Password
Remember me?
Lost Password?
Home Page > Home Improvement > Gardening > Attracting and Caring for Purple Martins Attracting and Caring for Purple Martins Edit Article | Posted: Feb 20, 2008 |Comments: 0 | Views: 327 | ]]> ]]>
The interaction between man and martin dates all the way back to the Native Americans. To this day, the bubbly personality and gurgling song of the Purple Martin is cherished by those that host them. Each spring brings on an excitement that only a Purple Martin landlord can experience as they anxiously anticipate the return of their beloved martins.
Acquiring martins can be very easy or very exasperating. Following are a few ideas on what it takes to attract, keep, protect and properly care for a colony of Purple Martins.
If you are establishing a new colony, wait for the arrival of the sub-adults who tend to arrive 3-6 weeks after the mature adult martins return to established breeding sites. Wait to open your housing to prevent problems with sparrows, starling and other birds. If birds other than Purple Martins try to nest in your house, lower the house and remove the nest โ�� temporarily plugging the entry holes if necessary to keep them from returning.
Location of your house is very important because the martins are looking for safety and security. Raise the house the full extent of your pole (typically 10-15 feet) and keep the house at least 40 feet away from trees. Predators such as hawks find cover in trees taller than the housing that is in close proximity. Martins are aware of this and therefore, stay away from such situations. A location between 40-120 feet from your own home works well as does the center of an open spot or the edge of a pond or lake. They need very open and unobstructed flight paths. Martins actually want to be near you!
Use decoys โ�� Martins are social and decoys create the appearance of site activity. Adult martins use โ��dawnsingingโ�� to attract young martins to their colony site so the playing of the Dawn Song CD one or two hours before dawn is recommended but can be played any time of the day. If at first you donโ��t see martins, do not despair. Migration lasts through the end of June. Be diligent, and keep your house well maintained. Also, keep your house up through August. While this is too late to attract nesting pairs, this yearโ��s fledglings will already be scouting for next season.
In the eastern U.S. and Canada they have become totally dependent on humans to supply them housing for nesting. Studies have shown a decline of martins in some areas so this is one more reason we need to help this beautiful native bird species by supplying them โ��properโ�� housing in which to raise their young. These birds are also protected and therefore, may not be harmed in any way. Unfortunately, many of the commercial houses are inadequate for martins. In many cases the house compartments are much too small and the materials used are much to flimsy. All housing should have a few minimum standard requirements. Briefly, here are a few starters.
All housing should be easily accessible for maintenance and nest checks. It should be easy to raise and lower vertically. Nesting compartments should be a minimum of 6โ��W x 6โ��H x10โ��D. Anything less is too small for martins to properly raise a brood of young and keep well out of the reach of talons of flying predators.
Housing should be painted white to reflect sun rays, keeping the house cooler. Dark colored housing is a full 10-15 degrees hotter. The heat factor is often the cause of young jumping from the nest early, seeking relief from the heat.
Do nest checks. It is very important to know whatโ��s going on in your colony, and they are actually fun to do. Easy access into the compartments via hinged or removable panels is imperative. The landlord needs to have easy access to clean out old nests, remove unwanted pest bird nests, and do general maintenance.
An absolute must is good ventilation. A couple of ยฝ inch holes placed high in the front and rear walls of the compartments allows for air flow and the young birds will need this especially in the southern regions.
Because of the introduction of European Starlings into this country, all housing should contain starling resistant entrance holes (SREH). The new 1 3/16โ�� high crescents openings have proven to effectively keep 99% of all starlings out of martin housing while at the same time, allowing martins easy access.
Check for insect pest infestation. Mites and blowflies are sometimes a major problem around martin sites. Learn how to identify them and what to do about them. A large infestation will easily kill young martin chicks. One solution for mites is ยฝ teaspoon of 5%Sevin dust sprinkled on only the nesting material. Changing out the affected nests once or twice during the season is about the best method for controlling blowfly larva. Never use spray insecticides in any kind of wild bird nests.
Martins seen to enjoy a pre-made bed of nesting material and readily accept these compartments over others that are empty. They like an ample amount of pine or wheat straw added to the nest, bringing the material right up to the bottom of the entrance hole. They have very short legs and this greatly helps in the exiting of the compartment or gourd. Sawdust or shavings of any kind are not a good base for a nest because they are not stable under foot and will soak up water, leaving the nest wet.
Purple Martins exclusively eat flying insects, taking them on the wing. Among the list of many are houseflies, moths, grasshoppers and their favorite, dragonflies. However, they will forage for food when the temperature climbs above 45 deg. They will also eat crushed egg shells and oyster shells providing them with calcium for stronger egg shells and they feed them to their young as grit to help digest their food. These can be supplied on a small raised platform set on top of a 4 or 5 foot high post.
Martins will not eat from a bird feeder nor will they drink from a birdbath. A source of good clean fresh water is a major advantage in attracting them to your home. However, if not available, they have been known to fly up to 1 or 2 miles for water.
All poles should be fitted with the proper predator guards. A simple tube guard, ten inches or more in diameter and 3 feet long mounted to the pole will stop most ground predation attempts. Occasionally accipiter hawks will discover your colony, but since they are protected, there really isnโ��t anything that can legally be done about them other than to be present around the colony as much as possible. This is why open flight paths are necessary around martin housing, making it more difficult for these raptors to launch their attacks.
Purple Martins are very friendly towards humans. If enough time is spent around their site, they soon begin to accept the landlord as part of the site and will soon ignore them entirely. In fact, it is well documented that the more human activity there is near a martin site, the more martins will show up. They actually seek out sites where there is abundant human activity.
Hosting a colony of Purple Martins can indeed be a joyful and rewarding hobby!
(ArticlesBase SC #338127)
Liked this article? Click here to publish it on your website or blog, it's free and easy! Jerry Mason - About the Author:Birding enthusiast for many years. Website author of:http/www.birdsdunrite.com trying to promote awareness of birds in nature.
]]> Questions and Answers Ask our experts your Gardening related questions here... Ask 200ย Characters left I been dating a 54 yr old div man for 2 mths i am 50 both our spouses were unfaithful i thought we were ok he rtells me hes attracted and cares but has no emotional connection help! Rate this Article 1 2 3 4 5 vote(s) 1 vote(s) Feedback RSS Print Email Re-Publish Source: ย http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/attracting-and-caring-for-purple-martins-338127.html Article Tags: birds, purple martins, martins nestlings, purple martin colony, backyard, martin pole Related Videos Related Articles Latest Gardening Articles More from Jerry Mason How To Select a BirdhouseDave consults with Susan Maranhao to find out which types of birdhouses attract which types of birds. (03:06)
Martin Luther digital watercolor paintingLearning by seeing. http://www.martin-missfeldt.de Martin Luther digital painting with transparent brushes like watercolor effect. Speed painting of german reformer Martin Luther (1483 - 1546). Reference picture painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder. (04:16)
Visit St Martin's Garden in MonacoJoin Shepherd Entertainment on a visit to the beautiful St Martin's garden in Monaco. (02:58)
Biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.In this video, learn about the life of the civil rights activist, Martin Luther King Jr. (04:12)
Aston Martin Builds a Budge DBSAston Martin builds a budge DBS, Mazda shows off a revised hot hatch and thereโ��s a new BMW suv on the loose in snowy climbs. (05:48)
Martins are Coming!Purple Martins spend the non-breeding season in Brazil, then migrate to North America to nest. East of the Rockies they are totally dependent on human-supplied housing. West of the Rockies and in the deserts they largely nest in their ancestral ways, in abandoned woodpecker nest cavities. In the Pacific Northwest, Martins are beginning to use gourds and clusters of single-unit boxes for nesting
By: Jerry Masonl Home Improvement> Gardeningl Jan 30, 2008 Know What You're Buying When Choosing a Lawn Care ServiceThe ever-increasing demands on our personal time are largely responsible for the rapid expansion of the lawn care industry over the past 10 years. For a very reasonable fee, lawn care companies are able to provide homeowners with a complete custom-designed lawn care program.
By: turfkingofgreenl Home Improvement> Gardeningl Jan 28, 2011 Pruning Orchids โ�� A Simple GuidePruning orchids can greatly increase their growth and keep them healthy. Unfortunately, mistakes in this area can cost you your plant. View this simple guide for advice on pruning orchids.
By: Sarah Mattersl Home Improvement> Gardeningl Jan 28, 2011 Unleash Your Creativity through Bonsai PlantsA bonsai artist allows his imagination to work while expressing a personal aesthetic philosophy of manipulating it. It can be a way of showing your talent through altering its natural form without showing an obvious intervention of human hands.
By: Paul Andonaquel Home Improvement> Gardeningl Jan 28, 2011 How to get your trees evaluated before buying a home in Houston by alphacorps tee careTree evaluations helps prevent loss of money and reduces the cost when buying a home.
By: Master hughesl Home Improvement> Gardeningl Jan 28, 2011 Lawn Ornaments You Must Have & WhyWhen I was younger and heard the term lawn ornaments I would think of pink flamingos and huge statues in the middle of a flower bed or garden. Although these are still popular lawn dรฉcor across America's lawns, lawn ornaments have actually come a long way and consist of a variety of items today. I will discuss three particular kinds of lawn ornaments, bird feeders, wind spinners, and garden statues, and the purpose each has in your lawn.
By: Angiel Home Improvement> Gardeningl Jan 28, 2011 Spa and Hot Tub Buying guideInterested in creating a home spa? Many people go out and buy their first hot tub without giving enough thought to where they will put it, what it will be used for, and how they will handle maintenance and drainage.
By: Joe Clinel Home Improvement> Gardeningl Jan 28, 2011 What You Should Know About Lawn MaintenanceThose who own a home likely have realized that it can take a lot of time to care for your lawn.
By: Carolyn Claytonl Home Improvement> Gardeningl Jan 28, 2011 How To Find A Professional Lawn Care ProviderIf you have a house, a family, and a job, chances are that you are somewhat time-starved, and definitely have little time to do lawn car around your home.
By: Carolyn Claytonl Home Improvement> Gardeningl Jan 28, 2011 Attracting and Caring for Purple MartinsAcquiring martins can be very easy or very exasperating. Following are a few ideas on what it takes to attract, keep, protect and properly care for a colony of Purple Martins. Read on for helpful hints.
By: Jerry Masonl Home Improvement> Gardeningl Feb 20, 2008 lViews: 327 Martins are Coming!Purple Martins spend the non-breeding season in Brazil, then migrate to North America to nest. East of the Rockies they are totally dependent on human-supplied housing. West of the Rockies and in the deserts they largely nest in their ancestral ways, in abandoned woodpecker nest cavities. In the Pacific Northwest, Martins are beginning to use gourds and clusters of single-unit boxes for nesting
By: Jerry Masonl Home Improvement> Gardeningl Jan 30, 2008 How to Help your Birds This Winter!!When it gets cold and the winter winds blow, many โ��snow bunniesโ�� move south to live in warmer weather. Many birds migrate south also, taking advantage of milder temperatures and southern cuisine with a greater variety of insects and seeds. However, you have many year-round residents who are joined by other birds that migrate only as far as your backyard so it is important to create a living area that is enticing to them.
By: Jerry Masonl Home Improvement> Gardeningl Jan 15, 2008 What Bird Marks the Return of Spring โ�� our Delightful Red Breasted American Robin of Course !!Often referred to as the Red Robin, this sociable beauty has become a part of most gardens in North America. What a wonderful way to start the day listening to the song of the robin at daybreak.
By: Jerry Masonl Home Improvement> Gardeningl Jan 15, 2008 lViews: 309 Add new Comment Your Name: * Your Email: Comment Body: * ย Verification code:* * Required fields SubmitYour Articles Here
It's Free and easy
Copyright ยฉ 2005-2011 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved.
Birding enthusiast for many years. Website author of:http/www.birdsdunrite.com trying to promote awareness of birds in nature.
Sources:
Attracting and Caring for Purple MartinsAttracting and Caring for Purple Martins
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น