Purple Martin Forum

Two of three young from our single nesting pair fledged 2 days ago. I observed both birds flying with the parent birds each of the past two evenings. The remaining nestling was seen looking out of the gourd as well, and remains there today. This evening, I watched both parents flying above our prope...

As I am also concerned about this heat wave here in northern Indiana I've read this thread with some interest. I have my first pair with three nestlings currently at 12 days old. I intend to follow the suggestions given here next season when I am better prepared with a much nicer setup, but my curre...

As a first year landlord myself I can't speak to appropriate opening timing for opening housing, but did successfully attract a ASY pair to nest in my first year. As flyin-lowe described, I suspect these birds abandoned a nearby colony as they did not arrive until May 27 in NE Indiana. I attribute m...

I know this topic was recently discussed so not new information, but while watching my pair's activity at our 4 gourds a moment ago I definitely observed the female bringing in a green leaf. This is day 10 of incubation. Was neat to see for this newbie and thought I'd share. Have had a SY male visit...

I just completed a nest check on my one ASY pair. Previous check on 6/9 found 2 eggs, today 3. I'm sure there is always variability, but is 3 eggs atypical for a ASY pair? Given that my first ever pair of martins (the only martins I've ever seen at my 4 gourd setup) are ASY birds, I've considered th...

Thanks! I did a nest check on Tuesday. Green leaves with 2 eggs! My observations after work today suggest a shift in behavior. I saw the female leave once for maybe 15 minutes before returning. Male spent most of the time perched on dead tree branch overlooking the yard. I thought maybe incubation b...

Thank you for the recommendation, flyin-lowe. I will look into the AAA. I originally purchased my tri tel pole for a homemade bat house, which was quite heavy and worried me about bending/breaking it. I then bought the rack and 4 gourds since I already had the pole in hopes of having gc flycatchers ...

Thank you for the suggestions. It sounds like adding a second rack of 6 gourds (to a total of 12 gourds) to my current pole is the way to go. I was looking at the bo plus and will go with those. Definitely need the inspection ports. Trying to peer in through the entrance with a dental mirror is chal...

I have a pair of ASY martins this year. My current set-up is 4 S&K Bo Basic gourds on a telescoping S&K tri-pole. In addition to the 2 birds I often see multiple birds flying overhead and have had several visitors over the past 2 weeks. I am wondering what a reasonable expansion would be for next ye...

So, I posted a few questions on this forum last week after a surprise visit from a ASY martin resulted in my becoming an unexpected martin landlord. I had put up 4 budget style S&K gourds on a pole 4 years ago hoping for a great crested flycatcher. They provided target practice for starlings and hou...

Will do. Thanks again for the advice!

Thank you for the suggestions. Regarding adding to without changing my configuration, I am so new to this I don't even know what options I would have. I have room to add 2 gourds to my current setup. Or maybe another pole with a house/additional gourds? Update: The pair seem interested in one of the...

Attached are photos I took last night (I know they aren't the best images) of my set-up at home. The birds have spent the night the past two nights. The male on Weds night, and a male and two females last night. They have gone into all 4 gourds many times, but the 2 females seem to have decided on 2...

I have 4 S&K gourds on 15ft aluminum pole I put up 5 years ago (hoping for tree swallows or great crested flycatcher). After losing nests of bluebirds, pileated and red headed woodpeckers and tree swallows to starlings and house sparrows this spring, I got serious about making our property inhospita...