Purple Martin Forum

The purpose of this post is to encourage wannabes and to make known my sincere thanks to this forum and all members who post help and hints for the establishment of purple martin colonies. There is so much one can learn from this site to establish a viable colony. I did. Took three years of research...

Do males usually precede the females in returning? For a little information they have been here for a week now. Once again thanks for the help.

Last year was my 1st year to host martins. Three pair that fledged 12. Now in my second year I have 3 males that are claiming gourds staying all day. Only one lone female has come by sporadically and is going in gourd with male. Now for my question, is this usually what happens with returning pair o...

They finally showed up today. Last year I finally hosted three nestin pair, which fledged eleven after five years. Last year scouts came March 13th. I was under the impression that they would come earlier this year. Been worried sick. Will sleep well tonight. Thank you and good luck to all!

First let me say I admire your resolution. I am a wanna be for this the second year and trying to learn everything I can. Your post has generated a ton of response which is good. For my question, may have already been asked if it was I missed it, yes I have decoys but only two. Since martins are com...

Why anyone who goes to work and expense to erect Martin houses then let a snake destroy? If they had cancer would they go to the doctor or do nothing? That's nature!

I'll take 17. One extra just in case

Nice chatting with you and again thanks for the help. Yes have per nest and playing dawn song. Have done about everything the experts on the forum have suggested. This is a great site for learning a new hobby. I was just wondering if it was enough time to get a nesting pair and if they had enough ti...

Thank you for your response. I really have a great set up. I have one rack with 12 natural gourds, sizes are 9 - 11" ( all I could grow the 1 st year ). One Heath house 12 room modified to a 6 room double sized with 3 natural gourds underneath. Clear open site in middle of two three acre site,w...

Hope someone post an answer to your question. I am a first year man, and have had one male desperately trying to draw in a female for about two weeks now. He gets about four visitors several times every day but no one stays, neither does he at night. Was wondering if it's to late for him to nest and...

In my 1st year have a 12 home made gourd rack and gourds, six room house with gourds underneath. Have kept starlings and ho sp at bay with gun, kinda fun shooting them isn't it? Great open space and I think it's a great location, near a lake. Have several bb houses in place. In fact a pair has alrea...

Just like a watched pot seems to take forever to boil, a watched sky seems to take forever to produce martins!

Are starlings worse in different areas of the country? I live in N.C. And don't seem to have the starling problems the folks in Texas talk about on the forum.

1 or 2 decoys.

Today was my 1st post also after joining the forum. Like you am just getting started,looking forward to a great hobby. I also am a tar heel,living in Catawbs N.C. Small community between Hickory and Statesville. Just want to say good luck to you and yours. Keepin touch.

Im a newbie. This is truly a great sight for green horns wanting to learn about Pm. Got a cheap pm house as a gift,knew NOTHING about the birds. Erected the house 2011, then found this web sight and learned a wealth of info on what to do and not to do. Being a gardener, I had a few under size gourds...