Purple Martin Forum

That is pretty interesting to see just how many banded birds of yours show up at your colony the following season. Have you gotten many reports of your banded birds near by?

Mark, The climate here is very similar to Alberta. I switched to gourds and they have been the key to a thriving colony. I've never had a martin nest in my metal house except for this year a young pair is nesting in there as my gourds were filled. I started with the metal house prior to knowing anyt...

That is awesome that you guys have additional eggs being laid. That will prolong your martin season. Enjoy!

It has been very cold and rainy here. Today I noticed several eggs laying on the ground under the purple martin housing. I have not had any unusual subbie male attacks so I am assuming the parents thru out the eggs due to the cold and possibly infertile state of the eggs. I sure hope we see some war...

Delma, I am so glad that you are enjoying martins...FINALLY. It sure is a wonderful treat to go out in the mornings with a cup of coffee and enjoy their company. I hope you have a successful martin season.

Hey there Bob...glad things are going well for you up there in Alberta. I always wonder how you guys are doing in Canada. I watch for all of your reports. It is good to know that you have so many birds nesting and that you are getting more colonies going that far north. It amazes me to know how far ...

Hang in there you guys/gals. I know what it is like trying to get martins. I tried since 1995 and just recently got birds. You will all be successful one day as well! I think of you all often and am really pulling for you. The pleasure of having these wonderful birds inhabit your housing will be wel...

What a gorgeous photograph. He certainly does look proud! Great job capturing his majestic beauty.

Jose, it was a surprise to me that I waited so many years and all of a sudden I have more birds than I ever dreamed of. I really hope that happens for you next year as well. Vern, You had wonderful numbers. That is awesome! I cannot believe all your birds have fledged already. Time sure passes by qu...

I have had a wonderful summer so far, no predators, plenty of food for the martins and some really wonderful company while I am out working in my gardens. I did another nest check on Monday and have 27 pairs with 19 babies and 101 eggs. I also have 6 more nests with leaves in them and some of the 27...

That is great your birds are busy laying eggs. It has been so dawg gone cold here. I sure hope that does not affect the hatching percentage of our eggs. Has it been pretty cold up there as well?

Good luck with your birds.

Delma, It is a bit of Heaven with all these birds. At times I know I am just wasting time sitting outside or in my hot tub watching these birds. But I cannot seem to get enough of them. I cannot wait to go out and work in my gardens to see them. They are so curious and tend to fly over the gardens w...

Now that my colony is growing I am seeing the same thing Lynn. Yesterday the grass was very wet from an evening rain...I saw a group of males on one female. I ran out and picked her up. The poor things was panting and wet so she could not fly for a few minutes. Glad you were able to save some of you...

Lynn,

That is wonderful. How many pairs do you have this year? I see you had 82 pair last year. That is a LOT of birds. Congratulations on your egg hatching success.

Well, those ungrateful guests you house are not worthy of your defense. LOL. That was a nice gesture on your part. Not sure I could have picked up a snake. UGH! I sure hope you get martins you deserve them!

bamsheriff,

As long as you have your housing in an open space and you are keeping away sparrows and starlings, there is not much more you can do but wait. I think that is one of the hardest parts of this hobby.

Good luck, I am pulling for you.

It sounds like you are well on your way to an active colony. Congratulations on your first eggs. How exciting.

That is awesome that you have your martins trained to take supplemental food. I tried feeding mine earlier this spring but they would not take any of my flips. Thankfully I have not had the weather conditions allowing me to try again.

I hope your weather improves.

Aww Mary, I am so sorry that you do not have your pair back. I had that happen to me in 2008 had 1 pair...nothing in 2009, then 1 pair again in 2010 and nothing in 2011. It is such a let down after waiting all winter for them and more to come back and fill up your housing. I have my fingers crossed ...

Good work on acting so quickly to get her help. That has to make you really feel good that you caught up with her before she was injured to badly. Nice job!