Thomas Jonker
- Coatesville, IN
- Putnam County
- I have commercially made housing that has been modified and housing that I\'ve made. I have a couple of homemade sparrow traps and employ all SREH. You are welcome to come out and sit a spell. Help do nest checks, have a house building party, or whatever. I also have tree swallow and bluebird active housing. Am willing to come to your place too, to talk martins but encourage you to come by first. Tom
- 60 Gettysburg
Coatesville, IN 46121
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- Posted: February 2008
Greg Berger
- Delta, OH
- Fulton County
- I have two SuperGourd rack colonies with 24 gourds total. For 2007 season I had 20 martin pairs and 75 babies fledged. 2008 will be my 9th year. Be hopeful – I only had 2 pair my 1st year.
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- Posted: January 2008
Gary and Sandy Funk
- Owensboro, KY
- Daviess County
- Sandy and I have been caring for Martins for 10 years. We provide 44 nesting cavities east of Owensboro, KY on highway 54 in Stonegate subdivision. The site consists of 32 modified Supergourds and 12 custom wooden nesting boxes. The nesting cavities have 80 to 100 sq. inches of nest area respectively, they are all equipped with external porches. The Supergourds are fitted with internal porches and raised floors. All have Starling Resistant Entrance Holes (SREH). Over the last several years we have expanded and upgraded our nesting site from 12 nesting cavities (Heath House, discarded) to the current number of 44 units. We provide calcium (egg shells) continuously and supplemental food during inclement weather. We track stats on the site each year. The numbers below reflect our conservation efforts for the past two years with the number and quality of nests unchanged year over year.
Nesting pairs: 34;
Eggs: 5.0;
Hatched: 4.7;
Reached 10 days old: 4.3;
Fledged 4.2;
Egg to Fledged 84%;
Best Year 2005; 36 nests with 152 birds fledged.
Contemplating a nesting site? We suggest gourds with SREH to start, be patient they will get in. Add external porches to the gourds. Be able to raise and lower the cavities for access. Good luck and may you have many, many fledglings.
- 4618 Stonegate Drive
Owensboro, KY 42303
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- Posted: June 2006
Nathan Maxwell
- Paw Paw, MI
- Van Buren County
- This colony has been active since 1998. We have two 12 hole hexagonal metal houses and 4 gourds. We used a Purple song CD the first year to get them to visit the site. We had approximately 90 fledglings in 2005. We are willing to help out any new comers that need help starting colonies or improving their martin colonies. Feel free to ask any martin questions.
Attracting Purple Martins and managing a colony does require committment and work, but it is a very rewarding experience that will give you years on enjoyment.
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- Posted: April 2006
Larry Melcher
- Shepherdsville, KY
- Bullitt County
- My father started my interest in PM's back in the 70's. He is still a PM landlord today. I have started my own colony at my home. I have the original Grandpa 12 aluminum house with converted 6x6x12 compartments, and a 12 Supergourd rack. Total of 18 nest sites. I am up to 9 pair in my 4th season. More every year. I also have revived an old colony at Ford Motor Co, Louisville Assembly Plant. We had to relocate houses due to preforming weekly nest checks in a safe area. We have 2 colonies, about 36 cavities each. 31 nests in 2003, 31 nests in 2004. A success considering the changes. At Ford I have the opportunity to answer questions to any future landlords or those that need some tips to help their existing colony. MAKE SURE you surf PMCA's website. Most all of your questions can be answered here. I have learned so much from just reading their literature. Glad to help if you need further assistance!
- 207 Ricky Drive
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
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- Posted: March 2005
Troy Hart
- Big Clifty, KY
- Grayson County
- I have had martins for 6 years I have 3 houses and 54 gourds. The houses are two t-14s and one 16 compartment house on a pivet post. I built all my houses myself at a friends house. I have had over 34 pair of nesting martins at my site.
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- Posted: January 2005
DIANE L. HAINES
- Avon, IN
- Hendricks County
- I have been a member of the purple martin society for 9 years. I have had purple martins at my site for 8 years now. My colony has been growing each year. I have done a lot of research and observations on the purple martins. I have also helped several others start their own colonies. Purple martins are my main hobby,next to bluebirds and gardening. I have learned a lot through trial and error. I feel confident about what I now know about the purple martins.
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- 317-240-1411
SARAH THOMPSON
- Florence, IN
- I have had a colony for two years, but experienced a rough time getting started. I have a homemade rack with a winch that supports 20 gourds in a double helix pattern. Last year I had success converting my gourds to home fashioned SREH crescents, and this year I will be adding side access doors to my natural gourds. I enjoy growing gourds as well as watching the birds fly and hearing them sing. I am not very experienced, but I do enjoy problem solving.
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ROBERT COATS
- Portland, IN
- I have 3 gourd racks, 8 gourds on a rack, plus metal houses. I had 35 pairs nest last year. Have had martins for 10 years.
- 1289 W 450 S
Portland, IN 47371
- 219-726-2295
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Debbie Melvin
- Waynetown, IN
- Montgomery County
- We purchased a used Martin House at a sale. We have been searching for information on placement and how to get Martins attracted to our area, any information would be appreciated.
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- Posted: April 2010
Matt Doering
- Bartlett, IL
- DuPage County
- I just moved into a house August 2009 with an active population. All the previous owner told me was to make sure I plug the holes--so i did. He also told me they have been active for a while. I back up to 3000 acres of forest preserve and the housing is in a good location. I would like to learn about maintaining this population and keep the martins coming back.
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- Posted: December 2009
Jerry Merrick
Chris Owen
- West Lafayette, IL
- Tippecanoe County
- Moved into a new home recently with active martin colonization. Have house up and already have cleaned several sparrow nests out. Several male/female (I believe) pairs are \"twitterpating\" Would appreciate any input and general discussions about martins.
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- Posted: May 2009
Jack D Ferguson
- Wabash, IN
- Wabash County
- I have read about the purple martin in a publication I received when I puchased the housing. I belive there was a pair that came to the housing on June 7th. I had caps on the compartment openings and of course they could not enter. I approached the house slowly to lower it to remove the closures and the birds flew away. When I raised the house again I think one flew by but they did not return. Should I close the house and wait until next year or should I leave it open?
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- Posted: June 2008
Greg Actis
- McCordsville, IN
- Hancock County
- After moving to a new home. I decided to build and put up a Martin house. The house is similar to the Trio Castle, but with 30 larger rooms. I attracted 2 nesting pairs by the end of May. Both nests fledged young even though one male was killed (by a hawk?) By July I had 12-15 birds at a time visting the house daily, although the parents never brought the young back for the night as I was expecting. I have several questions on what to expect for this coming season. I\'ve also read that I should convert to the cresent shape openings. Any advice would be appreciated.
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- Posted: January 2008
Dennis Knight
- Greenwood, IN
- Johnson County
- I am just developing an interest in participation in the colonization effort for Purple Martins. I do not have housing established at this time, and want to avoid significant errors, including trying to set up housing on an unsuitable property. I live in a suburban area just south of Indianapolis on a 1/3 acre lot. I am interested, initially, in an evaluation of the lot as to its suitability for PM housing. While I can meet the 40 foot requirement with respect to trees and other large structures, the lot is in a fairly dense suburban setting. I would appreciate help in this evaluation, as well as ongoing help in establishing a colony.
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- (619) 507 0758
- Posted: November 2007
Tim Crites
- Sheridan, IN
- USA County
- I have the multipurpose pole arrangement with two (2) grandpa houses after three seasons of trying this is my second season. I am intersated in selling four (4) supergourds with starling-resistant openings. The pourches are installed with two (2) extra. The price as $50.00 with the freight to be added. These would be avaiable after the season since their in place. I would rather purchase the round hole for next season. These are only new, the first season this year.
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- Posted: August 2005
dan doll
- Cin, OH
- Hamilton County
- second year with house up. Am next to the ohio river and have a pretty open yard. Got excited the other day because I thought that I had a pair of martins at the Martin House. NO Just tree swallows. It sure beats house sparrows that i evict constantly. Should I evict the tree swallows?
- 5180 clareridge ct
Cin, OH 45238
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- Posted: May 2005
Mary Schoenbaechler
- Louisville, KY
- Jefferson County
- I am interested in finding out if my site is workable for purple martin housing. I have no experience, and would appreciate any help. Thanks!
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- Posted: April 2005
terry trowbridge
- greensburg, IN
- decatur County
- I have no colony experience period. I have a new pond and someone mentioned putting up a martin house for lowering bug aggraivation. So I got on line to read about them and I\'m already in love with a bird I knew nothing about just a few days before. I guess I\'d never even seen one to my knowledge. But just reading about them has made me want to invite them to live in my space. And I don\'t want to get discouraged and give up on the idea from doing the wrong things off the bat. I have a good area for a house plus water near it too. I just need some advise. Some of these houses I\'ve looked at on line are expensive I thought for a bird house. I didn\'t realize they were that pricey. Anyway, thats some about me and my martin experiece which is none. All help appreciated. Thank You, Terry
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- Posted: April 2005
mark floyd
Kevin Couch
- Erlanger, KY
- Kenton County
- I would love to get martins. I know it is very difficult, and I need a lot of help. I have some obstacles to overcome, but am willing to do what it takes.
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- Posted: March 2005
Joe Teeter
- Union City, OK
- Darke County
- I am just getting started. I think I may order a new house (Coates WatersEdge) in the next couple weeks. It is 2/13/05 today. Any help or advice would be very welcome. Thank you Joe Teeter
- 310 N Division St
Union City, OK 45390
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- Posted: February 2005
PAM & MIKE JONES
- Bicknell, IN
- Knox County
- I am new to trying to attract these beautiful birds. We have purchased two plastic construction purple martin homes. One with 16 spots and resembles a barn and one that nests 12 that is pure white. One is up on a telescoping aluminum pole and I have seen several scouts but no takers. Please help. Once we communicate, I would be happy to share data, etc. but I'm currently a novice but a true animal lover.
- 814 East 4th
Bicknell, IN
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DON FRISZ
- Scottsburg, IN
- Scott County
- I had an active breeding colony of three pairs at my previous home in Scott county. Last year, an interested pair made an attempt to nest, but starlings drove them off. This year I believe that I have a better starling controll plan.
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MR & MRS ROBERT ROSCH
- Terre Haute, IN
- At present we have a metal martin house and gourd rack that was built last year from plans we purchased from PMCA. Over a ten year period we have not had any success in attracting Martins to our site. We have seen them nearby but not in our yard.
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ANDREA PERRY
- Bruceville, IN
- This is my first year trying to attract Purple Martins, we just got our house up. I would appreciate any and all advice or suggestions. I am also looking for the dawnsong tape.
- 4352 N. Camp Arthur Rd.
Bruceville, IN
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SANDRA LAMP
- Avilla, IN
- We just purchased our martin house and we are looking for any pointers.
- 2235 S 825 E
Avilla, IN
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DAVE
- Greens Fork, IN
- Hello and my name is Dave. I'm in a small town of 416 citizens. My property including a lot of my dad's total 1.5 acres. Between my grandfather and my dad and now myself, we all have been trying to get martins to take up residence for 30 years with no luck. This year, I've been all over the internet gathering info and I have hope that things will change this year. My dad and I cut down a large maple tree that was to close to our sites. He has been using an aluminum house of which I feel the compartments are too small from what I have read. I have been reworking a wooden house that is probably about 15 years old, but like new. Problem is, 12 compartments that are pretty much 5 x 5 x 5. I put in SREH openings and went down to 4 compartments of 7 x 5.25 x 10.5. That's about the best I could do as far as reworking the old house. My plans are whether I have any luck at all or not, to get a better telescoping house for next year. Felt it was worth a try to change this old house over. I will have pictures available real soon. I am also documenting everything I do in writing and with pictures. In the past, my dad has seen martins land on his aluminum house and then fly off. They never stay. He has a 30 x 40 pole barn about 40 ft. from his site and he said he has never even had a martin fly inside his barn and right back out. But they wont stay at his site. This year his aluminum house site will be in the same location with 2 plastic gourds hanging below. My site will be a wooden house, painted white with 4 SREH openings and it will be exactly 12 feet up. I hope it till be up soon. I was thinking about plugging 2 openings and leacing 2 open. And ideas? A friend of mone who has several houses and an established site in Richmond, ON had a scout show up at his plac eon March 24. Talked with him yesterday an dhe has seen no more. There is a small stream that always has water about 300 ft. west of my site and there are 2 ponds within a mile of the site. So as you can tell, I'm ate up on these birds. Grandpa and dad have tried for 30 years. Somehow I'm gonna do it! Thanks for reading this.
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ERNEST ACORD
- N. Manchester, IN
- Need information on housing, would like to build a martin house.
- 12546 State Road 13 N
N. Manchester, IN
- 219-982-2583
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