Purple Martin Forum

My martins have basically been gone for almost 2 weeks. They usually don't all leave until the end of July, so it seems early to me. Are they already roosting downtown somewhere? We had a successful season with at least 25 mating pairs...can't believe they're already gone :(

I've been watching them come in and land this evening. All actually seems fine!!! I had pairs just everywhere, on the gourds, the porches, and the rack arms. So far so good. Either the one pair found their eggs, or another pair just got a jump start on a family.

Our 16-gourd rack had its cable break and down it came, hard. It happened overnight, thankfully not while I was under it. Unfortunately, the way it came down, we had to completely dismantle it. We weren't able to keep track of where each of the gourds belonged. I was trying but failed to keep them i...

Thank you everyone, I feel more encouraged than I did, and appreciate the suggestions. I'll do everything I can.

So I have a 16 gourd-rack, large trio castle and small trio house, 36 large rooms. They've been closed up all winter. However I have about 20 house sparrows just waiting for me to open them up. In the past I've only had a handful of HS. Have they ever multiplied. Today, my first martin has returned....

I had been questioning if becoming a landlord was the right thing. The last few months I've been blasted by the screeching sounds of the dreaded you know whats. The HOSP seemed to be everywhere waiting for me to open up the housing. I have two trap doors, and my husband has the 22 to eliminate them....

My housing is about 20 feet from our house and has been very successful.

Hey Neighbor...welcome! I would certainly open up a couple, if not all of your compartments. You never know if a colony near you will bring you some ASY martins. I'm in Bridgecreek, OK...not too far from you. I have about 20+ martins right now....had 17 pair last year. My first year I had 7 pairs. T...

Thanks everyone. I knew I could count on you all

Have a Lonestar gourd rack and pole, 2" square. Windy as hek in Oklahoma this evening so we lowered it about 4 feet. When it's lowered it "spins" or twists a good 6-8" back and forth...obviously not all the way around, but quite a bit still. Can I do something to keep this from h...

This is awesome!!!So happy to hear...sounds like it's on

I got 8 more today!

Thank you Emil for giving us hope! My little bunch in central OK hasn't made it yet! I have only 3 pair, and I had 17 pair last year. Anxious and waiting!

I'm trying to be patient, but I have only 2 pair and a bachelor. I had 17 very successful pairs last year...shouldn't I have more martins by now? I'm near OKC. I can't remember when they all came last year and can't find my data sheets. :x I've been seeing here that landlords much farther north have...

Have a question...we just installed my new lonestar pole system. I'm not happy with the winch/cable at all! It' so tight and the handle doesn't even have a sleeve. We also installed my dad's much less expensive pole with their optional winch. Its' winch/cable kicks my systems' tail-feathers as far a...

chickadee...bite your tongue! But no kidding, I've wondered too. Shorter flight, warmer, but not HOT like here in OK can get...not to mention our droughts. Thank heavens they do keep coming!

I'm a little confused about the pairing up. If the same martins return to their previous home, and even previous cavity, is it not the same pair from last year? or is it the same male that pairs up with a different female? :???: For some innocent...or naive...reason I though it would be the same pai...

The best birthday present just showed up 5 minutes ago! He was checking out my other birthday present...a lonestar gourd rack :grin: Now to get them filled. Big question...when he was poking his head in and out of the castle, he put his head in the spare o door...I was so afraid the trap lever would...

Keep sending them north to Oklahoma! I saw and heard a female this morning, but I think she was just passing through. Anxiously waiting in OK.

Thank you Louise. It's how we have it, but we just weren't positive.