Purple Martin Set Up 2009

by Gene
(Kansas)

This was the Wild-Bird-Watching.com Purple Martin Set Up for 2009.

Two S&K Best Houses converted to 6 large rooms each.

We added 8 of the new S&K Bo-11 Plus Gourds to the 4 Combo Plus Gourds that we had last year.

This year we also added a winch and a new rack system that held both houses and all 12 gourds.

Life was much easier doing our weekly nest checks.

Again this year we had a single pair that successfully raised and fledged 6 babies.

We had a break out of mites when the Purple Martin nestlings were about two weeks old.

I did a complete nest change and added 1/4 teaspoon of Sevin to the nest.

Now it's mid-July and we are getting a lot of visitors that I hope are imprinting this location so that they nest here next season.

Here's to 2010!

Our Purple Martin Setup

by Gene
(Kansas)

This is the city Purple Martin setup by Wild-Bird-Watching.com

It consist of Two S&K 12 Family Best House Martin Houses. Four S&K Big Bo Gourds and the two end gourds are S&K Combo Plus Gourds.

The houses have been modified to larger compartments. Each house now has six compartments that are 6 x 12 instead of the smaller 6 x 6. Research suggest Purple Martins may prefer these larger sizes. May add some security from predators.

All Gourds have been fitted with S&K Ultimate Clinger Tunnels for European Starling control. The tunnels add more horizontal room and the clinger opening has been effective in keeping starlings out while making it easy for Purple Martins to enter.

All this housing is on a S&K EZ-Lift Pole. We added an additional section of pole due to trees being close and to get it up above single story houses.

First Time Landlord

by Neal Cardin
(Sonora, KY)

My father and I put up 12 plastic gourds four years ago on our farm hoping to attract purple martins.

Several Amish families nearby have huge colonies in both houses and gourds and we were hoping for some to come to our gourds.

The nesting site is in an open area near a barn and the old farm house. No one lives in the site, but we are at the farm most every day.

For three years we would have 2-3 pairs of tree swallows nesting in the gourds, but no purples.

This year the tree swallows come in and appeared to start nesting. One day Dad said he watched a large, dark bird going in one of the gourds.

A couple days later I saw the said bird and realized it was a male purple martin. After this we continued to see several pairs coming to the nests. The tree swallows left the area and we do not know where they went.

Most of the 12 pairs we have nesting appear to be subadults. As of July 20 they were still tending the nests while many other landlords have said their colonies started leaving over the last two weeks.

To say we are thrilled is an understatement. Our plans are to put up more housing, both gourds and martin house, for next year in hopes of the colony returning. Other housing sites we have attempted have resulted in no nesting activity.

From Wild-Bird-Watching.com

Congratulations! Just make sure you let no other bird nest in the gourds ever.

Control House Sparrows and Starlings and your colony will continue to grow.

Check out http://www.purplemartin.org especially the forum where you can learn about protecting your martins from owls and hawks.

Gene
wild-bird-watching.com

Better Each Year

by Douglas A. Snider
(Black Creek, Georgia, USA)

I put up this gourd mount for the martins four years ago. The day I put it up they found it and have been returning each year.

I have since changed the gourds to plastic because of thin walls. Seem to be fine now. We enjoy having them in our yard each year.

I read that they don't eat enough mosquitoes to help, well I disagree. When the Purple Martins show each year we are able to frequent our yard as well as our front porch.

Life is Good in south Georgia.

Douglas A Snider

Martin Mania

by Jon Meyer
(Columbia Mo)

This will be my third year hosting martins. I started out with a single pair in 2008 and last year I had 6 pairs.

I did have some problems with an owl last year but because I closely watch my birds everyday I was able to act quickly and prevent any further loss.

I installed owl guards on the house and around the gourds. The picture is pre guard. This year I have installed a second T-14 house and am anxiously awaiting the return of the martins.

I hope to have a full yard this year.

WWW.CTPML.COM

by Chris Harris
(Hutto Texas)

Central Texas Purple Martin Landlords founded by Chris Harris in November 2010 has about 50 returning martins in our first year.

You can see the site when visiting the Creekside park in Hutto Texas just off CR1660 and HWY 70. great photo opportunities.

Homemade Martin Structures

by Mark Anderson
(Brandon, SD)

The first colony of 16 Super Gourds was erected in 2008. I took a few years to get half full.

The second colony of 24 Super Gourds was erected in 2012. Last year all had nesting Pairs!

This year seems to be on par with last year. Nesting check to come in a week or so.

First-Year Tenants

by Leo Contreras
(San Antonio, TX)

We are in San Antonio, in an area not yet annexed by the city. I include this detail to provide a visual of our location, not quite rural and by quite urban.

Our purple Martin housing was purchased at Lowe’s and consists of six entries on either side. It is about 15 feet high, in the northwest corner of our back yard. We live on a corner lot, so we don’t have too many distractions.

Our yard is nicely landscaped, so we also attract hummingbirds, mockingbirds, sparrows, doves, finches, other songbirds, and barn swallows that like to skim the surface of our pool for a drink.

We currently have one pair that recently “moved in” just over a month ago. They seem very territorial, not allowing other purple martins to get near, and chasing off most other species of bird listed above.

We love their twilight songs as they come and go, and are looking forward to hosting them for years to come.

Purple Harbor Purple Martin Colony

by Dan schultz
(Williamsburg va )

Standard 12 rooms on the confluence of the James River and Chickahominy River in Va Williamsburg.

Every year starts Mach 15 with a scout followed by a full house in two weeks

Have a dynamic time here in the middle of July as hawks attack the house and Martins defend. It's nature at its best

The evenings are the best as these very agile pilots glide back to the nest. I can sit for hours watching and listing to them.

I feel a bit of pride as these seem like family
I hear stories that some times they may not return.

I could not imagine a worst outcome as a pilot I can only stand in awe of their incredible migratory navigation and long range flying endurance

Truly remarkable birds.