gh, I will pot it for you. I would leave it potted for at least a month. From there on it should survive the winter in the ground, but don't overfeed it so it has a definite chance to harden off for winter. Give it light feedings of liquid fertilizers like Miracle-Gro for Roses at 1/2 the suggested rate once or twice a month until the beginning of August. Then let it harden off. I will get it potted up this weekend and nurse it until you adopt him.:) Rob

SJN You might try google on "Purple martins"Will give you much more info than I ever could lol Many pix of various designs and locations I seriously doubt this design is suitable but figured it would serve as a "sculpture " if not a working birdhouse ?? I think the hawk might discourage any interested birds anyway?? Certainly thinned out the bird feeders lol He looks so funny trying to balance on those 1/4 inch perches lol Anyway check out some of the sites on the martins gary

I was afraid that might be the case, they all look around the same size (martins) and info I found today said that the martins usually start to arrive here in February and look for nesting spots. In addition to All the other potential dangers/problems with the house/location where these martins are possibly planning to nest and raise babies, same neighbors also have a HAMM RADIO tower in their back yard and every year around late spring/ summer a great horned owl perches up there on and off and and hoots, I've heard him and seen him up there several nights in a row before. Is there anything I can do at this point, like put up a safe Martin house, or will they stay there now regardless? I'm hoping that if I talk to neighbors and explain the situation, they will do something about it. I feel sick at the thought of the martins going through whole process and end up losing babies or being harmed themselves. If I thought there was a possibility that they would relocate this late in the game, I'd gladly put up a safe place for them to nest and make sure it stays that wAy, although I'd be learning as I go, ughh, whole situation makes me nervous. I'm going to post the pics of the house and the birds tonight, I'm pretty sure the house is not the ideal layout either, it has little porches with metal railings on both floors and another railing across top and from what I've read so far, that makes it easy for owls to get to them. Thanks

Great set up, I am envious. Mine doesn't have nearly the open space. The gourds are plastic and they work great and are a lot easier to clean. You can also use them for bluebirds or smaller birds as single houses. Check purple martin bird houses for different sizes. The crescent shape opening is supposed to help keep starlings out.