Darryl Holden and I drove over the weekend to Rainsville, Alabama to see the colony of Mr. Jerral Johnson. We saw pictures of his colony at MartinFest a few weeks back and had to check it out. Mr. Johnson currently has up over 2,000 cavities for martins with more being installed as we speak, and told us that he had confirmed 1,067 pairs of nesting martins this year.
All of his gourd racks have winches for easy lowering and raising. He also has a double decker gourd line with around 240 gourds on it that can be inspected via cherry picker. He has killed the grass beneath the gourds poles and said he believes this discourages rat snakes from approaching the poles.
We sat out Saturday night and were amazed at the noise level on the gourd racks, which are spread out over an extensive area. His helper is a gentleman named Randall, and he conducted nest checks this year to verify nests with either eggs and/or young. I have no reason to doubt that this is now the largest colony of purple martins ever identified. His neighbor across the road also has a colony of around 200 pairs, and Mr. Johnson tells us that there are several other colonies within a short distance that would make this area have the highest concentration of nesting martins that I have ever heard of.
Mr. Johnson says that his goal is to exceed 2,000 nesting pairs. He is considering having a martin festival there at some point in the future, and his site is open to the public. - Kent Justus / Mt. Vernon, Arkansas
New Largest Colony With 1,067 Pairs Identified in Alabama
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Kent Justus
- Posts: 128
- Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 5:59 pm
- Location: Arkansas/Mount Vernon
- Attachments
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- Only some of Jerral Johnson's gourd racks in Rainsville, Alabama 2013
- Martins1.jpg (50.76 KiB) Viewed 24702 times
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- Ingenious idea of merging two gourds with entrances facing opposite directions from Rainsville, Alabama 2013
- Martins2.jpg (62.38 KiB) Viewed 24702 times
Last edited by Kent Justus on Tue Jul 02, 2013 12:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Peggy Riley
- Posts: 885
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:21 pm
- Location: TX/Tolar
Amazing! Thanks for sharing Kent.
Peggy
Peggy
PMCA Member
2017 101 pair
2017 101 pair
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
Yes, I can imagine the noise level also! A truly amazing colony though.
PMCA Member
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Darryl Holden
- Posts: 51
- Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2003 9:59 pm
- Location: Alabama/Meridianville
Here are some panorama pics of the colony!
- Attachments
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- 018_opt.jpg (35.98 KiB) Viewed 16706 times
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- 021_opt.jpg (41.33 KiB) Viewed 16847 times
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starling shooter
- Posts: 461
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:43 pm
- Location: Central MO
Are those old satelitte dishes??? Homemade gourd racks??
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M.Stephens
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:14 pm
- Location: Texas/Texarkana
Starling shooter, they are old satellite dishes. Darryl and Kent please do keep us posted if an Alabama Martinfest comes to fruition.
Malcolm
2015 (110 nesting pair)
2014 (92 nesting pair)
2013 (75 nesting pair)
2012 (35 nesting pair)
2011 (20 pair)
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PMCA Member
2015 (110 nesting pair)
2014 (92 nesting pair)
2013 (75 nesting pair)
2012 (35 nesting pair)
2011 (20 pair)
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PMCA Member
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tonyg
- Posts: 1520
- Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
- Location: Olpe, KS
- Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..
Wow is all this landlord can say!!!!
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
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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
wow.. the only way I could get to 1000 is if my wife left me. 
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
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Mitch Booth
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:23 am
- Location: Akron, OH
- Martin Colony History: 2012 - 0
2013 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 2 fledged
2014 - 0
2015 - 1 pair, 5 died during week of rain
2016 - 0
2017 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2018 - 4 pair, 19 eggs, 19 fledged
2019 - 7 pair
2020 - 17 pair
Wow!!!
The Discovery Channel needs to do a story on that Colony!!! Or How Do They Do It? That is truly amazing!!!
I would love to visit!!
Mitch
The Discovery Channel needs to do a story on that Colony!!! Or How Do They Do It? That is truly amazing!!!
I would love to visit!!
Mitch
2020 - 17 pair 77 eggs 69 fledged
2019 - 7 pair
2018 - 4 pair 19 eggs, 19 fledged
2017 - 1 pair 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2016 - 0 only visits
2015 - 1 pair 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 dead on days 6-7
2014 - 0 only visits
2013 - 1 pair 3 eggs, 2 hatched, 2 fledged
2012 - 0
2019 - 7 pair
2018 - 4 pair 19 eggs, 19 fledged
2017 - 1 pair 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2016 - 0 only visits
2015 - 1 pair 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 dead on days 6-7
2014 - 0 only visits
2013 - 1 pair 3 eggs, 2 hatched, 2 fledged
2012 - 0
I agree with "wow". Thanks so much for sharing this information and photos, truly incredible.
2011: First house late June, lots of visitors
2012: One pair of SY, 5 fledged
2013: 4 pair, 18 fledged
2014: 4 pair, 20 fledged
2015: 14 pair
2016: 18 pair
2012: One pair of SY, 5 fledged
2013: 4 pair, 18 fledged
2014: 4 pair, 20 fledged
2015: 14 pair
2016: 18 pair
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MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Now that's taking an obsession to a whole 'nuther level ! I do agree that a TV show should take this on... I might just watch TV again!
~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
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DebA
- Posts: 1941
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
- Location: Pratt County/Kansas
- Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.
Goodness. I have seen that somewhere around here...poles everywhere the eye can see. Oh wait, that was a windmill farm. Just think if those were lit up they'd look like the Vegas strip.
Dorn - I am the martin nut in this marriage and even I would probably leave you.
Incredible.
Deb
Dorn - I am the martin nut in this marriage and even I would probably leave you.
Incredible.
Deb
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
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MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Deb, you missed your calling as a stand up comedienne! You should put together a skit and go onstage at one of the PM get -togethers! You'd have them rolling in the aisles! LOL
~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
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scottfreidhof
- Posts: 349
- Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:13 am
- Location: Kentucky/Morehead
Two thoughts: first, I suddenly feel inspired to do more for purple martins, and second, how can there be enough insects in the air around that colony to feed that many martins? Truly amazing!
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Glynn B - LA
- Posts: 320
- Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 3:59 pm
- Location: Louisiana West Monroe
Mother nature will show one day and it will be catastrophic. 
Glynn
Glynn
2019 26 pair 116 fledged
2018 20 pair 76 fledged
2017 19 pair 82 fledged
2016 13 pair 48 fledged
2015 3 pair 13 fledged
2014 1 pair 4 fledged
2013 2 pair 6 fledged
2012 0 pair
2011 0 pair
I don’t have the perfect site. One open flyway with trees within 80 ft. I do have a small pond they utilize during the heat of Summer. (2017) HEAVY HAWK PREDATION
2018 20 pair 76 fledged
2017 19 pair 82 fledged
2016 13 pair 48 fledged
2015 3 pair 13 fledged
2014 1 pair 4 fledged
2013 2 pair 6 fledged
2012 0 pair
2011 0 pair
I don’t have the perfect site. One open flyway with trees within 80 ft. I do have a small pond they utilize during the heat of Summer. (2017) HEAVY HAWK PREDATION
I'm doing some catching up on the forum this afternoon. A rare break these days. Whatever happened to the good old days when 100 pair of Martins was considered a big deal? LOL
Jerral is a super nice guy. I have known him for years. I knew him "back when." Back when he had 2 gourd racks and had to "compete" with supercolonies in the area to get Martins to nest. He has a neighbor over the hill named Clyde that was more or less my Martin mentor, and most likely Jerrals too. Clyde had Martins for decades. He was using all round holes when we first met but convinced himself to change to SREH when I made him 20 gourds with WDC entrances, with porches, cut directly into the gourds. The first year he used those gourds, 19 out of 20 were occupied. That was a much higher percentage of use than his round hole gourds had. Clyde is also the one who introduced me to the first version of the trap that I ended up selling online for a while. I tinkered with the trap and modified it and we ended up partnering up and making and selling the traps. It's the same trap which the plans are available in a "sticky" post on this forum.
I also know his neighbor Bradley who has the 200 pair. Clyde lives just over the hill and across the fence from Bradley. Clydes colony has declined in the past few years due Clyde being in poor health and due to being in a low lying area and Jerrals and Bradleys colonies having high ground.
Clyde made gourds for Jerrall when he still just had 2 gourd racks. I suppose the rest is now history. I use to be able to stop and talk to all those guys when before I changed careers but I haven't talked to any of them in nearly 2 years.
I have no doubt that there are more Martins nesting in the Rainsville, AL area than any other place in the world. I don't know how many pairs of Martins that Jerrall had this year, but IF it was 1500 pair, then I could easily locate another 1000 pair of Martins within a 5 mile radius of his place, and that's only the ones I know of. There is another colony with 150-200 pair that wouldn't be a mile as the Martin flies from Jerralls place. It's very likely that in that specific area that there are 2000 pairs of nesting Martins in one square mile. Sort of makes my little 100 pair colony look miniscule by comparison.
Between the numerous Barn and Tree Swallows in the area it surely is a testimony to the vast amount of flying insects. The numbers of insects that it would take to support this amount of aerial insectivores over an entire nesting season would be hard to imagine.
Jerral is a super nice guy. I have known him for years. I knew him "back when." Back when he had 2 gourd racks and had to "compete" with supercolonies in the area to get Martins to nest. He has a neighbor over the hill named Clyde that was more or less my Martin mentor, and most likely Jerrals too. Clyde had Martins for decades. He was using all round holes when we first met but convinced himself to change to SREH when I made him 20 gourds with WDC entrances, with porches, cut directly into the gourds. The first year he used those gourds, 19 out of 20 were occupied. That was a much higher percentage of use than his round hole gourds had. Clyde is also the one who introduced me to the first version of the trap that I ended up selling online for a while. I tinkered with the trap and modified it and we ended up partnering up and making and selling the traps. It's the same trap which the plans are available in a "sticky" post on this forum.
I also know his neighbor Bradley who has the 200 pair. Clyde lives just over the hill and across the fence from Bradley. Clydes colony has declined in the past few years due Clyde being in poor health and due to being in a low lying area and Jerrals and Bradleys colonies having high ground.
Clyde made gourds for Jerrall when he still just had 2 gourd racks. I suppose the rest is now history. I use to be able to stop and talk to all those guys when before I changed careers but I haven't talked to any of them in nearly 2 years.
I have no doubt that there are more Martins nesting in the Rainsville, AL area than any other place in the world. I don't know how many pairs of Martins that Jerrall had this year, but IF it was 1500 pair, then I could easily locate another 1000 pair of Martins within a 5 mile radius of his place, and that's only the ones I know of. There is another colony with 150-200 pair that wouldn't be a mile as the Martin flies from Jerralls place. It's very likely that in that specific area that there are 2000 pairs of nesting Martins in one square mile.
Sort of makes my little 100 pair colony look miniscule by comparison.Between the numerous Barn and Tree Swallows in the area it surely is a testimony to the vast amount of flying insects. The numbers of insects that it would take to support this amount of aerial insectivores over an entire nesting season would be hard to imagine.
High quality plastic gourds with porched, tunnelled SREH are Martin magnets.