Purple Martins have arrived

[Birdzilla]

If you are a Purple Martin landlord it is time to open your martin houses.

Reports of martin scouts arriving in Texas started in late January and they are now being reported in the North Texas area.

Scouts are usually older birds and may be either male or female birds.

If you are interested in putting up a martin house for the first time here are a couple of quick tips.

Martins need lots of room to fly. You'll need about 60 feet of clear air space around the house (60 feet to the nearest trees).

Martins like to be near homes. Try to locate in a range of 30-120 feet from human housing.

Select a house and pole design that makes it easy to raise and lower the martin house. You will need to be able to lower the house to remove house sparrow nests, if they show up.

Both gourds and apartment style houses work well.

Visit the Purple Martin Conservation Association web site to track arrivals and for detailed information on attracting Purple Martins. http://www.purplemartin.org

[Ruffnit]

Birdzilla,

I may have opened my Purple Martin houses too late this year. I haven't seen any Martins, and the sparrows have moved in and taken over. I've cleaned the houses out several times, but the sparrows keep comming back.

Should I just clean and close the houses?

Thanks!

[Birdzilla]

You might have a chance with subadults, which arrive about 8 weeks after the older birds.

Visit: http://www.purplemartin.org

Then click on the How to Attract Purple Martins PDF link. The right hand column of the PDF discusses timing and provides a range of times for possible good results.

You might also wish to try playing a purple martin dawn song, tapes and CDs available from the Purple Martin Society.

[Ruffnit]

Birdzilla, thanks for the quick reply and the link.

Hopefully I'll be a "landlord" before long. And if not this year, I'll be better prepared for next year.

Have a great week!

Karen