Purple Martin Forum

Tony, I was feeling the same way here a couple weeks ago, but we now have around 200 Martins. They are running about two or more weeks behind. We had the earliest arrival ever and the slowest start ever so I wouldn't worry, Their definitely on the way!

Greg,
Great job, it's a blast!

Debbie, We have had lots of rainy days but the temps have remained warm enough for the Martins to find plenty of insects to feed on. I would estimate we probably have around 150 birds roosting at this time, but those numbers have been up and down as some head north and more arrive. I have been looki...

Hey Malcolm, I've had a similar setup for 4 years with hardware cloth and my hot wire is only 1 1/2 inches above the ground. I have had Martins on the ground around the cages and have never lost a bird, but it is possible. I have seen Red winged blackbirds around cow pastures killed while perching o...

Thanks for the encouraging comments, I wanted to give you all a quick update. Saturday's temp's reached the low 70's with crystal blue skies and the Martins took full advantage by feeding until nearly dark. I lowered all the racks again to check for casualties and I'm glad to report they all made it...

Cool video and a lucky squirrel!

Thanks for the replies, I went out this morning to flip crickets again and they didn't seem interested, I guess they were still full from the day before. The weather forecast was to be in the upper 50's with sunshine today (NOT) it barely made it to 50 briefly, no sunshine with clouds and cool breez...

The weather here has been terrible since Monday with high temps in the mid to lower 40's, no sunshine and rain or constant drizzle. I know that's nothing compared to what some of you have endured but for Martins, its bad news. I have never had to supplemental feed here before, but the time has come,...

Congrats and Thanks for posting! Your photography skills are truly amazing, keep up the great work!

Great read Steve, I felt like I was there watching in person. Last year we had several Coopers hawk attacks and most were unsuccessful but there was one particular small hawk that I witnessed take three Martins on separate occasions. He was bigger than a Kestrel but shaped like a Dove or small Pigeo...

Thank you, Getting a thumbs up from all you guys and gals makes the project even more worthwhile and I greatly appreciate the kind comments! Kathy, When it comes to nest checks the Gemini is, by far my favorite rack! It's so light being made of aluminum you can almost raise and lower it with two fin...

First of all, I'd like to thank all of you for the kind comments, I greatly appreciate it! The setup is constructed of steel, the square pole is 3 1/2 inch The cable is 5/16 and good for 1800lb The brake winch is good for 1500lb The rack itself is nowhere close to that weight, but probably weighs ar...

Back several years ago I had a post up about opinions on different types of rack designs and as always received some good info. I fully intended to get started on a round rack asap, but never found the time. Well the next year, same story, still not enough free time. However I did purchase a Gemini ...

Goodnature-- We had a 15 acre field of squash behind the house last year, right next to our Martin colony. My Nephew had a beekeeper bring in 15 or 20 Bee hives to pollinate the squash. They placed them about mid field and they did their job well on the east end of the field away from the Martins, b...

Hugh, No I didn't, but I will if it continues to happen. We should have lots of new hatchlings on Saturday and I will be doing a full nest check again. The bugs seem to be tapering off a bit, so if it is them causing the problem maybe it will soon be over. They smell just like a stink bug if you mas...

I had the County Agent come out to identify a new bug I haven't seen before, he identified the bugs as Kudzu bugs. They have been all over everything green and are also attracted to white objects (including gourds). They are an invasive pest species from India and China, just what we need another in...

Dallas, I have had hawks eat martins on the ground but an Owl usually flies to a fence post or wood line where it feels safe. I've had Owls feed on martins while perched on the rack but not on the ground. If it were perched on your wire cage, the feathers would have been more scattered. We have lost...

Hey Matt, We have had more than our share of rainfall, planting is about two weeks behind schedule because of the wet fields, sure wish we could send some your way. I did get to check the original rack today that has the oldest asy pairs and found 46 out of 48 nest completed with 15 containing eggs....

Hey Matt, I had clutches of 6 & 7 eggs on 4/1 last year. I've been so backed up in work that I haven't done a nest check, but I just knew we had eggs or maybe even chicks. I did get time today to do a quick check of the Gemini rack and to my surprise there were 24 nest complete with no eggs or c...

Thank you all, for the input, sometimes when you have several types of swallows flying together it is hard to decipher the difference, especially the females. I did ask him specifically if they were Purple Martins and he said yes, that lots of them were solid black. If the grey breasted martin close...