Thanks, brandon - I was thinking that maybe he didn't realize it was a "forum" - He was from another state - working for the electric company - and he was really impressed with the fact that we could grow perennials, etc. and I explained how I learned. He may just type in "wintersowing" - but hopefully he will realize there is a forum to talk about it. Carrie

What a treat! Thanks for sharing. I read such a discouraging article in the Chicago Tribune last week. It was about a bird tagging location near the Illinois/Wisconsin border that has been functioning for forty years. At first I thought the article said the number of birds had declined by ten to twenty percent, then...no, the number has declined TO ten to twenty percent of the migrating birds. They blame pollution and the declining habitat along migration routes. One of the tiny birds photographed had been recorded on migration from Northern Canada to South America. Our bird population has never come back more than a few percent from the die-off during avian flu a few years ago. I almost never see a crow or blue jay -- who thought I'd miss *them*?

Yes; I saw the vintage Purple Martin house, but I didn't respond on that forum, since I don't often post there. You folks are use to my Purple Martin/Native birds rants; they may think I'm odd. LOL I certainly understand why she was pleased and honored to have something from their friends house; I would be, too. But with all due respect and kindness, I would never offer it as serious housing for Purple Martins. With a lot of work, meticulous modifications, and careful monitoring it could possibly be used for Purple Martins, but that's a big "if." I would repair it, paint it, love it, and display it in a garden or on a porch...but I would block the entry holes so it couldn't be used by birds. Purple Martins wouldn't stand a chance in it, and it would be come a breeding ground for the destructive and non-native European House Sparrow. These type of (often lovingly and artistically crafted) wooden houses were very popular in the mid-50s to late 60s, before the marked increase of non-native English House Sparrows and European Starlings and the consequential decimation of the native Purple Martins and Bluebirds. For Purple Martin housing to be safe and productive, for it to allow the largest numbers of eggs to be laid and the largest percentage of the chicks to fledge, it must offer... ...Large cavities. The standard now, to provide plenty of room and safety from the reach of hawks' and owls' claws, the compartments need to be 7x7x12 inches in houses, or gourds of 10-11 inches in diameter. Owl resistant tunnels, and starling resistant (SREH) shaped openings ensure even more safety. This house could be modified so every two compartments became one. A SREH tunnel could be added and access port set into the second room. Of course, this would change the artistic lines, but it could then possibly produce healthy and Purple Martins. ...The compartments must be well ventilated, but easily drained and protected for rain. ...You must be able to access the nests for monitoring. The houses should have doors that open; my gourds have 4" wide access caps in the back. By performing nest checks, you ensure the safety and health of the chicks. It's all a numbers game if they are not going to become extinct. Get the most number of eggs, and ensure as many chicks as possible live to fledge (fly off for their first migration). Purple Martins are big birds; in a large compartment or gourd they can lay up to eight eggs. These chicks will be as big as the parents in three weeks. They need a lot of room to be healthy. ...The housing must be able to be raised and lowered for the nest checks. My gourd rack uses a pulley system with ropes to glide the hub, holding the eight gourds, up and down the pole vertically. You cannot "tilt" a pole without breaking the eggs. Another of the many joys of Purple Martins is that they've "imprinted" on humans; they want to nest near them. From the time before Columbus, native Americans along the east coast were encouraging them to nest near their communities; they knew the benefits the PMs provide by eating so many flying insects. PMs do not mind their nests being "checked." I check my nests every single day; I handle the chicks; I change out wet, dirty, or mite-infested nesting material. As a reward for this work, I have a 100% fledge rate over the past three years. Nest checks and proper housing provides wonderful results. ...If you allow English House Sparrows or European Starlings near the Purple Martin or Bluebird housing, your PMs and BBs will suffer. Their eggs will be broken; the chicks, and often even the adults, will be killed. EHS and EuSt control is key to the success of our native songbirds. Sad, but true. I'm still hoping and praying to attract a new colony here at our new/old house. My gourds are up and waiting, with pre-made nests of aspen shavings, and decoys alluringly arranged on the perches! Again, I hope they lady gets years of decorative pleasure from her lovly folk-art house. I would repair it, paint it, love it, and display it in a garden or on a porch...but I would block the entry holes so it couldn't be used by birds. Use the house for lovely and safe decor, and set up a small gourd rack with 4-8 gourds and you could fledge 24-48 chicks in one season. It's the best of both worlds. Happy Martineering! Here is a link that might be useful: A wealth of free Purplel Martin info and help here

Good luck. We had more local fireworks this year too, and with all the fires here, you'd think people would be smarter than that.