There are two factors to consider in determining the answer to this question. Depending on the terrain, nearby trees or shrubs, etc., it can be necessary to raise the houses even higher for adequate clearance.ĭeciding when to put up (or open up) your martin house is an important factor in attracting martins. The martin houses should typically be placed about 15 feet high. Do not locate near trees or wires that are within jumping range of squirrels or other predators.ģ. Trees, buildings or wires located to close too the house will make access difficult. Have a 40 foot area of clear “fly space.” Provide easy access to the house from several directions. Houses placed too far away from human activity are less successful than those placed closer to a home or residence.Ģ. Human activity tends to provide protection for predators. Locate the martin house within 100 feet or so of your house. The location of your purple martin house is critical to your success in attracting martins. Poles that lower the house to the side prevent the house from being inspected during the nesting season. The best types have pulley systems that raise and lower the house vertically while the pole remains fixed. Some wooden houses are very attractive but also very heavy and can be difficult to raise and lower. White will reflect the sunlight and heat.īe sure your Purple Martin house can be easily lowered and raised. Therefore, only white or other bright reflective colors should be used. The inside of a nesting box can become extremely hot in the summer. They may also provide some protection from Great-horned Owl attacks. Compartments 6 inches wide and up to 12 inches deep provide more room and encourage larger clutch sizes. Larger and deeper compartments are probably desirable. When purchasing a wooden or aluminum martin house be sure the nesting box itself is at least 6″x 6″ in size and that each nest area can be easily accessed.
#PURPLE MARTIN ARRIVAL MAP UPDATE#
The Purple Martin Conservation Association reported in the Purple Martin Update that some data suggests that natural gourds have a higher nesting success rate than the aluminum houses, with wooden houses falling somewhere in the middle. Some people believe that the gourds attract fewer House Sparrows and starlings which are less adept at entering the gourds as they sway in the wind. You can increase the number of individual apartments as the size of the colony grows.īoth the gourd and the apartment are about equally successful in attracting purple martins and in maintaining the colony. The same martins will be returning to your house year after year. House sparrows and starlings are aggressive interlopers and a large house can be more difficult to manage until the martin colony has become established. If you are just starting out it may be advisable to avoid the larger houses (keep the 8-10 minimum in mind). One, two and multiple story versions are available. The houses may be plastic, metal or wooden. There are many styles of the purple martin apartment house. Poles and mounting arms are available for producing different and attractive patterns. Darker colors can create excessively high temperatures inside the nest. Plastic gourds should be white, not painted purple.
Some plastic gourds can be snapped apart for easy cleaning. The crescent shape will discourage starlings from using the gourd. Some plastic gourds have an insert for the hole to create a crescent-shaped opening. Both natural gourds (left) and plastic gourds are suitable for martins.
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