If you are a Purple Martin landlord it is time to open your martin houses.
Reports of martin scouts arriving in Texas started in late January and they are now being reported in the North Texas area.
Scouts are usually older birds and may be either male or female birds.
If you are interested in putting up a martin house for the first time here are a couple of quick tips.
Martins need lots of room to fly. You'll need about 60 feet of clear air space around the house (60 feet to the nearest trees).
Martins like to be near homes. Try to locate in a range of 30-120 feet from human housing.
Select a house and pole design that makes it easy to raise and lower the martin house. You will need to be able to lower the house to remove house sparrow nests, if they show up.
Both gourds and apartment style houses work well.
Visit the Purple Martin Conservation Association web site to track arrivals and for detailed information on attracting Purple Martins.
http://www.purplemartin.org