth with my fingernails! It's obviously very scared though and it keeps pooping in the box

It is actually chirping now. But it smells terrible after lying in its siblings decaying bodies. You're probably right about it's parents, but both of them? Should I clean the compartment, build a new nest, and hope somebody comes back to feed it? I have one more nest with babies, but they are only ...

Had a nest of 4 babies, approximately 3 weeks old. Just did a nest check because i didnt see any parents bringing any bugs for awhile and found three of them dead, to the point of decomposing. One remains alive, but in pretty bad shape. Have it in a shoebox in my house. It looks at me, but won't ope...

First of all, I noticed one of my new hatchlings on the porch of my Trio. So I lowered the house, it was squirming, and I placed it back in the nest, noticing that it appeared smaller than the others. Next day: came home from work, glanced up, and could see a baby on the porch again. Upon lowering, ...

I too have a couple of late nests. I've had some already fledge. Right now I have some 2 day old babies and a nest with 6 eggs that haven't yet hatched. I just hope they're not so late that they don't survive the impending Texas heat and drought.

I have some babies that are fledging now. Will they return to their compartment each evening? If yes, will they stick around until it's time for them to head back to South America?