Purple Martin Forum

Does anyone out there have a good idea for a DIY snake netting guard for a 3" square pole? Last year was my first year dealing with snakes believe it or not. Found out by accident but thank goodness I did none the less. I rigged the netting on the poles as best as I could for the remaining seas...

Can't log in to make scout report but we have spotted a female martin circling our property. We just finished putting up one of our T14's a half an hour earlier and was sitting down on deck to relax when I saw her. This is very early for us! She didn't stay but circled for about 15 minutes chirping ...

Tim, I was very excited to see your report!!!! We will be putting up the houses this weekend and I am sweating it out till then. They seem little early for you and the western land lords so my fingers are crossed for my guys to be on time, not early :cry: Last year was a bad year for my colony due t...

Hi Thurman, Here in Unionville and loving the arrivals. I started with one on March 6th, now I counted as best as I could ( they wouldn't sit still ) about 20 at my place. So glad to see you are enjoying your new friends and can't wait to see what this year holds for us. Shawn in Whitehouse is still...

Bill, What a strange year this is starting out to be. I too use the arrival of the TS's as the indicator of the coming arrival of the martins. In the past 3 years the TS's have arrived approx 8-10 days before the martins. I spotted a ASY male today on the T14's. At first I thought I was seeing thing...

I just so happen to walk by the patio window to the deck and my eyes spotted a bird hovering around the "red" T14. I rushed to get the binoculars and watched him land on a porch or two, then fly over the the "blue" T14. He landed on the porch that is oriented exactly to the red o...

Thank you so much for all the advice. So I need something that will prevent the GHO from landing on the actual house? Does anyone know who made this cage? I would love to get some tips on how to build and mount. Hated taking down the gourds as they have always been the first occupied. I will show th...

I have 2 T14's with 4 gourds mounted under. Last season my numbers were down a bit and I think it was due to GHO attacks. Found remains of martins multiple times, nests with eggs abandoned, typical signs of GHO activity. The gourds seemed to take the brunt of the damage even with one of the porches ...

I've told Doug before he really needs to pick some numbers for the lottery!!!!! LOL

Just catching up James!!! congrats!!!! I knew you're time would come and now you are in the groove!!!! Have a great year.

So glad to hear your reports Doug! The season has definately begun!!!

Steve,

Do you have any issue's with GHO's?

Welcome Andy, this is a great forum. We too have t14's in our yard. Great housing for martins. Hope you get birds your first year.

Thank you all for you compliments and suggestions. This is a "Chuck" house plan, my husband did a few mods but we have 2 now. Absolutely love them and so easy to do nest checks and clean at the end of the year. I tried a "cage" last year but it was just to hard to do nest checks ...

I would like to have suggestions from all of you guys as to what is the best method of hanging the gourds under our T14. In previous years they hung on an aluminum rod that protruded out on the alternate corners of the T14. Last year I had an GHO visit us a few times and I know he was able to knock ...

James,

So glad to hear you had a successful year! We were all rooting for you LOL. I have now started watching the scout report even tho I'm a few months away but get excited for you landlords in FL.

We use Sevin every year. I just sprinkle some on the porch and in the entrance of the cavity.....no mites after that.

Thanks for replies guys. Saw the hawk sitting on the pole again the following day. The martins don't seem to mind. I guess if the opportunity shows itself then the hawk will catch a young one or an injured bird. That's nature and there is nothing to stop that. My hope is that they won't be a problem...

It's funny you posted this pic. My cherry tree's get scalped every year. At first I thought it was a bug infestation LOL but now I know its a martin take over. I'm happy to sacrifice a few leaves, yeah right, for my babies to have a nice soft bed but the hubby isn't liking it. It is really cool the ...

Dee,

How are things at your place? Any arrivals yet?