Purple Martin Forum

Hi everyone, Just got back on the forum after our albeit short winter. But with the weather the way it has been everywhere, it is hard telling what can happen between now and Spring. You all scared me with this talk of early birds so hubby and I spent today taking down our houses and gourds and clea...

Hi John, Welcome to the forum. You have made a wise choice in picking out the gourd system. Sometimes the martins will go to gourds when they won't go to regular housing. I live just north of Austin and we have a lot of martins here too. I didn't get any my first year, but had a lot of interest. We ...

Ken, Your story is so inspiring! Like Laverne, I had tears by the time I finished reading it. Congratulations. After so many years and so much persistence, you deserve the joy and happiness you now have with what would seemingly be an impossible task. Hopefully there will be other Western sites erec...

Dora, We have had the quad pod system (8 pods) for two years now. The first year we didn't attract any nesting martins (although there were a LOT of looky loos) and the second year we moved it closer to our house and added horizontal gourds. A very territorial ASY male who attracted a beautiful SY f...

Thank you for your replies Laverne and Holly. I have to agree with you both :-). Either they are on their way there to Highland or out flying around once they get there. Hows that for sitting on the fence (LOL). Whichever the case, it has been quite a sight to behold.
Sharon

We live about 35-40 mi. north of the Highland roost. For about the past 3-4 weeks martins have been visiting our house almost every day. Not just a couple of martins, but today I saw probably around 100! As many as can get on the perch, others on the porches and several fly around it. Do you think t...

Hi Laverne, Yes, as a matter of fact, I have been seeing quite a few visitors. Gives me hope for next season after our snake mishap. Maybe getting that gourd w/snake in it off so quickly helped. BTW, we actually tossed the gourd - just didn't want a chance that any martins could figure out a snake h...

Carlton, When you find the answer, let me know too :-). I have a male sparrow who keeps eluding me. All I have to do is unlock the window and he is GONE. Even though I don't have any martins now, I just don't like the idea of the sparrows gaining ground in my gourds. I may just go ahead and plug the...

Sharon,
Congratulations on your commitment to getting martins for so many years and finally succeeding!!! I wish you all the best for a successful season and the beginning of your own colony. Watch out for those predators!
Sharon in TX

Scully, What wonderful photos of your martins in action. Like Laverne said, it also made me happy but sad too, especially after the loss of mine. I only got to see them thru about day 12. I remember thinking how cute they were the first few days and then suddenly they got SO UGLY. What happened :-)....