purple martin house

livvyandbella

17 years ago

I am getting a purple martin house. I am in Ma. Where would be the best place to put it in my yard?

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Comments (6)

kendra2003
17 years ago
Put it in the most open area you have. There is a ton of information on the PMCA's website. I put up my first one this year, and I also live in MA. Be prepared to deal with House Sparrows, and Starlings (if you don't use the Starling resistant entrances) I have had nothing but House Sparrows so far. Even if you think you don't have House Sparrows, they will show up once you put up the house. I've had one pesky couple that I have had a great deal of difficulty eliminating. They are very shy since they know I'm out to get them. Nonetheless, they brought back two more with them this morning. Once they see all those entrances, they are relentless. Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: PMCA
livvyandbella
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you for that site Kendra. I am going to go check that out. How do you keep the sparrows out?
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kendra2003
17 years ago
Just as with Bluebirds, you cannot keep the HOSP out. You have to trap and shoot.
livvyandbella
Original Author
17 years ago
I have some open space (I thought), but not sure if it will be open enough. I think the site said 100 feet from the tree? That is going to be difficult. I think the spot would be only 60ft from tree. Well I will have to put it up and hope for the best.
kendra2003
17 years ago
It's nice to know someone else around here is as kooky as me when it comes to trying to attract certain birds. I think my closest tree to my PM house is also about 60 feet. I believe the reccomendation is to keep it as far away as the trees are tall. So if you have a 60 foot tree, put the housing at least 60 feet away. One thing I know for sure is that if I don't try, I won't get them. I've read that some people try for 10 or 20 years before they get Martins to stay in their housing. I'm willing to be patient and give it a go. I've only had Martins visit once this year so far. Three of them showed up, but they didn't even land on the house.
organicgardener
17 years ago
I had a Purple Martin house up for 3 years before they nested. This is my first year. I installed 2 sparrow traps in the martin house. Try this link. You'll have to copy and paste. I still don't know how to post a live link.

http://purplemartins-r-us.com/trio-spareodoor-sparrow-trap-p-199.html

Linda C

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purple martin house

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kendra2003

livvyandbella
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purple martin house

Comments (6)

kendra2003

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