They are back for third year

by Neal Cardin
(Sonora, KY)

Our Purple Martins returned on March 27. We had a scout or two a couple of weeks ago and then nothing for several days.

Now there are at least four birds staying around the gourds we have hanging. They are poking their heads into the gourds and sitting on top of the timbers from which the gourds hang.

This is the third year for our colony. I think more are coming. They are just starting to settle into other sites where there have been colonies for several years.

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They are back for third year

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Mar 31, 2012
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Purple Martins are Back
by: Gene

That's great! Here at wild-bird-watching.com our first martin made it back on the 30th of March. We have a gourd rack with the possibility of holding 24 gourds.

Currently I have it set with 12 gourds on the top rack and 4 on the lower rack. The pole is 2 2/8 diameter and is set up with a winch.

We use a metal pole guard for keeping raccoons and other 4 footed predators from climbing the pole.

We also use bird netting around the pole to keep the snakes from climbing the pole. A lot of people don't know that snakes can and will climb just about anything and once you lose martins from predator attacks they will not return.

We do weekly nest checks as prescribed by the PMCA.

I do hope you have a way to access the nest during the season and predator guards on the pole.

I hope you have a wonderful Purple Martin season.

Gene
www.wild-bird-watching.com

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