Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Purple Martins

I read that experts now think the primary diet of the PM is dragonflies, not mosquitoes. It is my understanding a major part of the diet of the dragonfly is mosquitoes. I was planning a PM condo for next spring but now having second thoughts. I don't want to drastically reduce my dragonfly population.

I went to the PM forum link shown above and it does not directly address the topic but there are numerous photos of PM's with dragonflies in their mouths.

Has anyone noticed a signicant reduction of dragonflies at your pond after establishing a PM colony?

This brings back alot of memories. My grandfather grew his own gourds. He then cured and painted them. He had MANY PMs nesting every year. The thin walled natural gourd is much cooler than the plastic ones. He strung the gourds along a thin wire elevated between two raised wooden posts.

I always thought they ate small insects. If they prey on dragonflies, that would be a major deal killer. In fact, it would make them aves non grata.

I have a lot of swallows around my ponds. If I tried to attract purple martins would they compete to the detriment of either species?

I have a 4 inch inflow pipes to each pond and if I'm not careful a pair of swallows will nest in the open end od one of them. One year I noticed a pair of swallows started making a nest in it. Since I was going to fill that pond later after draining, I didn't want them to make a nest and have young in it to only have them washed out. So I capped it and attached another pipe above it for them to next in. When I first capped it the pair were pissed as heck and if I could understand their chatter I'm sure it would have been profanity.

I am by no means a PM expert, but have done enough reading and on-site activity monitoring to know just enough to be dangerous...kinda like pond-meistering .
Yes, indeed, dragonflies and damselflies are a part of their diet, but not exclusively. My response to Cecil's query may add more thought.
-
-
PM's spend a large portion of their feeding and food collection time high in the sky. They also travel far. During the period that they are raising their young, about 1 month, a little more time will be devoted working the closer/lower peripheral areas nearer the nesting site. This occurs, tho, only on the way out and back to the nest as part of the standard feeding M.O. noted above. The male and female will typically take turns feeding, trying to always leave a guard at the nest. Each one will usually take 5 - 15 minute shifts. As indicated, they still go very far even during the "family way".
Barn Swallows, conversely, stick close to the ground, methodically working the fields and meadows.

Schroeder,
we agree...our PM house has sat without occupants for the past couple of years...dont know why the house is empty but I count on the 1000's of dragon flies we have to keep our mosquito population at a minimum.

Some interesting facts on the "mosquito hawk" some are capable of speeds of up to 55 miles per hour.
A dragonfly has a lifespan of twenty-four hours.
A dragonfly's penis is shovel-shaped at the end, to scoop a rival male's sperm out of the female it's impregnating. Thats wacky but since they only live 24 hours I guess they have to move fast and can't be picky.
I saw a nature show the other day that had a slow mo of a dragon fly nymph (they are underwater) inhaling a small fish.
I have read its impossible to catch a dragon fly...the big eyes and fast speeds.

Maybe as a rule but I've seen the quite high while I was swimming the other day. I think I have a mix of barn swallows and ground swallows.

The nymphs are little killers. They will eat anything small enough to control with their grabber.

Dragonflies are very easy to catch. Just move your hand real slow, and you have about 50% success. On a windy day, you can point your finger upward and hold real still, they will land on it.

** Let's start 2007 with another great year for Purple Martins **
Well, it's Friday and my mind is well into gear with a couple dozen different development projects at the pondsite. How best to dodge the weather, what to work on first, get Sunil and Burger off my back by gettin' the fish stuff stocked...you know, settin' project priorities.
-
-
When we finished last year's Purple Martin cycle, as we do every year, we take down the gourd rack and the telescopic pole and put it all into winter storage. All that remains in the middle of our backyard is the 4' tall base pipe that is cemented into the ground. I slip a short pc of PVC pipe with a PVC cap over this base pipe to keep rain and snow out and fuggedaboutit. So, as noted above, I'm goin' thru my A.M. routine, my mind blazing about the work day ahead and the pond projects that lie just beyond. As I walk past the kitchen window, something slightly different in the backyard catches the corner of my vision. There's an adult PM standing directly on top of that PVC pipe cap, preening a little and doin' one of those "hey, what the heck...where's the summer home?" It is, no doubt, a scout. And strangely, I just checked the PM Scout report last night for the first time this year, figgerin' that I better try to put up the rack and gourds this weekend.
-
-
Now, to many of you, this might evoke very little reaction, let alone interest. That's OK; it's likely a little more spiritual for D-ski and me. You see, where we live PM's are somewhat difficult to attract, let alone successfully propagate. We have been working on this now, I believe this is our 9th year. Last year was the first year that we actually witnessed the young'uns make it out and successfully fledge. It didn't match the incubation period per historical averages (missed by about 5 days), but I attribute that to a combo of bad records on our part and the possibility of an early fledge. We watched the adults feed the fledglings outside the nest on the power line next to the house. We never got this far before...to us, this took 8 years to achieve. 3 teeny PM's...it's just a cool feeling to think that we had even a little bit to do with it. Then, after a long winter absence, for the first time in 9 years it seems that they now wait on us...not us on them.
-
Needless to say, when I got home from work...up goes the gourds. Here's to hopin' for another successful PM season.

Brettski - don't know where in Illinois you are but "our" martins showed up a couple of days ago too (St. Clair County). We have two martin pole-top communities: one gourd system and one traditional compartment house. We've had PMs return for the last 10+ years. They seem to prefer the gourds, don't you think? I am a big PM fan (along with all other birds) and could watch/listen to them all day! Do you think we could attract them to our new 1.5 acre pond in the woods? Seems like they would have plenty of swooping area over the pond, but of course it is a different type of environment than what you typically see them in.

nice bird post b'ski and i commend yer efforts.

you didnt take that pic did you? if so, i'd say you missed yer calling in life.

Claybird,
Thanks for sharing your story as a PM landlord. It tells me a lot about your dedication to a wonderful practice. I'm glad your on board here. We live in the 'burbs of Chicago, hence the challenges of getting a colony started. For us, having just one mating pair is a big deal and gratifying progress. I am jealous, yet pleased with your level of success. Can you post any pics of your setup, maybe with resident activity? Throw in a couple new pond pics, too...we always love to see that. As far as getting a colony established at the pond, you already know the issues PM's have with any crowding by trees. Do you have an open area adjacent to the pondsite? As far as the gourds vs tin PM house, I agree with your findings. We traded in the metal house for the gourds after 2 years and the PM interest increased.
-
-
D.I.E.D. opens the door for too much credit
...nah, like most all my wildlife pics, it was filched. I can't say enough about the quality and selection of bird photos in the Gallery on the Bird Forum . You gotta sign up and log in, but for any type of bird stuff, it's got it all.

That sounds almost as exciting as the Vietnamese Chicken forum Bruce was raving about in Arlington last weekend!

Brettski - We don't have any Purple Martin houses, though we have 3 or 4 pairs living here every year. Perhaps they nest in the old shed with the Barn Swallows.

The Purple Martins are never very close to the ground or the pond surface. The Barn Swallows fly a few inches above the surface of the pond relentlessly darting, diving and chowing down flying insects.

We have an old power/telephone line that runs between our house and the work (OK, hobby) shop that we want to remove. We haven’t, because the PMs and BSs congregate on it. I have a photo somewhere in the archives with several PMs and 30 or so BSs all lined up on there like they are waiting-planning-hoping for something to happen. ‘The Birds’

We have learned to live with a line of birdshiet on the driveway in return for no mosquitoes.

Our bird knowledge is empirical in nature. I suppose we are spoiled from living this close to nature since 1980(the end of the global cooling disaster era). :rolleyes:

You should take your own wildlife photos as it is just one more adventure to enjoy.

Wing-less Mosquito Eater

I just saw an article in the des moines newspaper about purple martins. Most interesting part was coaxing them to eat scrambled eggs.

Purple monkey can fly

We have learned to live with a line of birdlime on the driveway in return for no mosquitoes.

And to think, DIED was moderated for using the past tense, shat! Misspellings are OK?
All in fun, y'all.

burgermeister – You know me better than that! It’s not a misspelling.

Bremer Pond, I know, I know. Look how Theo molested my post. :p

Molesting a post, that is pretty low, Theo! :p

Brettski - we usually have 10-12 nesting pairs. By July the young are fully fledged and the chatter is constant. I'd love to break their code of clicks! We also have several pairs of Barn Swallows in our old barn/garage. One pair usually tries to nest in the corner of the front stoop to our house. I have to keep knocking the nest down because they attack you when you try to come in the front door!
Here is the most recent pic of the pond (in another county) that I have. Will try to get new pics tomorrow. Dogwoods are in full bloom at the pond. I hope I uploaded the pic correctly and it is not too big.

Hey, where is a good source for gourds? I built some great bluebird houses. After never seeing any on my place, they came and nested. I was happy. Then the tree rats got them. I know bluebirds are cavity nesters but I'd like to try hanging gourds to keep the squirrels out.

start shopping here: The PM forum shop
These are pretty big gourds, and are developed for PM's....not sure what to expect with BB's. If you use the oval entry hole, you will preclude starlings. They work well. You will NOT be able to preclude sparrows....Annie, git yer gun.

Heybud,

My place is just west of Evant,which is about 40 + miles SSW of you, and saw a green jay recently for the first time. Maybe the warmer weather is extending their range.

I have not seen any martins for at least a week now. I am afraid this unseasonably cold and wet weather (plus freezing temps at night) is taking its toll. We may get some snow tomorrow night. There probably aren't enough insects to keep the martins from starving/losing body heat. Brettski, how are yours faring?

Heard a lot of splashing and commotion in the pond late last evening...careful looking revealed several PM's have returned for their luxury vacation on Meadowlark Ranch. Love those Martins!!