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snorkelady | profile | all galleries >> Memories of Dagobah >> The Birds at Dagobah >> The Purple Martins Take Over The Condo June 2011 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

The Purple Martins Take Over The Condo June 2011

We've had the Purple Martin 'condo' for a couple of years and did not have any success in attracting Purple Martins. Our neighbour suggested that they needed to be able to fly over water, so we moved it down to the creek. It sat empty the next summer, likely due to the height of the Martin house. In 2011 we added an extension pole and in late May we watched 2 pairs of Tree Swallows enjoy the condo and start to build their nests. The Canada Geese had vacated their nests nearby so there was a plentiful source of lovely white feathers. The Purple Martins arrived on June 5 and took over the condo. There were a total of 6 Purple Martins, but only one pair nested. The others remained in the area for a few weeks. In late July / early August we watched the adults feed 3 juveniles. They remained in the area until the end of August. We took the condo down late autumn and found the 'stash' of dragonflies in the next condo. This was the only time this species nested in the condo. In subsequent years, Tree Swallows have fledged their young from the condo.

** We have since renovated the condo as the units were too small and not predator safe. We took a wall down so that the unit was 'L' shaped. This gave the birds better protection from predators. We also learned that we could attract Purple Martins by playing a recording of "Dawn Song" ... early in the day / at various times during the day.
We observed them from the viewing platform across the creek.
We observed them from the viewing platform across the creek.		 The Tree Swallows started to build nests (2 pairs).
The Tree Swallows started to build nests (2 pairs).		 On June 5th, 6 Purple Martins arrived.
On June 5th, 6 Purple Martins arrived.		 g4/29/471129/3/140736454.Zemq2fm3.jpg
Their presence was very intimidating ... as they were very noisy!
Their presence was very intimidating ... as they were very noisy!		 One of the Tree Swallows came back.
One of the Tree Swallows came back.		 The Martins made it very clear that they weren't going anywhere!
The Martins made it very clear that they weren't going anywhere!		 We wondered if the two species would tolerate each other's presence.
We wondered if the two species would tolerate each other's presence.
alas the feathers were tossed out and the Tree Swallows did not return to this house.
alas the feathers were tossed out and the Tree Swallows did not return to this house.		 It was not long before they took over the nest of the Tree Swallows and before long they were feeding their young.
It was not long before they took over the nest of the Tree Swallows and before long they were feeding their young.		 Stashing food for later.
Stashing food for later.		 As time went on, their colours became more distinct.
As time went on, their colours became more distinct.
The female was able to go inside and sit on the nest, but the male had difficulty.
The female was able to go inside and sit on the nest, but the male had difficulty.		 g4/29/471129/3/140736487.T8t6PHqT.jpg They were sure noisy, but we learned to love to hear them call.
They were sure noisy, but we learned to love to hear them call.
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