purple martins

13 years ago

will p.m and b.b live in my gourds together thegourds are p m gourds.all they are doing today is fighting only 1

pair of p.m. have come so far.what do i need to do?

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Comments (6)

kendra2003
13 years ago
Is this your first time attracting Purple Martins? If so, you need to get the Bluebirds to move to a house separate from the Martin's rack. Otherwise the Bluebirds will probably scare off the Martins. If you have an established colony, it shouldn't be a problem. Excellent information on this can be found here and and here
bandjzmom
13 years ago
I agree with kendra. If the Martins have already chosen a gourd, I would close off the other gourds for a bit. Put up a Bluebird house elsewhere in the yard for the Bluebirds asap. If you had an established Martin colony, they would not allow the Blues to nest there. Martin housing is meant for the Purple Martins only.
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My PMs returned on April 28! I have beautiful songs and long swooping flights all over the place. The 16 gourds will provide safe housing/nesting areas for up to 16 pairs of birds. There is usually one or two males that will claim more than one gourd. His female will nest in their main one, but he won’t allow other martins in “his” empty gourd. I think I had 12 successful pairs last year. I’ll have to check my records. Spring migration is spotty this year. The Northern “Baltimore” orioles and Rose-breasted grosbeaks are back. I have several warblers, red-polls, and Harris’ sparrows passing through, too. The tree swallows are back, but no barn swallows yet. I sprinkle dried, crushed eggshells on the edge of the driveway for all the birds. All the swallows love them. I also have a gorgeous red-headed woodpecker hanging around the suet feeders with the Downey and Hairy WPs. The goldfinches are just starting to show a bit of their summer yellow color.
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burwoodbelle
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi Kendra,I have had scouts before in early March, but never a male/female pair at any time.I have put up gourds for 3 years now.I would love to keep them here,I will work at getting the bluebirds away from my Martin gourds tomorrow. Thank you for the info.
Pat
lisa11310
13 years ago
Burwoodbelle. I just put up my first Martin house so I will be watching you. I live a 5 minute walk from a lake where there are several established colonies, I hope to see some at least checking it out this year. So far only a HOSP has looked at it and he got away before I could get the 22 out. He has not been back. I was hesitant to put up a Martin house but Hubby got it for my Birthday so I have to try! If all it attracts is HOSPs it will come down!
burwoodbelle
Original Author
13 years ago
Well I took my P.M. gourds down today.I put up an 8 compartment condo where the gourds were,I cleaned the gourds realy good,will it be ok to put gourds back up tomorrow.The martins are still around,but have not seen them on the condo.Moved the gourd the bluebirda were in to apost about 40ft.away hope they go to it.(not yet).
Pat
bandjzmom
13 years ago
Pat, The Bluebirds should probably accept the gourd that you moved if they were already showing a lot of interest in the gourds. The Martins will nest in a house or in gourds. Since you had 4 Bluebirds so interested in gourds on the Purple Martin pole, maybe you should just leave the house (only)up for a bit and see if the Martins will go ahead and claim a compartment. That way, you won't have to chase the other birds off of the gourds. Just an idea.~~Angie

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purple martins

Comments (6)

kendra2003

bandjzmom

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purple martins

Comments (6)

kendra2003

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