Purple Martin Forum

I will get a picture just as soon as she comes back

In a high corner of the porch on a ledge. They look just like the ones that try to take over my martin housing, which they did this year. I am furious with them

Do the sparrows eat bugs and insects same as Martins. I have a nest of sparrows on my front porch and want them gone............

Just looked out and my very first Martin of the season is on the rack calling out to friends to join him. Happy ME............

Very good, During our cold spot, same as yours, I lost a mom and one egg that was in her nest. I have other gourds with eggs that seem to be doing well.

I just did a nest check and found one dead martin in a gourd. Another gourd had 3 eggs, and another 5 eggs, so all in all they survived the cold, but oh how I hate to lose one.

After 3 nights of worrying, they're back. They were just waiting on the sunshine...............

It has been cold, in the 50's and 60's for the past 4 days and I don't see any martin movement around any of the gourds

Have they left me completely or are they just trying to stay warm?

Thanks guys, I will keep you posted

I have numerous martins on the gourd rack and in and out of gourds. How long after they arrive should I look for eggs in the nesting area?

Thanks, I am working in a county election office that has been jumping since the first of the year. Thanks again. I will just look from my window

I have worked too much this year and have not had time to check my nests. Is it still ok to look in and see how many babies I have. It looks like 4 gours are really busy and I can see little heads sticking out of them.

They came home, thanks everyone. I was terrified that I had lost them. Thanks again!!

Yesterday it looked like I had too many martins for the housing. I put two extra gourds up today. Would that scare them away. It's 8 pm and no martins coming home

thanks, they are back so i hope they spend the night

My first martins are here. They are having a major war with tree swallows and they are not giving an inch. My right arm is broken, so I cannot use my pellet gun. Hope they are here to stay.

We have snow here in Turtletown (East Tennessee too). I always pray for them to get here, but today I was praying for them to wait a few days. Good luck and your pictures are great.

Took me five years and I only had one couple and that was last year, so don't give up. They are beautiful, absolutely one of God's most precious endeavors.

Congratulations, means I have to start getting things ready. Thanks for the report, makes me feel good inside.

I don't know either, but I will let you know as soon as I can. I just think they are beautiful and hope they grow huge.