Purple Martin Houses'

TWO GUNS

TWO GUNS

Senior Member
How many members have Martin houses ?

Mrs. Two Guns & myself have four houses and six gords in a circle.

Sure help us on the mosquito population down here.
It's always nice watching the little ones make their maiden flight.

We will be looking for scouts coming in about four or so weeks .....

....... jamie
 

Attachments

  • PurpleMartin.jpg
    PurpleMartin.jpg
    76.9 KB · Views: 195
  • purple-martin.jpg
    purple-martin.jpg
    19.4 KB · Views: 191
Not a Martin

No Martin houses here. Have about 50 tree swallow houses. Most I have on posts. Some I put along the wood line and are not occupied by many birds. A few end up having mice take up residence. I also had this gray tree frog in one all summer. The house was located about 8 feet from the ground. He would peek out at me every day I drove by in the RTV.

XTROOPER
 

Attachments

  • 004.jpg
    004.jpg
    36.5 KB · Views: 187
  • 003.jpg
    003.jpg
    63 KB · Views: 189
Now that is sharp. I like that >>>>>

We have a big 'ole squirrel that stays in a big old abandoned bird house in a oak.
That squirrel is sneeky as a ghost.

We are fixing to put up a couple of more houses before the scouts show up.
In the spring time, we sit in the back on the swing watching the Martins
just cut up in the air. It will be hundreds of them. They will come in a perch so
close, not being afraid of us at all. And when they have youngins, seems like they push 'em out on the front, and start scawking and making noise, trying to get our attention. They are really comfortable around us. It is some peaceful
moments in life watching these critters.....
 
I really like that Two Guns and Xtrooper. I am a bird nut and also get a lot of enjoyment out of them. I have some Bluebird houses on posts and must watch for fire ants and snakes. I also have 2 martin houses. One of mine is right next to the garden and they don't like my tractor much at all. I feel I may need to move it a bit but am concerned about getting it to close to the trees. I heard they don't like being too close to trees because of predators. I love to see them swoop down and snatch a drink too. Two guns, is your house aluminum or plastic? I have both and was very concerned when the temps got over a 107 the past 2 years the metal one was so hot. I was glad when the juveniles were big enough to leave .. Thanks for any suggestions. bordercollie
 
We have 16 ABS gourds on an aluminum pole with a cable up/down crank. I need to get the gourds cleaned pretty soon. The martins start passing by any time after about Valentine's Day, and the homesteaders are usually moved in by March 9 or 10. We get a tremendous amount of enjoyment and feathery friendship from the birds. I don't know that they eat as many 'skeeters as rumors report ... I think bats do a better job than martins ... but they sure are fun to watch and listen to. I love our bird population. And deer population. And fox ... and mink ... and ....
 
Aren't Martins really particular about the houses they will occupy? Building Martin houses as a kid, I was told to build them an exact size with a particular size entrance hole.

We have a wide variety of birds around here (although Martins and Bluebirds don't seem to be among them much) but they keep at a fair distance. The dog keeps them (as well as the deer, turkey...) at bay.
 
Bczoom: Gourds have traditionally been the abode of choice for martins. I don't know whether it's because they prefer them or because there were plenty of gourds to put to use.

But this I do know: martins are the only birds that will enter gourds that have a crescent-shaped entrance hole: like the letter D lying on its back, with the curve on top. Eastern bluebirds, sparrows, wrens, blackbirds, finches, nuthatches, chickadees, titmouses, ... none of them will move into a gourd that has the D-shaped entrance. Only the martins.

Now ... as sure as I say this, someone will reply that he once saw a sparrow fly into a gourd that had a D-shaped opening. To which I reply: that sparrow had probably overdosed on holly berries.
 
bordercollie said:
Two guns, is your house aluminum or plastic? I have both and was very concerned when the temps got over a 107
Thanks for any suggestions. bordercollie
Click to expand...

We have the S&K Brand Martin homes.
http://www.skmfg.com/
They are plastic. Love them. Durable, even in very bad weather.
Easy to clean ( most models, if not all, front whole door panels just
flip up )
Easy to assemble ( that helps).

***
**** TRACTOR SUPPLY HAD THEM ON SALE, the barn type. $39
Also, you will like the "half slotted" holes. Keeps rice birds out !!!!

May I suggest, use the poles that they sell. Are something that looks like thiers.
They are triangle in shape and will not "sway" in storms.

First year, I used the "top rail" that goes on a chain link fence. DON'T DO THAT !!! Your birds will think they done moved into a circus arena. Them poles
swayed so much, never stopped, back and forth. And when a storm showed up.
They needed seat belts. Thought I seen them get "sea sick / motion sickness"
Poor birds >>>>:puke1:
 

Attachments

  • PM House.jpg
    PM House.jpg
    19 KB · Views: 177
Heatwave said:
Bczoom: Gourds have traditionally been the abode of choice for martins. I don't know whether it's because they prefer them or because there were plenty of gourds to put to use.

But this I do know: martins are the only birds that will enter gourds that have a crescent-shaped entrance hole: like the letter D lying on its back, with the curve on top. Eastern bluebirds, sparrows, wrens, blackbirds, finches, nuthatches, chickadees, titmouses, ... none of them will move into a gourd that has the D-shaped entrance. Only the martins.

Now ... as sure as I say this, someone will reply that he once saw a sparrow fly into a gourd that had a D-shaped opening. To which I reply: that sparrow had probably overdosed on holly berries.
Click to expand...

:agree::agree::agree: Posted before I read this post. But heatwave is right on this.
Martins are so pickey about their homes. Me and the Mrs. laugh, they will remind you of people. They will enter each home / hole that is not occupied, check it out, recon the are looking at the shape of the house and appliances, I really don't know. Crazy >>>> But they are something special to see.
They really don't like being to close to trees. My rule of thumb is, don't get them close enought for a squirrel to jump onto.

The pole like heatwave discribed is the best.


>>>>>>>> two guns
 
Thank ya'll for the good info. Only once I saw a hawk trying to get in my martin house- heard a ruckus and the martins were chasing this hawk and it came right to the house. I went out and did a dance and scared him off. He finally gave up. I like hawks too because the catch snakes and mice, (I saw one with a chicken snake dangling flying across the pasture) and they are federally protected as well. Also beautiful birds.Finally, I learned to appreciate them and their purpose on earth.. bordercollie
 
We had them for years. Then last year nothing. Neighbors who do nothing to there house's have em. I have noticed a pine limb growing toward the house's,maybe that the reason. Yes they can be picky!
 

Attachments

  • DSCN0408.jpg
    DSCN0408.jpg
    97.2 KB · Views: 164
BigBen,
That limb might be a problem. Anything out of the way to them, they will not
take home.
Another thing, if they are bothered much by something like field / rice birds / sparrows, etc .....
when they start showing up. They will abandon the site.

And don't ever let a dead bird be on the ground somewhere close. That will
do it for sure. We seen the aftermath where some Martings killed a sparrow
trying to move in. That bird was just lying on the ground. The other birds would
not come in, and they had little ones in all the houses' also. Pick up and discarded the dead bird. Within minutes, things were back to normal.
Strange things will effect them. Make sure all you low lying limbs are gone.
Also, how tall you have your houses make much difference also......

.......... two guns
 
While we are on the subject of birds. Please pay attention. I want all members to pay attention to this !!!!

Since I was a very young man, I loved hunting !!! Shooting was ALWAYS my thing. Love guns and shooting.
For years, when time come, Purple Martins scouts would show up. And about that time, sparrows would try to get into the Martin houses'.
I would shoot the sparrows, and shoot them, and shoot them. Gather the dead and discard of them.

Then, about fifteen years ago, a gentleman came walking by my place. I was sitting on a bucket.....He spoke, " Good Evening", and then kindly ask me what I was doing. Told him that I was "keeping the sparrows from taking over the Martin houses".
He then said, " they just trying to survive too ". My reply was " yes sir ".

Then he said something that has never left my mind.

He said, "do you know, that the sparrow is mentioned in the Holy Bible more than any other bird or animal ".

He then took a step, turn around and said, you might want to consider that
before you take another shot. That man walked away. Never seen him before,
and have not ever seen him since. But I can say this. I will never pull the trigger on another sparrow.
Might spook them off. Might wave a white flag. Might shake a stick at them. But never will I ever, kill on purpose, another sparrow.


For that gentleman was right !!!!!


........... Jamie ( Two Guns )
 

Attachments

  • sparrow_2.jpg
    sparrow_2.jpg
    14.9 KB · Views: 142
Yes Two Guns, another wise man told me that same thing last year and it is very true.(thank you) I only discourage the sparrows by removing the nests before they finish and of coarse before they use them. After a few times, they give up and move on. bordercollie
 
TWO GUNS said:
He said, "do you know, that the sparrow is mentioned in the Holy Bible more than any other bird or animal ".

He then took a step, turn around and said, you might want to consider that
before you take another shot. That man walked away. Never seen him before,
and have not ever seen him since.

For that gentleman was right !!!!! ........... Jamie ( Two Guns )
Click to expand...


That kinda reminds one of the the picture of the foot prints in the sand. I just wander who that man actually was????? Must have been somebody very special!!
 
pepr said:
That kinda reminds one of the the picture of the foot prints in the sand. I just wander who that man actually was????? Must have been somebody very special!!
Click to expand...

He must of been something special. He got my undivided attention. Then and now....

We live in a somewhat small town, everybody knows everybody !!! Kinda tight knit !!!

Something I do remember about him !!!
His eyes,
So blue you could almost see threw them.

........ jamie
 
Talking about Purple Martins reminded me of a story my MIL used to tell. When she was growing up in the country in Georgia, they pur up gourds for the Martins every year. When she was a teen, she started dating a boy whose last name was Martin. Eventually she came home one day and announced she had broken up with him. Her Daddy said, "Good! Now that your gourd is down, keep it down!'

Good memories.

Fred
 
LOVED purple martins as a kid at my grandparents home in southern Michigan, and I just purchased a house and pole.

I could use some guidance as to best location and orientation (N/S/E/W facing).

We have a 3-acre pie-shaped lot. House is on the flat high part, lot slopes to the lake and there is a band of timber on the lake edge. Between the lake-edge timber and the house, there are sloped, grassy wide-open areas that I felt would be suitable.

Also trying to attract and keep some orioles this year! My brother tells me he swears by putting either grape jelly or orange marmalade in a cone feeder, and orange sections held by nails on a board. Anyone have other ideas on the orioles?

Thanks!

Davooda
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top