| As Adult Purple Martins begin their | | | | sub-adult birds. Tracking arrival times, |
| migration and start arriving in the | | | | can easily be done by visiting This |
| southern most parts of the eastern U.S. | | | | site does a great job at providing all |
| by mid January. Our thoughts turn to | | | | the information needed to become a |
| becoming Martin landlords. | | | | Martin landlord. |
| This migration will continue northward | | | | Types Of Housing |
| with colonies nesting primarily east of | | | | There are many types of Martin Houses |
| the Rockies through early may. | | | | available. The most common types are |
| Sub-adults, those in their first | | | | made from wood, aluminum, and plastic. |
| breeding year, arrive 3 to 6 weeks after | | | | Heat absorption is a primary |
| the adults. | | | | consideration when selecting houses for |
| If you've ever consider attracting | | | | Martins. Dark paint colors hold more |
| Purple Martins to nest near you, now is | | | | heat and should not be used. Ease of |
| the time to learn what you need to know | | | | lowering the house to perform monitoring |
| to be a successful Purple Martin | | | | checks should also be considered. |
| landlord. | | | | Personally I prefer the telescoping |
| Unlike most backyard birds, It's not as | | | | poles. These are made to slide into each |
| simple as placing a Martin house up and | | | | other keeping the house level at all |
| walking away. | | | | times. Pulley systems can be more |
| The location of the house, height, | | | | costly, and any type that tilts the |
| habitat, water, and many other | | | | house can cause eggs and birds to slide |
| considerations need to be taken into | | | | out. |
| account. | | | | Gourds can also be used. These can be |
| Becoming a landlord to Purple Martins | | | | natural or commercially made. |
| shouldn't be taken lightly. If not taken | | | | When choosing to purchase a Martin |
| seriously, you could be causing more | | | | house, buy from those who are familiar |
| harm than good to the Martins you are | | | | with birds. At the very least, learn |
| trying to attract. House sparrows and | | | | from the experts first, then shop for |
| European Starlings compete for nesting | | | | the best price. Start small and build up |
| sites with Purple Martins. | | | | as you establish your colony. |
| A martin landlord must be diligent | | | | Attracting Martins comes with no |
| towards these non-native species. | | | | guarantee. Even when all conditions are |
| Removing any nesting material or eggs | | | | met, you still might not successfully |
| that these two species may bring or lay | | | | attract them the same year you start. |
| in the martin house. | | | | But do not dispair, keep your houses up |
| This may have to be done twice a day and | | | | and maintained through the fall |
| continue until the martins have | | | | migration. Sub-adult Martins may take |
| established themselves. These non-native | | | | note as they migrate southward. The |
| species are more aggressive than martins | | | | following season may surprise you. It |
| at claiming nesting sites. | | | | takes patience to attract martins. |
| When starting a new colony it's | | | | Although many have success their first |
| important to know that sub-adults are | | | | year. |
| the ones you'll be trying to attract. | | | | Get Started! |
| Exsisting colonies (those that nested in | | | | If you've considered becoming a Purple |
| previous seasons) will generally return | | | | Martin landlord, the time has come to |
| to the same houses each year. One more | | | | get started. |
| reason to attract these insect eating | | | | It's easy to put it off year after year, |
| birds to your home. | | | | we all think up excuses only to regret |
| New Martin housing should not be raised | | | | it later as the season ends... what |
| before the expected arrival of the | | | | might have been. |