Subject: [TET31964@aol.com: Re: Purple Martin Article]
Date: Oct 7 18:33:10 1998
From: Jim P. Flynn - bf519 at scn.org


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From: TET31964 at aol.com (Todd Tannery)
To: WA-RAINIER at list.audubon.org
Subject: Re: Purple Martin Article
Date: Mon, 14 Sep


Michele, The following is my contribution to the next news letter....


Purple Martins

Well, it was a banner year for Purple Martins down at the Hylebos Mudflats
this year. As you may be aware, this is the third year we've been activly
monitoring and adding to the colony. The original sight had a total of 7 old
wooden boxes with slotted starling proof holes. In 1996 we added 12 new
boxes; four wooden style and eight made of white interior PVC piping. White
interiors are known to discourage Starlings at nest sights so, I thought I'd
give the idea a try. I wanted also to make them of something long lasting and
weather proof. A day at the hardware store led me to a new innovation. PVC
tubing. These modified 6" OD pipes cut to 1 foot lengths with end caps and a
2 " hole work wonderfully. The Martins that first year took to them without
hesitation. From the 12 new boxes that year, 5 were used. Bringing the
total martin box usage number to 10 (5 original boxes were also used). In
1997 we added more boxes of the PVC design. That Summer, of 37 we had a total
of 18 boxes being used. Starlings were still not a problem. This year the
grand total of boxes was pushed up to 48 boxes. We had 28 pair using 28
boxes. The estimated total of fledgings is between 75-100 young. What a
significant number!

What is even more exciting is that the birds, in many cases were using boxes
that were next to other nesting pairs on the same pilings. I think it is
encouraging to see that our Western race of Martins are accepting "closer"
nest proximity than once thought. With plans to erect more boxes in the years
to come, suitable areas are not in great supply. Should anyone know of an
area that has pilings or tall posts out of the water on the sound or river or
lake, please let me know. I would be eager to investigate the options.

Todd Tannery