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