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Name:	alahusker -	Reply
Subject:	Purple Martins
Date:	2/6/2009 8:58:59 AM

Houses are up and the watch for scouts begins..

Name:	Edge -	Reply
Subject:	Purple Martins
Date:	2/6/2009 11:53:42 AM

What is the best way to attract them?

Name:	boataholic -	Reply
Subject:	Purple Martins
Date:	2/6/2009 12:04:40 PM

The nooks and crannies under my pontoon boat, above the tubes, has always worked better than the martin house I once had. They don't even seem to mind the occasional rides. Last year they preferred the neighbor's boat.

Name:	Jim Dandy -	Reply
Subject:	Purple Martins
Date:	2/6/2009 2:34:36 PM

Same here. Would take'em for a ride every weekend and they didn't mind at all.

Name:	George -	Reply
Subject:	Purple Martins
Date:	2/6/2009 4:31:05 PM

I don't think those are Martins that are nesting under your pontoon boat. I'm not John Audabon, but I've been told thay are another species more related to Chimney Sweeps, but if they eat mosquitos, I like them. Maybe some of the really smart posters can educate us.

Name:	Freshwater Bay Girl -	Reply
Subject:	Purple Martins
Date:	2/6/2009 4:50:48 PM

I think that those are called Barn Swallows. They like to next very close to the water and usually up under the edges of docks or bridges etc.. They are small in size and swoop around in the air around the dock edge. Great for eating bugs! They also mate for life and usually come back to the same place year after year if possible from what I understand.
I saw two red tail hawks mating this week and did a little reading on them. They do the same thing. Mate for life. It IS February. The month of Love!

Name:	alahusker -	Reply
Subject:	Purple Martins
Date:	2/6/2009 8:10:27 PM

Bay girl has it right.. those guys under your boat are swallows..
likely barn swallows.. Got them under my boat also.. Cool, but different birds..

Purple Martins are the largest of the swallow family.. winter in South America and return in late spring.. "Scouts" arrive in early spring, checking stuff out I guess..

Martins eat tons of bugs, are people friendly, lots of fun to be around, and love to talk to you if you can kinda of whistle.. They also as aerobatic as the "thunderbirds".. (I say this as a retired USAF pilot.)

Gotta put up a house, actually, buy one is the best option but it is still a chore.. Assemble it an put in the extendable pole in an open space .. If you are on the lake, facing the water, away from trees and obstructions..

Sound like a lotta work?? Takes a day and a few bucks..

But if y'all can see the birds arrive and build a new colony from your living room, it makes one look forward to spring.. And the same guys and their babies will return next year..

For the orthonologists here, please correct anything on this post.. not thin skinned.. (Not sure how to spell orthonoligst but sure this ain't right.)

Regards,

Terry Burke

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