Becoming a Martin Landlord

Today, I took my first venture into becoming a Purple Martin landlord. Though it is likely too late in the season to establish a colony, I may still be able to attract birds to check the place out for next season. I had not previously considered doing this, thinking that our location was too closed in to attract martins. However, I found that a neighbor a couple of streets over, on a much more confined property, has a active colony of about two dozen birds.

I acquired this kit on-line from the Purple Martin Conservation Association. It feels very solidly built and the gourds have Starling resistant entrance holes. The whole gourd rack lowers using a pulley system in order to do nest checks. I also installed optional owl guards on the top row and a predator baffle on the pole, as I have done on the bluebird houses. The concrete pier is 36" x 12" extending partly above ground. We will make a raised rock landscape feature around the base.

I don't know where to get "pine straw" around here so I filled the gourds with "normal" straw. Since taking the pictures, I have also numbered all of the gourds for record keeping.

On day two of dawn song playing, I found two Starlings sitting on the upper perch rods ... sigh, another species to control.

The story continues on another post with the arrival of my first pair.