Purple Martin Forum

Nikkidodi, that is exactly where I took her. They were very nice and helpful. I just hope she wasn't one of mine!

Thank you! I am on my way!

I believe I will need a rehab-er for an SY female that was saved from a hawk attack. A friend brought her to me when she saw the attack and was right there to save the PM. I think she may have an injured left wing, as it is drooping. She does have very good strength in her feet. I am not the best pe...

I did my 1st nest check on March 27, had 14 nests in 20 cavities. We went on a 2 week road trip, got back yesterday. While we were gone, my son 'dispatched 4 sparrows, (YAY!). Did a nest check today and I am delighted! 20 cavities, 19 occupied and 38 eggs! 9 cavities have eggs, 10 have nests. We can...

Thanks, everyone, for the input. I am going to go ahead and give it a try. I am no expert, but have the basics, always try to do things 'by the book' and a VERY GOOD support group with the Forum!
Flyin-Lowe...........I am a member of the HOA board, and believe me, we use the term lightly!

Thanks, John! I guess I just needed a little encouragement. Good point on sparrow control. I will get started on how I want to go about it. The nest check idea is great!

I live in the country, in a 'mini ranch' community. I have finally had what I consider 'big' success being a landlord(2012-14 pair,44babies!). I have had people come by to look at 'my' birds and houses and to ask questions. Some say, "I am going to put up a house next year". While I think ...

Nice! That is a very clever rack! Wish I lived in your area, it's beautiful!

DakotaLady,
I still don't know where the roost was, but according to the watch list, there is/was one in Rio Medina, not too far from me. Again today, all day long, they were overhead. Especially in the A.M.
Louis - keep an eye out. It looks like they are heading for Corpus!

I just got home from a funeral this morning, heard a familiar sound and looked up. There were dozens! of PM's overhead! There must have been a roost in the area, (Medina County) that decided today was the day. Could it be a co-incidence that they started at the same time of the butterfly migration? ...

I seem to be nearing the end of my year, with only 2 nestlings left, but ready to fledge. It was, IMO, a successful year, with 15 pair, 55 eggs, 39 young and from those all but 2(found dead), fledged. I am enjoying about 70+ birds all day, every day hanging out. What I have noticed, however, is the ...

My last nest check on the 9th had 29 eggs and 22 young. Today, (after watching my birds being upset about HOSPs :evil: ), I did a check and found I had lost 9! eggs between 2 cavities. :cry: One porch was covered with yolks, the other had a lot of blood. Needless to say, I was devastated. I have bee...

IMO - It seems to me that feeding the runners would encourage them to stay. As much as I like them, I really don't want them hanging around looking for a hand-out.

I don't know about roadrunners getting the martin babies, but they sure are 'heck' on my hummingbirds. I have seen runners get 2 hummers and eat them . I keep a water hose with a sweeper nozzle on it handy to chase the runners with.

Laverne, thanks. I did the nest trap thing, exactly as you describe, but the wind kicked up and tripped the trap, the HOSP couldn't get in to it's eggs and had a fit of rage. I lost one PM egg before I could fix it. We have had so much wind lately, the trap won't do the trick. But as I said, any HOS...

Did a nest check on the 26th, had 7 pair with 30 eggs and 5 babies. Did a nest check yesterday, had 8 pair with 23 eggs and 18 babies! (I lost 1 egg to HOSP nest rage). There is an additional 6 pair building like crazy! That's 14 pair in available 20 cavities. 2 of the cavities are still occupied by...

Did a nest check today.........found 5 babies!! (Happy dance!!). I wasn't too far off on my reckoning,I had 1st hatch for the 28th. Also have 30 eggs in 6 cavities, green leaf in 2 and nests in 3 cavities. This is a huge growth from last year when I had a total of 2 pair, (now 11 pair!). Unfortunate...

Thanks, again, everyone! Joe, love the prank idea of chalk or marbles!

TEAMWORK............best concept ever!

Thanks, everyone! I'm going to give it a go, staple to the outside. What are thoughts of putting some of the nest and the eggs in the trap?

Emil, thanks. I was thinking staple gun to the inside?