Purple Martin Forum

DOWN HERE JUST 2 MILES SOUTH OF HOBBY AIRPORT, I HAVE AT LEAST 5 PAIRS. WILL TRY TO DO ANOTHER BEAK COUNT TOMORROW. MY BIRDS WERE ABOUT A WEEK LATE THIS YEAR. HOPING FOR A FEW MORE TO ARRIVE.

Should had mention Southbelt/Ellington/Hobby Airport Houston area

A little slow this year, but my first Adult Male flew over and landed several times on the birdhouse. He even stuck his head inside to check things out.

I like your idea.

The winter in Texas this year hasn't been really that bad. Had one cold spell a couple of weeks ago, so I am not surprise the birds are returning.

My house will be going up in the morning. Just finish cleaning it out

I agree. Take the houses down. They will find a new home. They are smart birds.

I cleaned out the martin house today to have it ready for this season. This is my ninth year at this location and I was surprised :shock: at the number of unhatched eggs in one nest and the number of fledglings that did not survived. I did have a good year though despite the number of fledglings tha...

:shock: I have lowered my bird house several months ago. (naturally after all birds had left) , and yesterday I was somewhat surprised what I had found. In one compartment there were 3 unhatched eggs. In another I found the remains of a bird that I will assume never tried to learn to fly. And in ano...

warbird wrote:Yes all my pm's have left but visitors still come by about everyday for a short time and do some looking

Yes you had a great year. I just don't have the room to put up many houses. Looking at putting one on e more for next year.

I should had mention this year was a very good year with several new couples and many young hatch-lings. I did lose a couple of adults and one fledgling. The fledgling couldn't fly and the adults may have been fighting.

Looking forward to next February when they return

Gun wrote:I'm waiting for my first pair to hatch yet. By my best checks should be about July14th. It took them a LONG time to figure out which compartment they liked the best. Keeping my fingers crossed all goes well.

Any new babies?

After I thought my martins had totally left, to my surprise a group of them came around this morning showing the young birds where the house is and they also circle around the area. I have a feeling they have been doing this quite often but I am not at home all day.

I live south of Hobby and normally we would get a bunch of martins prior to their departure south, but so far this year all of our birds have left and we are not experiencing the normal morning and evening gathering.

All the birdies have left the roost. There were 2 this morning that came back for a bit but since left. Going to miss hearing their songs and sometime mayhem.

I have several young ones that are not ready to go, although I did have some young ones that have started flying.

My young ones are not ready to leave. I am thinking 2nd week of July before I see them heading out.

Houston, Tx

Within the last two I have found 3 dead birds. 2 for sure were males and the third I could not identified. Do martins fight to the death? My house is almost completely full this year and have many young ones. So there is good news with the bad. Note; cats can't get to the house.

Have a pair show up Sunday morning singing away. I wouldn't be surprise this is a pair from previous years

The starlings are plentiful here in Houston. Wish they would just go away.