Purple martin and water
I have read that you have to have a water source within two miles of your martin house.There is a small pond within 3 miles of my house but don't know it that is to far.I don't want to spend 800.00 on a house and pole if I don't have a chance of getting martins.I live on 5 acres in Darke county Ohio surrounded by fields and no tall trees.Is there any chance of getting any?I am looking at the Trendsetter 12 house.
Keep in mind, Martins can be quite resourceful when finding water.
Even small ditches that have water in them (and enough room) can be a place where they get water.
When I was a kid, I have great memories of watching Martins at our neighborhood pool.
There was an active colony at a home next door to the pool.
The Martins would glide down and drink, and splash bathe, in the lap pool (which was a smaller "half course" lap pool that was approx. 80 feet in length).
There could very well be numerous suitable "watering holes" for the Martins within a mile radius of your site, that you may not even be aware of.
Even small ditches that have water in them (and enough room) can be a place where they get water.
When I was a kid, I have great memories of watching Martins at our neighborhood pool.
There was an active colony at a home next door to the pool.
The Martins would glide down and drink, and splash bathe, in the lap pool (which was a smaller "half course" lap pool that was approx. 80 feet in length).
There could very well be numerous suitable "watering holes" for the Martins within a mile radius of your site, that you may not even be aware of.
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John & Linda - KY
- Posts: 599
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:19 pm
- Location: Kentucky/Hawesville
Most farm ponds are plenty large enough for martins to drink & bathe. -- John
Got on Google Earth and seen two ponds that are properly 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile from the house.Trying to get educated on all they will need so if I do get some they will want to stay.I don't want to put up substandard housing and have to change it out in a year or they come and not want to stay.I have even talked myself into being able to kill House Sparrows and Starlings.That was a hard pill to swallow for me.
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Ed Svetich-WI
- Posts: 815
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
- Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
- Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.
Start small with a 12 compartment house and/or a dozen Excluder Gourds with SREH. Why make a major purchase? The martins will not care.You could end up with a very expensive empty yard ornament. Go small and slow and grow into your martin colony.
Ed
Ed