Curt Welling
- Versailles, KY
- Woodford County
- Active colony since 2001, I had 45 pairs last year, expanding my colony some this year. I built my own house and gourd racks, my gourd racks are built from the PMCA design. I\'ve gotten extensive information from the PMCA website and forum over the years. I\'ve overcome most of the challenges a PM landlord is likely to encounter such as bad spring weather, poles knocked over by thunderstorms, sparrow and starling pressure, etc. I\'m enthusiastic and would love to help others get started.
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- 859 873 1303
- Posted: February 2009
Cheryl Castro
- Charlotte, TN
- Dickson County
- July 16, 2008 The Martins left today while I was at work. It was
really quiet around the house today. I'll miss the mornings of chatter
by the Martins.
I started with one 12 compartment house six years ago. Two years ago,
another house was put up. We started with 4 birds. Now there are too
many to count.
I wish there could be more publicity about the birds. More people
would like them, if they only knew how great these birds are at eating insects.
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- Posted: July 2008
Tom Brake
- Abingdon, VA
- Washington County
- My colony is located at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Southwest Virginia. Over the last 12 years it has grown from one nesting pair to over 70 pair. The enjoyment and relaxation Martins bring to my life is well worth the effort it takes to be a successful and responsible landlord.
Attracting Martins to your colony for the first time is not always an easy task. I have spent many more years as a landlord wanna-be than I have as a successful landlord. If you are looking for help or encouragement in establishing or improving your Martin colony don\'t hesitate to e-mail me.
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- Posted: February 2008
Walter McComb
- Clarksville, TN
- Montgomery County
- We have had an active colony since 1985. We live in a Subdivison & the colony is in our backyard. We had our best year in 2006. We have 44 holes &38 nesting pair & fledge 158 birds. Our first year over 150 fledge.
- 318 Nice Dr
Clarksville, TN 37042
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- 931-645-6565
- Posted: January 2007
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
Shirley & Anita Stirsman
- Central City, KY
- Muhlenberg County
- I have been a landlord for some 18 years. I started with one 12 hole wooden house,and last season I had 66 holes and am adding 16 natural gords this season. I fledged out of 38 nest 150 young birds last season. I am more than willing to try to help any one that is trying to get started as a MARTIN LANDLORD. Contact me at j.stirsman@dctoline.net
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- Posted: April 2005
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
nathan french
- east bernstadt, KY
- laurel County
- I have 18 gourds and three houses. I had 42 nesting pair last year. 12 more gourds were added this year.
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- Posted: February 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
BUDDY & CAROLYN BONDS
- Bowling Green, KY
- We have been Purple Martin landlords for the past 7 years. We would enjoy helping anyone that would like to learn more about becoming PM landlords. Last year, we helped 2 neighbors (that had both tried to attract martins for several years), and they both were successful in attracting these beautiful birds and having them reproduce at their location. If we can be of any help, we would love to hear from you. (20 miles from the TN border)
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Mike "Bluesman" Brown
- Lewisport, KY
- I have a very active colony of these wonderful birds and I would love to provide assistance to anyone that is interested in attracting them to their yard. I use Trio aluminum houses with crescent entrance holes, natural and plastic gourds. Last year, 2002, I had 56 pairs of martins that fledged 237 young. I have helped a lot of local landlords in my area improve their colonies or start new ones. I would be more than happy to give advice to anyone in the state of KY, southern Indiana, and southern Illinois area. Purple martins are one of Americas most fascinating birds and my dream is to keep their numbers at a healthy level so that they will always be a part of the wildlife of the United States. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about starting a new martin colony.
- 10822 Hwy 662
Lewisport, KY
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- 270-264-2928
- Posted: January 2003
BENNY JOE HITE
- Bardstown, KY
- I am a 3 year martin landlord with 41 egg laying pairs that laid 220 eggs, hatched 190 of them, and fledged 179 of the hatched eggs. 72 holes were offered to the martins with natural gourds, plastic gourds, and wooden housing. I am willing to help anyone to be a martin landlord. (Central KY between Elizabethtown and Lexington)
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GLEN RINGSTAFF
- Cadiz, KY
- I have a 31 pair colony near Cadiz. KY, which is about 15 miles west of Hopkinville. I am already working with a couple of people locally, but would be glad to help as many as would ask.
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James Daniel
- Frankfort, KY
- Franklin County
- 1630 Bridgeport Benson RD
Frankfort, KY 40601
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- 502-223-7613
- Posted: April 2008
dennis tipsword
- pana, IL
- christian County
- hello, this is the 16 of may, and i found 5 dead martins today they say its because of cold weather, and no encicks have you had this promble.
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- Posted: May 2006
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
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
Richard DaLE
- Manitou, KY
- Hopkins County
- I recieved a Martin house for X mas. But have been interested in starting one for some time. So I would welcome any and all help to get started. The house that I have has 12 nest sights and it is not the type that the pole goes through the middle. So I have to make a pole. We live out in the country on a one acre lot. I have seen Martins setting on our power line in the past. I would welcome any ideas to help get started. Rich Dale
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- Posted: January 2005
KEN WILLIAMS
- Pembroke, KY
- Christian County
- The only thing I knew about the purple martin was that they are good insect control birds. I used to build Bluebird houses and Wren houses, but a friend of mine in Hopkinsville, KY. got a new Martin house and he gave me the old one, if I would take it down. It's an 18 compartment house with porches and 3 levels with internal center holes and holes on the compartment floor near the inside. I am disabled with no income so I cleaned it as good as I could, painted the outside and bent the aluminum panels back in to their original shape. I've had it installed about 15 to 20 feet from the house at one end of an LP tank. I've only had it installed for about 5 days now. I would like to have a good set of plans and start building these houses and maybe make a dollar or two. I also need to know how I may become successful in having martins in my current house this year.
- 110 S. Main St.
Pembroke, KY
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- 270-475-2156
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