Purple Martins and Whirligiggs

We are so very fortunate again today, the sun is shinning!! It was 25 degrees last night, but the sunshine makes up for the cold, and at least the wind is not blowing 30 MPH again, I often wonder how the Purple Martins take this cold. They are swaying with the wind, the gourds act as a swing with them in it. I can only imagine how wonderful that must be. We still have the housed in our houses and more will be coming as time goes on. Just have to keep trying to run the Starlings off, so they don't bother the Martins too much.

There is a wonderful Whirligig project that my husband and I created several years ago.
I did quite a few of them, but there is a lot of sculpting of the pieces, and the base, so I don't
do a lot of them anymore. I just love them though. Am entering an image of the Canadian Goose that we did if anyone is interested in making one.
For now,
The Gourd Lady of Rocky Mount, Louisiana, that is......

Ten Reasons Why People Fail to Attract Purple Martins

I would like to share some tips from the Purple Martin Conservatory concerning the Purple Martins. "Ten reasons why people fail to attract Purple Martins."

1. Housing placed too close to tall trees or in yards that are too enclosed. Last year we had let a tree grow up too close to the back side of the Martin House line and I think that is why we didn't have as many Martins. The tree is gone now, so, perhaps, they will forgive us.

2. Landlord allows other bird species to claim the housing first. Starlings are always a problem in your yard, we try to keep them run off.

3. Housing placed too far from human housing. They like to be around people, although ours like to dive bomb us when we stand too near.

4. Housing not painted white. Our first couple of years we put up gourd Martin houses, not painted just natural. Finally we painted them white and the Martins did come!!

5. Housing opened up too early. This leaves time for blue birds and other birds to nest.

6. Failure to open the martin housing.

7. Vines and shrubs are allowed to grow up under the housing. Last year we let a Bradford Pear tree grow too large and too close to the back of the Martin Gourd Houses and we did not have as many Purple Martins. That tree has been removed with hopes of more Martins coming back this year.

8. Housing not really ‘built to specifications" The holes need to be 2-1/4" and the house needs to be at least 6" wide.

9. Housing attached to wires, or placed too close to wires. Our houses are strung across the yard on a heavy cord, but we do not have the squirrel problem here.

10. Landlords buy or build housing that can’t be easily managed. You need to be able to get up there and check to be sure no other birds are nesting or trying to take over the Martin's nests. The Martins don't mind.

I checked the Purple Martin Conservatory site today and it shows reports of Martin Scouts as close to us as Pineville, Louisiana. Pineville is probably within 200 miles of us, south, so they are not far!!

Still hoping you are safe from the devastation of the bad weather, and able to watch for the Martins!!

It is not too late to order your Gourd Martin Houses, see our site for Rocky Mount Gourds on the Local Harvest website.

For now,

The Gourd Lady of Rocky Mount

Purple Martins and Freezing Weather

This time of year, we never know what the weather is going to do. I have heard of years that thousands of Martins were lost due to the freezing weather. We should be thankful that the Martins have not fully made it all over the United States with the freeze and snows we are having right now. We had a mild ice storm here last night, but it was much worse in many parts of the U.S. I am including an image of one year here at Rocky Mount when the Martins did arrive early and we had a snow and ice storm. They did make it through though, probably because it didn't last too long.

During some of the cold lazy days before planting, you may want to
try helping your Grandchildren or some of the children of your church or community to create their own birdhouse. This image
is one of our Granddaughter's joyful creations!! It is so much fun
for all, and being creative is what it is all about.

For now,
The Gourd Lady of Rocky Mount