My heart goes out to all those who lost eggs, babies and adults this year. Thankfully, this year I had 3 pair with a total of 11 eggs and they all hatched. All the babies fledged as well. Reading stories of loss and tragedy help me prepare for the future because I know (unfortunately) that I will most likely face the same things.
I'm putting in a new gourd rack and pole later this Fall (northern martins are still passing right now) and want to make plans for emergency feeding in the Spring. I also need to clean up my "Martin Workshop" in the garage. It's a mess! I welcome any suggestions for things I need to address for the 2018 season. Thanks to all of you for your fellowship and support.
Becky Corbett. PM landlord since 2005; 12 supergourds.
Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
That's wonderful Becky! I say the most important is trap or shoot all sparrows and starlings.
Buy the bed and breakfast from pmca! You can put eggshells, nesting material, and supplemental feed on it! Good luck next year!
Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.
As Sharon said.... trap & kill as many HS & Starlings as you can. We were overrun with HS this year. Neighbors have breeding grounds...UGHH! We had one male HS that kept building a nest in one cavity. We'd rip it out & in an hour he'd have it rebuilt. We stayed on him & finally trapped him with a sticky trap. They tend to avoid the other traps, once you catch a few. They learn real quick.
Get your crickets or meal worms before it gets too cold to buy local or have them shipped. Freeze them in plastic bags & put that bag in a paper bag to prevent freezer burn. I'd start trying to supplement feed as soon as they arrive in spring. They are usually hungry after the long journey. Once you get one to take a cricket or meal worm the others will follow.
Make sure your gourds are leak free. Add what ever you need to make them better. Many add wind entrapment entrances.
Gather your pine needles before winter. The White Pines drop needles in October. Those will be the top layer. I usually gather 3-4 plastic grocery bags full, so I have plenty to change nests. If you have to go on state ground to get them go to your local DCNR & get permission first. I prefer to get mine way back off the road, so they are clean & salt free.
If you use straw the local farmers markets usually have small bales for sale.
Make a plug pole for your gourds, so you can plug holes when lowering your rack.
Save egg shells. I bake mine. Then crush them & store them in a ziploc baggie. I put out a cup full at a time.
I welcome any suggestions for things I need to address for the 2018 season. Thanks to all of you for your fellowship and support.