Helped St. Louis Audubon set up two new Trendsetters in St. Louis County's Creve Coeur Park this week. These are on the small western lake, beside a restaurant and jogging/bike path...shown here with muscle dude running (ha).
We have predator guards, but are still fiddling with them.
Hopefully will get martins. A STL Audubon volunteer will monitor the site...me consulting. Audubon is providing help to the park to enhance wildlife and natural areas.
As aside, an elderly man came over from dining at the restaurant and was as excited as a little kid...started asking questions about attracting martins and was shuttled over to me: should I leave my decoy up; how do I get rid of wasps; should I push out those door pop outs inside my new castle...whew....I told him to be patient as I was fiddling with a wrench and don' t have short answers (grin).
People need help, and many people, especially old guys, are not online. I gave him my phone no. and hope to hear from him...he was just so sincere and enthusiastic.
John M
New housing site in St. louis county, Creve Coeur park
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Last edited by John Miller on Mon Mar 26, 2012 7:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Joe Levins
- Posts: 226
- Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2004 7:56 pm
- Location: Alabama/Wetumpka
Looks like a ideal location John. Hope it fills up.
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DornCounty
- Posts: 2169
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
- Location: Rural SE Kansas
- Martin Colony History: .
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Trio-Jedi
my PM house comes with a pasty white guy too. Cool.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
John,
It is absolutely great what you are doing down there for our Purple Martins.
Keep up the good work.
I am thinking when that picture was taken that you were probably just out of the picture as you just ran right past that guy and left him in the dust.
Doug
It is absolutely great what you are doing down there for our Purple Martins.
Keep up the good work.
I am thinking when that picture was taken that you were probably just out of the picture as you just ran right past that guy and left him in the dust.
Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Matt
Yes...Trendsetter has begun installed the wing protectors ...thank goodness...one less thing to do. So we have two here along the shore...about 150 feet apart...maybe too far...but if one fills someday, I'm sure the other will. I had the volunteer keep one house closed for now, by turning the nest trays backward.
Matt, there is an old Trio grandpa (abandoned by boy scouts)...I think that's the model...a mile away, also lake side, sparrow haven. But birders each year see martins investigating it. I lowered and cleaned out and hoped to find an old martin nest, but was disappointed I did not. About 8 of 12 units were clogged. I recommended we leave the house up th is year for variety, but may change our minds.
Yes...Trendsetter has begun installed the wing protectors ...thank goodness...one less thing to do. So we have two here along the shore...about 150 feet apart...maybe too far...but if one fills someday, I'm sure the other will. I had the volunteer keep one house closed for now, by turning the nest trays backward.
Matt, there is an old Trio grandpa (abandoned by boy scouts)...I think that's the model...a mile away, also lake side, sparrow haven. But birders each year see martins investigating it. I lowered and cleaned out and hoped to find an old martin nest, but was disappointed I did not. About 8 of 12 units were clogged. I recommended we leave the house up th is year for variety, but may change our minds.