Purple Martin Forum

Congrats on being a PM landlord! Aren't they amazing? Did you have to kill many HOSP? I am becoming quite the sharpshooter with my bb gun. Fortunately, only had to shoot 2 males this season before they got the hint. My PM birds fly in and out all day. I imagine they are foraging for food, getting a ...

Sorry - House Sparrows. They are the devil. They kill Martins and Martin eggs.

I may get a bb or pellet gun yo shoot them. Being a Texas girl, i am goid with any gun. Grew up hunting quail and I was very good. I hate these HOSPs! If u ever saw they had killed one of my PMs or a baby, i would lose it. I think if I can time it when most are at work, i can do this. I am afraid m...

So sorry you had to see that. Makes my heart hurt.

What guards were ineffective in stopping the snakes?

I have a passion for killing HOSP and am now a good shot.

Oh my gosh! I saw this and was so sad!! Glad he is home and eating good in the hood!!!

I lost an adult female last year. Couldn't figure out how she died but found her in the house. I cried. It was the worst feeling.

Waldo. Great name!

Best, Kara

You are not overthinking! Placement is important. I remember google searching on this topic before putting my houses up. Do not go close to bushes or trees. The martins need to see what is going on clearly around the house in case of predator activity. I think it was 40' minimum distance from your h...

Holy crap! I have never seen this behavior! I think intuitively I would lower the house and try to stop them. Dead adult birds are no fun.
I have only been into this for a few years now. I am with Doug and would scold them. Time out for bad birdies! haha
Good luck!

Lisa - I am in N. TX too! I feel for you with regard to the HOSP problem. I have tried the in the house trap and the Blaine's repeating trap. Neither worked for me. I got a small hand held bb gun at target for $29. Have killed 2 aggressive males in the past 2 weeks.HOSP are very smart. You will have...

Exciting! I can't wait to hear more about your colony!

Now that i have the HOSP under control, I have seen at least 10 adult martins flying around my two houses and my neighbors gourds. Hoping for a good turnout this year. We have the capacity for 26 pair to nest here. I hope they spread the word. Last year we had 12 babies fledge from 3 mated pair. It ...

Death to HOSP

I use a pellet gun. Tried traps with no luck. Inside the house And outside.

Good luck! Can’t wait to hear about the babies!

So happy for you!!!!!

Love this! Amazing job!! Looking forward to pics of babies in there safe and sound!

Just spotted 2 martins checking out my birdhouse. They hung out for about 2 minutes.

This is my first year to host nesting Martins. I have one nest that should fledge this week. I did a Sunday nest check and found sixty five chicks and thirty six eggs. When I started out I was thinking " Lord I hope you will send a pair of martins to start my colony". A whole army of them...

7/3/17 all 5 babies have fledged. I am ecstatic. I miss them already, but the adults in the community keep stopping by to assure me they too will nest here next year. I need to do some research about when to take the house down to clean it. I also need to research when they will begin their migratio...

HOLY COW!!! I have little faces peeking out!!! The parents aren't going into the house to feed today, but just stopping on porch to deliver a snack. Wow!! I am super excited!!! I hope all 5 are successful.

Thank you very much

It is a house with a porch.

If you have had fledges, please share your experience with me. I am curious if the fledges will hang out on the porch of the house for a day or two or if they immediately jump out of the nest? Also I have read that they fledge in the morning usually. Is this true? This is my first group of 5 babies ...