Purple Martin Forum

During my 25 year landlording this is second time I have seen this phenomenon - martin without pigmentation.
Very healthy and feisty.
Unfortunately the photo file is too large. - hard to believe I've seen many photos posted. Perhaps some of you can tell me how to do it.

Blessings to all.

Peter.

Great ideas but cold is not the problem.The birds have enough "insulation" to withstand sub zero temperatures.In cold spell lasting more than 7 days they die from starvation not from exposure. Mastering and perfecting feeding methods is the key to save your colony. I'm sure, for the birds, worm cavi...

Hi Simon,
I landlord two colonies in Ottawa for over 15 years. For the past two years Nature Canada in cooperation with York University caring study by putting tracking devices and GPS on the birds. You could visit my site sometime during PM season.

Blessings

Peter.

Hi Allan!

I have to capture the birds and put the GPS device in to special reader to retrieve the data. Signal sending device would require battery and will be to heavy for the bird to carry.

Peter

Hi All! Last year my birds participated in GPS/tracking device project. Below you will find few links that will explain what that project was about. Hopefully all tagged birds will come back but I have to wait three more months for my birds to come back. Best wishes, Peter. http://naturecanada.ca/ne...

Hi all! Hope you enjoy the summer and presents of martins. Geo locators and GPS devices placed on my martins in colony located at Nepean Sailing Club in Canada Below some links to videos and newspapers articles. Enjoy! Peter http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/purple-martins-outfitted-with-gps-...

Hi all!

I just got involved in ‘GEOLOCATOR’ project and there was TV program on Ottawa news.

http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=394180

Cheers, Peter.

Banding session at the Nepean Sailing Club colony in Ottawa, Canada. Very successful colony way up north. This year banding session will be held on July 06 starts at 9:00 am. We plan to band over 100 birds that day. The colony produces between 300 to 400 new martins every year. Enjoy the video. Pete...

Hi Virgil!

Of course I market the PM as mosquito eaters, and propobely they ocasionally eat mosquito or two (so it's not a lie) but not to extend that would effect mosquito population in our back yards.


Peter.

Hi all! The mosquito theory came about as marketing pitch. When cable television was introduced, one company that manufactured TV antennas ,to avoid going out of business, started to manufacture aluminum purple martin houses - the one with 12 6X6X6 compartments on the pole. To convince the potential...

My friend Dave lives 0.5 mile (in straight line) from me.He has PM colony (18 - 22) nesting pairs for the past 20 years. Few years ago we build 24 compartment wooden house (my design) and the Martins were thriving. I've been attracting PM for the past 15 years with no luck.Last year Dave got very si...

Hi all! 10 years ago I did similar thing. From few pairs nested in12 compartment,infested with sparrow and starling house in public location I design and build two houses expending the colony to 120 nesting pairs producing between 350 - 450 young for the past 7 years. Banding the nestlings become an...

I'm in Canada so the rules may be different. You have to find someone in your area who has banding licence and "use" him as a mentor. He will give you best advice.
Good lack, Peter.

Hi All!

Last martin flagged today (Aug. 26). This season I banded 294 babies (100 less than last year!) I had one "albino" and my banded bird that I've banded in 2007 was recovered in Brasil in Januay 2010.
Good year overall. Waiting for next season - "only" 8 months.

Peter

Hi Steve! Very good observations. This year the water level in Ottawa River - where my site is located - was very low. The river banks were exposed ( usually there are big bolders along the banks) and there was lots of mud. My martins went crazy building fortresses from mud in most of the nests. So ...

How - code 21 - found dead - unfortunately.

Peter

Hi Everybody! Exiting news for bird benders. My Purple Martin that I banded in 2007 (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) has been recovered in Brazil (click on link below) in January 2010. Attached recovery sheet and link to "descramble" the codes. We all know that they thy fly to Brazil for winter but it is e...

Don what do you mean time will tell - it's white with red eyes - what is it?

Peter.

I've banded over 2000 martins and this is the first one...
It is rare but I've heard of few cases before.

Peter.

Pics of ALBINO martin and its siblings

CHeers, Peter.