I've Been Busy

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
Keith
Posts: 435
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:45 pm
Location: Missouri/Ava
Martin Colony History: 85 pair in 2020. Seems fairly consistent the last few years.

I know that preparing natural gourds takes time, but I actually enjoy doing this and the Purple Martins love them. I might add here that this way is very economical. Probably no Martins here for at least four weeks but I'm almost ready. It is still very cold here in southern Missouri. Will try to post a few pictures soon as I will have to resize them first.
Keith
Top
CraigMo.
Posts: 1480
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:30 pm
Location: Missouri/Lone Jack
Martin Colony History: Active since 2003

:grin:
Top
KathyF
Posts: 3522
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
Location: Missouri/Licking
Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.

Hi Keith - how have you been? Busy? :lol:
Good to see you back on the forum!
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
Top
Keith
Posts: 435
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:45 pm
Location: Missouri/Ava
Martin Colony History: 85 pair in 2020. Seems fairly consistent the last few years.

I will now try and add a picture or two that I intended to be with the original post.
Keith
Attachments
Gourd ready.JPG
Gourd ready.JPG (76.78 KiB) Viewed 10765 times
Parts calked in place.JPG
Parts calked in place.JPG (94.07 KiB) Viewed 10786 times
Parts are ready.JPG
Parts are ready.JPG (110.91 KiB) Viewed 10864 times
Top
cary-nw-fla
Posts: 141
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2011 12:27 pm
Location: Holt, Florida

Keith - Nice job on the gourd. It's a nice thick one.
2010/2011: 0 / 2012: 8 Pair / 2013: 22 Pair / 2014: 35 Pair / 2015: 39 Pair / 2016: 73 Pair / 2017: 94 Pair
Cary
Top
Dave Duit
Posts: 2145
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
Location: Iowa / Nevada
Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to daveduit@yahoo.com. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.

Super nice work Kieth. Look great and the martin will be thankful for this new housing.
ImageMite control, heat venting, predator protection and additional feeding during bad weather add up to success.
ImageIPMO LOGO1.jpg
Top
KathyF
Posts: 3522
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
Location: Missouri/Licking
Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.

Wow - nice looking gourd, Keith!

Hey, check out my post about the MDC presentation in Mt. Grove....let me know if you're interested!
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
Top
Dave Reynolds
Posts: 2442
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged

Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged

Keith ---- Great job.. you can be proud.... :lol:

Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Top
Chris B
Posts: 379
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 4:10 pm
Location: AL/Toney

Yeah, that is a nice thick gourd. I like the porch you made for it.
2014 8 gourds, 3 pairs nested. Ended w/ 24 total
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.
Top
suem
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:00 am
Location: Virginia/Scottsville

I was so excited seeing the coffee can used as access! What adhesive did you use for porch and coffee can? I only have the big cans but $$$ store will have something! I made a BIG mistake buying gourds with only "viewing" port and need to fixit!! Thanks
Love the gurgles
Top
Keith
Posts: 435
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:45 pm
Location: Missouri/Ava
Martin Colony History: 85 pair in 2020. Seems fairly consistent the last few years.

suem,
I will mention what seems to work great for me here. The tube of seal shown here has a very long life warranty and will last longer than the natural gourd will. I got this at a large department store. The picture I have will show the access port with tabs cut and when it is pushed into the gourd I then bend over the tabs inside. The pencil points to a rib on the port and if the hole is cut the correct size in the gourd, this rib serves as a stop. I always caulk both inside and outside around the access port and also the tunnel entrance. The tunnel entrance fits inside approx. an inch and the two short dowels are placed where they are to prevent tunnel from ever coming out. Raise or lower the porch to level adjustment and then put a bead of caulk inside and out. Use a good quality paint and it is ready for Purple Martins.
Keith
Attachments
How to assemble.JPG
How to assemble.JPG (93.67 KiB) Viewed 10647 times
Top
suem
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:00 am
Location: Virginia/Scottsville

Thanks for all the info. I love creative solutions. My gourds are the plastic ones, I need to cut out larger holes. Your sharing will help me greatly!! Thanks again!
Love the gurgles
Top
Bulldog1
Posts: 700
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 8:33 am
Location: Mississippi/Hamilton

Very impressive. Wish I had those skills
PMCA member
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
Top
tonyg
Posts: 1520
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
Location: Olpe, KS
Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..

Very nice...
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
Top
Anthony Neira
Posts: 1319
Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
Location: San Antonio /Texas
Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !

Great job Keith ! I have a Martin friend who uses a plastic jar & lid from those energy protein powder drinks, if you ask most health /exercise stores if they have any left over, they can even save them for you. Good luck ! Keep up the Great work!
PMCA Member, 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals + Tunnels, & 2 S&K Bo 11"s WITH Troyer Porches ! 4 MPPs, For 2019 Season !! :grin: Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.
Top
Keith
Posts: 435
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:45 pm
Location: Missouri/Ava
Martin Colony History: 85 pair in 2020. Seems fairly consistent the last few years.

Thanks Anthony, those might work best. I will check them out.
Keith
Top
Ladybug
Posts: 243
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
Location: Indiana/ Jamestown
Martin Colony History: 2005-2019. Lots lookers, 2 successful nesting's.
2010-1 pair nested, 4 eggs destroyed(Wren).
2012- 1 pair nested, 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2019- 1 pair nested, 4 eggs, 4 fledged.
2021- 10 pair, 40 babies fledged.
2022- 17 pair, 10 eggs not hatched= appxy. 57 fledged.

Dear Keith:
Thanks for the photos and all the helpful information. I grow my own gourds and have plenty that I will use your ideas on.
I love doing the work too, it is so fun to create new things.
Thanks again. GOOD LUCK..
Joanne.
Joanne
Top
Bill Hyde
Posts: 287
Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 8:59 am
Location: Illinois/Roscoe

Keith,
You have taken the clinger entrances to a whole new dimension. Congratulations :!:
I'm a BIG fan of the clinger entrances, especially the way you are combining them with the porches. Smile
PMCA member
2011 - 1 SY pair w/ 2 HY fledged
2012 - 5 breeding pairs
2013 - 14 nesting pairs and several singles
2014 - 8 nesting pairs
2015 - 5 nesting prs w/mostly ASY parents
Top
Keith
Posts: 435
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:45 pm
Location: Missouri/Ava
Martin Colony History: 85 pair in 2020. Seems fairly consistent the last few years.

Hello Bill,
The clinger is my favorite entrance also. And that one piece with the entrance is the only critical part to cut out. One can,t see it in the picture but that piece is almost one inch thick and the back half of the cutout is at a 45 degree angle and this actually serves as wing entrapment protection.
Keith
Top
Jeff Robinson
Posts: 908
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 3:32 pm
Location: Rogersville, Missouri
Martin Colony History: 2008 - Current
72 Cavities - 70 Pairs in 2021
PM Mentor

Very nice work Keith! Might be seeing you soon at Kathy's presentation in Mtn Grove.

Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Purple Martin Forum”