Advice on attracting Purple Martins?

[Yamaha2112]

Used to have them every year.
Past couple of years they've been a no-show.
Not sure what happened.

 

[Looking4new]

The Starlings probably got into their nests first.

 

[texasjohn]

A friend who loves them and had them for numerous years has experienced empty martin houses for several years now. The only thing that he can think of is that surrounding trees grew larger thus changing/shutting down their flyway/runway approach to the house.

 

[chuck172]

I get tree swallows instead.

 

[Looking4new]

A friend who loves them and had them for numerous years has experienced empty martin houses for several years now. The only thing that he can think of is that surrounding trees grew larger thus changing/shutting down their flyway/runway approach to the house.

Your friend needs to either move the house to a more open area or put it higher or both.

 

[dave1949]

I had a martin house up for three years and nothing ever nested in it. It was in a clear area, not far from the pond, no luck.

But then, someone pointed out that purple martins eat lots of dragonflies. I'd rather have the dragonflies for mosquito control. We have a good population of dragonflies and are not bothered by mosquitoes.

 

[murph1]

I get barn swallows, should be due any day now. The problem with them is they crap all over your stuff.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I get barn swallows, should be due any day now. The problem with them is they crap all over your stuff.

They must be Democrats...

 

[Johnny g]

They must be Democrats...

This is what keeps me reading threads every day:thumbsup:

 

[Yamaha2112]

I get barn swallows, should be due any day now. The problem with them is they crap all over your stuff.

We did get a couple of barn swallows at least last year. Good birds too.