My morning started out with going to another one of my colonies and grabbing some more pine needles. The North colony was running a little short of nest material. If you look close in the video I offer my martin two different trays for nest material and egg shells. One is on the gourd rack and the other one is on the third house from the right. Who else offers there martins with nest material? I personally like to and I always have because my colony has always been close to a major highway. I have seen many martins on the side of the road grabbing sticks and grasses etc. I have had many martins get hit in previous years. So I feel like offering it up high right next the housing is a plus and it keep majority of them off the ground.
https://youtu.be/eksK5_T6phs
Kyler,
Morning Activity!
-
Kyler
- Posts: 899
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:15 pm
- Location: Colby, Kansas
- Martin Colony History: PMCA Member - Project MartinWatch - Enlarged Compartments - SREH - S&S Control - Mite Control - Predator Guards - Heat Control ( Vents and Insulation ) - Supplemental Feeding -
Manage 7 different colonies in Colby Kansas.
Purple Martin Landlords of Northwest KS
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9HDLGlbCmSYcSExIySwUQA
2013 - 0 Pair -
2014 - 1 Pair -
2015 - 0 Pair -
2016 - 5 Pair -
2017 - 18 Pair -
2018 - 22 Pair -
2019 - 28 Pair -
2020 - 40 Pair -
2021 - 40 Pair -
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9HDLGlbCmSYcSExIySwUQA
2013 - 0 Pair -
2014 - 1 Pair -
2015 - 0 Pair -
2016 - 5 Pair -
2017 - 18 Pair -
2018 - 22 Pair -
2019 - 28 Pair -
2020 - 40 Pair -
2021 - 40 Pair -
-
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.
Hi Kyler, Agreed. I live near a corn field and I rip up small pieces of corn stalk fodder and place it on a raised platform feeding tray. The martins immediately take to the available material.
Hello kyler great video thanks for sharing it , I also have two platforms one with crushed egg and oyster shells and one with pine needles and small cherry leaves they love it and your right it is safer for them !
Robert , South Carolina
PMCA member
40 year PM landlord
2018 season
21 pairs 107 eggs 99 fledged
2019 season
23 pairs 122 eggs 105 fledged
2020 season
23 pairs 122 eggs 72 fledged
2021
PMCA member
40 year PM landlord
2018 season
21 pairs 107 eggs 99 fledged
2019 season
23 pairs 122 eggs 105 fledged
2020 season
23 pairs 122 eggs 72 fledged
2021
-
Kyler
- Posts: 899
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:15 pm
- Location: Colby, Kansas
- Martin Colony History: PMCA Member - Project MartinWatch - Enlarged Compartments - SREH - S&S Control - Mite Control - Predator Guards - Heat Control ( Vents and Insulation ) - Supplemental Feeding -
Manage 7 different colonies in Colby Kansas.
Dave,
Yes corn fodder is perfect. I have a corn field down the road about a 1/4 mile and I still have corn fodder in some of my cavities. They must love if they are flying that far to get it. Good luck with your colony Dave!
Robert,
I like that you offer leaves as well. I prenest all my compartments with pine needles and oak leaves and they seem to like it a lot. I have crab apple trees near by so my martins use them just before egg laying. Good luck Robert! Hope you have a great season!
Rafke,
It is very fun. It is work though. All of my colonies are located all around Colby. I can’t say exactly how far a apart they are. Just all over the town. Currently managing 7 colonies with a couple more up next year! Good luck this year!
Kyler,
Yes corn fodder is perfect. I have a corn field down the road about a 1/4 mile and I still have corn fodder in some of my cavities. They must love if they are flying that far to get it. Good luck with your colony Dave!
Robert,
I like that you offer leaves as well. I prenest all my compartments with pine needles and oak leaves and they seem to like it a lot. I have crab apple trees near by so my martins use them just before egg laying. Good luck Robert! Hope you have a great season!
Rafke,
It is very fun. It is work though. All of my colonies are located all around Colby. I can’t say exactly how far a apart they are. Just all over the town. Currently managing 7 colonies with a couple more up next year! Good luck this year!
Kyler,
Purple Martin Landlords of Northwest KS
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9HDLGlbCmSYcSExIySwUQA
2013 - 0 Pair -
2014 - 1 Pair -
2015 - 0 Pair -
2016 - 5 Pair -
2017 - 18 Pair -
2018 - 22 Pair -
2019 - 28 Pair -
2020 - 40 Pair -
2021 - 40 Pair -
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9HDLGlbCmSYcSExIySwUQA
2013 - 0 Pair -
2014 - 1 Pair -
2015 - 0 Pair -
2016 - 5 Pair -
2017 - 18 Pair -
2018 - 22 Pair -
2019 - 28 Pair -
2020 - 40 Pair -
2021 - 40 Pair -
-
flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3789
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
Corn fodder is top choice at my place as well.
2026 HOSP 28
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
-
Kyler
- Posts: 899
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:15 pm
- Location: Colby, Kansas
- Martin Colony History: PMCA Member - Project MartinWatch - Enlarged Compartments - SREH - S&S Control - Mite Control - Predator Guards - Heat Control ( Vents and Insulation ) - Supplemental Feeding -
Manage 7 different colonies in Colby Kansas.
Finally got my sign in place! Trying to get Purple Martins discovered you more people!

Kyler,

Kyler,
Purple Martin Landlords of Northwest KS
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9HDLGlbCmSYcSExIySwUQA
2013 - 0 Pair -
2014 - 1 Pair -
2015 - 0 Pair -
2016 - 5 Pair -
2017 - 18 Pair -
2018 - 22 Pair -
2019 - 28 Pair -
2020 - 40 Pair -
2021 - 40 Pair -
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9HDLGlbCmSYcSExIySwUQA
2013 - 0 Pair -
2014 - 1 Pair -
2015 - 0 Pair -
2016 - 5 Pair -
2017 - 18 Pair -
2018 - 22 Pair -
2019 - 28 Pair -
2020 - 40 Pair -
2021 - 40 Pair -
