Hello everyone

[omyakinback]

Im a newbie. This is truly a great sight for green horns wanting to learn about Pm. Got a cheap pm house as a gift,knew NOTHING about the birds. Erected the house 2011, then found this web sight and learned a wealth of info on what to do and not to do. Being a gardener, I had a few under size gourds I grew the previous year and hung them under the house,bought a dawn song played it and had several visitors right away. A little later in the summer after I caught my breath after the spring rush I built a gourd rack, made and hung some more undersized gourds,and got still more visitors. Last summer I managed to grow 16 gourds,so now I have some really nice home made gourd housing. I consider this to be my 1 st year, and am really excited and hopeful for a productive year. Now for a few questions that have probably been answered on the forum but I can't seem to find them. Is it better to fill the gourd rack even if some of the gourds are a little small. Most of the gourds are in the 9-11" range but 4 are 7-9". I can hang 12-24 gourds on the rack I made. Of course I will be growing more gourds this summer to get larger one to replace the smaller ones. Another question, has anyone ever used small butter tubs as nest check holes. If the snap on lid holds I don't see why they wouldn't work. I also used peanut butter jar and Miracle Whip jar. Thank you for such a great sight. Hope to be a contributing member, and look forward to many years of fellowship with the PMCA

[LDCLSU]

Welcome

I just joined myself. Its been great and very helpful. Good luck this year

[dsonyay]

When you consider that MANY people have 6" X 6" compartments, heavily populated by PMs, your 8 to 9" gourds would be adequate.

Over time you can replace them with bigger ones. Do you still have the "cheap" house? Why not keep it and modify it so the compartments are 6 x 12"?

The butter lids might seem fine for now, but I'd be concerned about them sitting in the elements full time. Of course, if you paint them, they should be ok, but I'd be a little worried about the lids popping off.

My friend uses the big plastic coffee cans and has converted them to a "gourd like" home. They are painted and have held up well for a few years.

Welcome to the forum

[MB12RING]

On the smaller gourds if you can add a tunnel of some kind it will help protect Martins from reach in attacks by owls and racoons.

This type is made from schedule 30 PVC with a glue on cap, the porch is part of the pipe heated up and bent flat.

They're pretty easy to make and add valuable depth to the gourd.

[~Ray~Gingerich]

Welcome to the forum
You will learn all you need to know about Martins, tree swallows and blue birds right here on the forum.

[Gobbler T]

Welcome aboard to the both of you.

[Stretch]

What Tony said....welcome! You have hit the gold mine.

[Don~VA]

Welcome to the Forum. I think you will really enjoy it here. Like David said, there are many Purple Martins nesting in 6x6 compartments so those 9" gourds will make a good martin home. Best of Luck this season!

[Dave Duit]

Welcome. As mentioned before, you will find all you need to know about martins at this website. Experienced martineers have loads of advice and insight to virtually all subjects dealing with martins. i wish you many years of fun with your new hobby of martins.

[Tim Stover]

welcome aboard be very careful this very addictive good luck

[Dave Reynolds]

omyakinback --

Like Tim said this Hobby is addictive, Hang in there and have a good year.

Dave -- in Little Hocking, Ohio