Hi All,

In 2012, we attempted to make a complete count of the Purple Martin nesting population in Vermont. Although we certainly may have missed some colony sites, we had a great group of volunteers that counted all the known nesting sites in Vermont.

All the data were entered into eBird. So, if you "explore data" in Vermont for Purple Martin in 2012, you should get a relatively complete look at all the colony sites in VT. The final estimate for the VT nesting population was 426 nesting pairs.

Although being close to large water bodies is helpful, some colonies that are further inland do pop up from time to time - Dick's experience certainly speaks to the benefit of patience!

In New Hampshire, there has been a concerted effort to put up gourds along the coast. The nesting population has increased steadily over the last few years. If I remember correctly, some of the colonizers were banded from as far away as CT. So, it isn't just the Plum Island colonies that are providing new colonizers.

Allan


-----Original Message-----
From: Vermont Birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Richard Harlow
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2017 9:28 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Attracting Purple Martins

Hi Bridget,
I set up a pole with 12 Purple Martin Gourds in 2013. Each year the pole and gourds were visited by a pair up to three individual Purple Martins.
Being new I didn't expect much, but last year a pair with an immature male hanging on decided to stay, nest and lay eggs.
However, the immature male tried to court the adult female when the adult male was not around and was unsuccessfully. Unfortunately the immature male destroyed the eggs and the adult pair abandoned the gourd.
I am hopeful that this year will be different.

If the pole and gourds/houses are set near water/large field with at least 60 feet from any tree/house and plenty of room for the Martins to hunt you should be fine. BUT the name of the yearly game here is patience!

Dick Harlow
Middlebury, VT



On 3/31/17 18:35, Bridget Butler wrote:
> Greetings All!
>
> I have a client in Franklin County who's interested in attracting 
> Purple Martins to his property. He's got the houses, a decoy and audio 
> recordings to attract them and we've been researching further 
> information online. The Purple Martin Conservation Association has been particularly helpful.
>
> I'm wondering if anyone in Vermont has had the good fortune of 
> attracting them and if they might have any tips. There's a colony in 
> Isle La Motte so we're hopeful he could attract them as well since his 
> property is on Lake Champlain.
>
> Thoughts anyone???
>
> Many thanks,
> Bridget
>
> *Bridget Butler*
>
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