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Purple Martins
Posted on 1/7/20 at 1:36 pm
Posted on 1/7/20 at 1:36 pm
For those who love purple martins, they will be here soon. I installed a PM-24 castle at my new home last week and look forward to their annual migration to Louisiana. Someone posted a wonderful video of last years family of birds. Thought I would share it with you.
2019 Purple Martin Nest
2019 Purple Martin Nest
9
Posted on 1/7/20 at 9:15 pm to Vacherie
Did the one with the bug stuck in its mouth die or did the person save it?
Posted on 1/7/20 at 9:44 pm to Vacherie
I want to like purple martins but they remind me of chimney swifts and I had the hardest time getting rid of those in my chimney. They would chirp and scream every time someone opened the back door. Drove me nuts.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 8:22 am to LSUJML
quote:
Did the one with the bug stuck in its mouth die or did the person save it?
According to the comments, it was saved.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 8:29 am to Vacherie
Pretty neat video! 
Posted on 1/8/20 at 9:42 am to Vacherie
I need to do some tree trimming to get a better lane to my house. That and more house sparrow assassinations.
Is Feb 1 a good day to raise the house in CENLA?
Is Feb 1 a good day to raise the house in CENLA?
Posted on 1/8/20 at 9:52 am to Vacherie
My grandmother passed her houses and gourds down to me after she died, and I've tried every year for the past four to get some PMs to set up shop. I've never had any luck. I think my yard is just a bad spot. I'm kind of located in a bowl. I thought I might have enough space for them, but maybe not. I did get a couple families of tree swallows to use some gourds last year, and they were fun. That's something, I guess.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 10:03 am to BottomlandBrew
It all about setting up at the right time when the scouts are out and maintaining the houses. basically you become a martin landlord lol.
Posted on 1/9/20 at 6:47 am to LSUJML
He was saved.
Posted on 1/9/20 at 6:49 am to AlxTgr
Feb 1 is a good time. The will be in full swing at that time.
Posted on 1/9/20 at 2:37 pm to Vacherie
I read this as purple martinis. Guess I'm an alcoholic.
Posted on 1/9/20 at 3:35 pm to Vacherie
My Gramma hated them with a passion. They shite all over her porch every year.
Posted on 1/9/20 at 7:09 pm to Vacherie
Pretty cool animation of their migration based on sighting data:
Purple Martin Migration
They start arriving in south Florida in early January.
Around the first of February they hit coastal Lousiana and Texas.
The color goes from red to purple as they breed and the population increases.
By late July they are done breeding and start getting back to the Yucatan in big numbers.
In September they are in the Amazon basin.
I finally had some luck last year with a Martin house. I waded out into shallow water between two lakes and put the house there. At least 2-3 nested. I need to wade out and clean it. The year before I took down a huge pine to make a decent clearing but they didn't go for that spot. From what I've read they like to be near humans and water but won't nest near trees (hawks will ambush their nest site from trees).
Purple Martin Migration
They start arriving in south Florida in early January.
Around the first of February they hit coastal Lousiana and Texas.
The color goes from red to purple as they breed and the population increases.
By late July they are done breeding and start getting back to the Yucatan in big numbers.
In September they are in the Amazon basin.
I finally had some luck last year with a Martin house. I waded out into shallow water between two lakes and put the house there. At least 2-3 nested. I need to wade out and clean it. The year before I took down a huge pine to make a decent clearing but they didn't go for that spot. From what I've read they like to be near humans and water but won't nest near trees (hawks will ambush their nest site from trees).
Posted on 1/10/20 at 9:48 am to BlackAdam
quote:Wrong bird.
My Gramma hated them with a passion. They shite all over her porch every year.
Posted on 1/11/20 at 11:28 am to Tigris
quote:
From what I've read they like to be near humans and water but won't nest near trees (hawks will ambush their nest site from trees).
Down in Louisiana and rest of the Gulf coast, they will nest in areas that are not ideal. I've had them for almost 20 years and have several oak trees near by the Martin houses. As for water, closest water is some lakes about 150 yards away.
Once you get Martins to stay, they and their offspring will normally come back to the area/house. Playing the Martin Dawnsong recording will get them to inspect your house. This recording can be found for free on-line or on Amazon.
Once you get them, need to be diligent on deterring sparrows and Starlings, and placing barriers to keep snakes out.
Posted on 1/21/20 at 9:48 am to haricot rouge
Any sightings yet?
Posted on 1/21/20 at 1:35 pm to AlxTgr
quote:
Any sightings yet?
7 sightings so far in Louisiana. 26 sightings in Florida. They are definitely on the move South.
Posted on 2/6/20 at 2:16 pm to Vacherie
Just saw pics from the BR area. None in my neighborhood yet.
Posted on 2/6/20 at 3:13 pm to AlxTgr
they may be late with our goofy weather this year, at least it seems that way to me for the gold finch. Just starting to get greater numbers, usually by xmas I am going through 6 pounds of seed a day.
Posted on 2/25/20 at 10:04 am to highpockets
Closed on my old house a week and a half ago. Martins had just gotten there. Still none in my new neighborhood just a few miles away.
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