Purple Martin Forum

Thanks! This gives me hope (again LOL)! I don't have an established colony yet. Last year 2 came, but the sparrows chased them off. I am prepared for that with traps (already set and being monitored for activity) in both house and gourds. Usually by this time I see martins flying over and can hear t...

Well I’ve been anxiously waiting but I don’t think they’re coming this year. It seems late but maybe I just don’t know enough! I think I have a good house and gourds and I play the attraction songs but no sign! Any thoughts?

Great advice! These gourds are from the PMCA and came as a pack. I'll have to check if those tunnels fit. May be they're like a standard fit all. I have dogs and haven't had a snake problem but yes, I should probably do that too. Keepin' a lookout and as always- hopeful!

I'll take a pic of my gourd houses this evening. The trap I have is the Deluxe Universal Sparrow trap. I haven't opened my S&K house yet but the gourds have been opened since I put them up last year. Interestingly enough, the sparrows don't like them. Suits me just fine!! I watched lots of YouTu...

Ok! I'm ready to try it again! I got a new gourd set, cleaned all the sparrow nesting out of my little barn house that's been closed, got a sparrow trap!! AND have the song on a timer going mornings and evenings. I think it's a little early here in the Hill Country of Texas but since I'm not sure......

Hey thanks for this article! Even though it is an older one, it is still relevant to those of us who are newbies! I just got my 4 unit excluder gourd system and they come with porches. I was wondering about whether to use them or not , searched the forum and I found this article. My gourds are for n...

Oh my gosh such helpful advice! I'm on it. I feed the song birds here but ONLY black sunflower seeds. I had no idea sparrows were as aggressive as they have shown. They just seemed to swarm as soon as I opened the house! Thank y'all so much.

Ok I'll try a better gun. Bb's ok right? Ill definitely have to hide. I didn't see a trap that would work in this old house- the S & K. I think I'm just going to start over and get a house that traps will fit in. May be gourds? What's y'alls opinion about either a house or gourds? Sorry! What a ...

Ok no laughing! I'm kind of a girly girl! I did try with my Daisy. It scares them that's all. And now they see me coming! Am I going to shoot a hole in the house with a better one? Do I need one with a scope? I really REALLY want to get them! It seems to be the male who's instigating all this. Ugh!

I've decided that I hate sparrows. I thought I just disliked them because they're invasive, aggressive, non native etc... but NOW!! I was out early this morning enough to see four purple Martins flying around my little S&K barnhouse. Great right?? Then I saw 2 sparrows chasing them and not letti...

I think so too. Dang sparrows. I set the trap with cracked corn and bread pieces but they're smart and won't come near it. I can't shoot them or I sure would! I'd more than likely blow a hole in the birdhouse or pepper my neighbor's house as they're relatively close. I'm determined to catch them tho...

I pulled out all the straw and crap the sparrows had in there. I took it down again today and emptied it again. They're persistent. The martins did fly around again tonight but didn't stay. I hope I catch a sparrow tomorrow!

Bummer. I guess they're choosing not to stay. They fly around in the evening and early morning but don't stay. I guess they already have a colony somewhere else? I'm disappointed but will try again next year. Maybe I'll build a different house. And to top it off, dang sparrows moved in. At least I f...

They're bringing sticks!! I'm beyond excited.

Hey y'all. I have such a newbie question! I put up my house every year at the end of Jan beginning of Feb. No takers. For years! This year I cut down a couple of trees I didn't like, added a wishing well but still never saw any!! I know they're in the area because I hear them early in the mornings. ...