Who was your martin inspiration, mentor? Or by yourself?

[Dave Duit]

The person who got me started in purple martins was Don Dearborn, from my hometown in Nevada, Iowa. He had an extensive colony. I was already interested in nature and the outdoors, but knew very little about martins at that time. It was a chance encounter when I first decided to simply go up to him on a nice summer day and ask him about purple martins. he was glad to share his knowledge about martins and strangely I had know idea at that moment he was to be my future mentor. He never over did it with his enthusiasm for martins, but he did offer good sound advice and even gave me one of his old S&K 12 compartment metal house. he told me if I was interested in expanding the compartment to 12 inch depths that I could have the house for free. I found an old schedule 40 pipe, cemented it in the ground and waited for my first pair. NOTHING for the first year or two. Don offered a few more pointers on how to attract martins. I took him up on his advice; dawnsong check, open area check, etc.. Third year first pair. Don passed away from cancer, but I have honored his passion for martins. Over time his wife Faris offered me more of Don's gourds because the task of martin land lording was becoming too much. Don Dearborn was my mentor and friend. Who was your mentor or did you do it alone?

[Laverne]

Hi Dave.

My Daddy was my inspiration. He maintained a colony at his farm and built my first wooden house for me. That would have been in 1996. I put it up in the tiny backyard of a duplex I was renting. It was only there for one season; but we had 4 or 5 pair of Purple Martins raising their young in it. It only had six 6" inch cavities. In 1997 we moved it to our place in Alvin where the nesting site starved Purple Martins were hovering overhead before Mike could get off the ladder after erecting it. We have been infatuated with, mesmerized by, and in love with the beautiful Purple Martin ever since then. So my Daddy started it all - but, it has been the PMCA and all the dedicated people here on this Forum who enlightened me to the truths hidden among all the myths surrounding the Purple Martin.

Thank you, again, and again. You guys are great!!

Sincerely,
Laverne

[Seller]

As a kid growing up in Gun Barrel City TX on Ceder Creek lake my father had a couple of PM houses to keep the skeeters at bay... I used to sit as a teen on the balcony of our house and watch the birds fly at near eye level. We lived on a lake front lot and I remember the times the mayflies hatched and the frenzy at which the PM's fed on them.

I also remember the neighbors coming over to check out the houses when the birds would arrive and how each yr more of the neighbors would put houses up....all thinking the PM's kept the skeeter populations down.

I know now that PM's dont primarily feed on skeeters but IMO in large open areas like we had where the PMs fed lower I think they actually do take the occasional skeeter now and again

This was all back in the late 70's and very early 80's. Wish I could go back to those days....we were all younger then.

And music was much better!

[Gobbler T]

We had a martin house for a couple years when I was a kid, but I never gave it much thought. In 07 my wife and I were visiting with friends during the summer. He had martins, and as I watched them and he talked, the memories of my childhood came back. The more he talked the more interested I became. I found myself going back just to watch the birds. I enjoyed them so much, I thought why not put up my own house. After the first year flop, I started researching and found you guys. He has always been quick to answer any question I have, but I have learned oh so much more right here. So ultimately it's hard to say who mentored me, him, all of you, or myself. Thanks to all of you I now know how to take care of martins.

What I don't know is how to get them!

[~Ray~Gingerich]

When I was a kid my Dad built a wooden martin house, I remember the house setting on top of a pair of sawhorses with a fresh coat of paint. He put it up the next day and was very surprised when the martins moved in so quickly. The house was located near a chicken coop and I could get a good view of martin activity from inside the chicken house. When I was older I would try to pick off the starlings with a .22 rifle. They replaced the martin house with a different style about 1970 and the martins never returned. When I had my own place less than a 1/4 mile away in 1977 I put up martin housing and didn't get a single pair until 1999. It wasn't until 2008 when my martin colony became sucessful and martins returned the following year. Last summer I had 65 nesting pairs.

[bbillyc]

I started in 1993 after buying a PM house at a garage sale. Iput up the house on May 10, 1993 and had my first martins within 10 minutes who stayed and my colony started. It was great. In 1997 I lost my entire colony when they returned on April 23 and the temperature was -20 degrees. I tried feeding them some cat food as there was nothing available. I found them all dead in the compartments huddled together. I was unsucccessful in reestablishing my colony despite continuous attempts over the next 7 years. I changed to a metal pole relocated in 2003 and rebuilt a new house with troyer tunnels attached to the boxes. I had one pair come in and they stayed and fledged 4 young. The next year I added gourdes slung below and got 2 pair and fledged 7. Since then I have had at most only two pair and last year only a single pair but fledged 4 but one was killed when attacked by a king bird. I am looking forward to this year even if I only get one pair and it gives me great pleasure to provide them a home that is well managed. My mentor in this has been purplemartin.org and all the folks who also enjoy this hobby. I wish all the best to all of you in 2012. Bill

[Dave Duit]

I had a strong feeling that this topic would create some great stories and memories. I think it is great that we all had memories and feeling attached to our past or some event. When we all grow old and are unable to carry out our martin landlord duties, we can pass on the traditions and knowledge to the younger people.