It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 3:01 pm

All times are UTC - 6 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Purple Martins
PostPosted: Sat Feb 19, 2005 10:44 am 
Offline
Moderator
Moderator

Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:52 pm
Posts: 351
Location: mckinney,TEXAS
Purple martins winter in South America. Many winter in Brazil and seem to head north right after Carnival in Rio. Purple martin scouts have been arriving in Texas since January and martin numbers are starting to increase substantially. If you already have a purple martin house its time to open it up. Make sure it is clean and dry on the inside.

If you are thinking about putting up a martin house for the first time here are a few quick tips.

1. Both the apartment house style and gourds work well. A minimum of 6-8 nesting cavities is recommended.
2. Martins eat insects on the fly. Make sure your martin house has plenty of free fly space around it. 100 ft. or more on at least one side is a good idea. You are unlikely to attract martins in the middle of a heavily treed area.
3. For maximum enjoyment and nesting success you will want to monitor the nests. This means you will need access to the nesting area. Select a good mounting pole, many now have winches and pulley systems to make this job much easier.
4. Playing the purple martin “dawn song” can help attract martins the first year.

More information on Purple Martins:
1. www.Birdzilla.com – follow the purple martin link on the left.
2. www.BirdzillaRadio.com – Search for “purple martin” to hear my interview with Louise Chambers, Education Director of the Purple Martin Conservation Association.
3. The Purple Martin Conservation Association www.purplemartin.org


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:39 am 
Offline

Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2004 5:07 pm
Posts: 30
Location: Argyle, Texas
We put up our first martin house this year and actually had two Martins checking it out. I love their song! and we really hope they will stay. Our yard and those around us are large, flat and without significant trees (yet) so it can get extremely windy, plus full sun. I'd like to know if it matters if their door openings face east/west, or north/south.
thanks much,
Julie


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 5:30 pm 
Offline
Moderator
Moderator

Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 1:52 pm
Posts: 351
Location: mckinney,TEXAS
I have never read anything that suggested one direction was better than another. They just need plenty of open space around them, which you seem to have.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 6 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by eWeblife