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• Salem, VA
• Roanoke County
• I started trying late season last year with an SK tri level plastic house with no luck. I got an 8-unit Quad Pod system & put it up early March of this year. We also have blue birds and tree swallows that are nesting in separate nest boxes located on fence posts around our yard, but they do perch on the PM houses while they look for insects, etc. On Friday, May 26th, 2006 around 3:30 pm I had my first two PM visitors. They were not dark purple, but on looking at the Stokes Bird Book they looked exactly like either the female or sub-adult PM. My husband saw them too, through binoculars and agreed they were PM's. Oddly, they perched on our pole feeder that has several feeders, and one ate a few safflower seeds and a large brown seed that comes in songbird seed when you buy it. They flew about, checked out the SK plastic house and stayed for several hrs. then left as evening began. They showed up again on Saturday, the 27th, around 2:30 pm, and brought a third PM, and this one appeared to be all dark purple. They again looked at one of the SK units, then eventually the dark purple one flew off somewhere. The original two continued to fly and swirl about and perched on both of my PM units from time to time. As evening began to settle in, they flew off somewhere, and I haven't seen them since. I would like input on what this behavior means. Is there a chance they will return, or were they dissatisfied with my housing. I had crescent openings in all the units at the time. I have since changed three of the Quad Pod units back to the round holes. I would appreciate any input or advice that will help encourage PM's to take up residence in our housing. Thanks.
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• Posted: June 2006

• Edinburg, VA
• Shenandoah County
• I have erected a T14 house, but only a total of 6 units. the house is oriented East and West. I did not construct the smaller side units. I am in the process of adding hanging gourds to the unit. I live really close to the Interstate and I am afraid the noise and traffic might be keeping them away. I have saw martins around the house a few times over the years but no takers. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
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• Posted: March 2005