Navigating the Round Table

[Terry Suchma]

Dear Landlords,

(You may want to print this page out and follow along if you are visiting for the first time.)

This morning I have two emails requesting information on how to post to the Round Table.

First off, you must have a username and a password.

With the Internet these day working like the wild, wild west and electronic bots running amuk and wreaking havoc with open discussion areas, like this, and other sites on the web, we request that you register and provide yourself with a legitimate, not fictitious, name and individual password. We recommend that you actually use a part of your real name as annonymous and fictitious names only promote undesirable behavior on public boards such as this.

In order to have this, you must register with the Round Table Discussion Groups. To register, click the Register icon button in the top left menu of the main page of the Round Table.

When you are on the Registration Page, humor us and fill in the blanks. By actually providing your birthday and typing and filling in all the blanks, you prove to us that you are a legitimate individual and not a spammer or electronic bot. Your birthday is of no importance to us. In fact, you can keep that secret by checking appropriately in the CU or user's profile area. It is just a way to prove to us that you are real.

If you do not know the answers to the following questions about martins and bluebirds at the bottom, just put in "I do not know." We get a lot of novices and realize that they may have a potential interest in martins or bluebirds and not know much about either bird.

When we read what you write here, we definitely know that you are a real person and are not a bot. We are inundated with bots and to keep you and ourselves safe here, we work hard in keeping them out of our discussion forums here on the RTC.

After you insert your birth date, you are required to read our Acceptable Use Policy. This is really important and your acceptance of this policy, read one time, shows respect for the RTC and those that use it. After reading the Acceptable Use Policy, check the policy at the bottom and now, click register now.

After you click register, this now brings you to your profile page and fill it in. We are not looking to harvest your information. Again, we need to know you are human and NOT humanoid.

Your information, should you decide to checkmark otherwise can be private. Even we don't know what your password is as it is encrypted.

After you have quickly filled in the blanks on the register page, type in the capcha letters, again, bots can't read and can't type--yet!

That's it on the Registering part!

At this point, you are both registered and logged in to the RTCs.

Logging is something you will have to do every time you come to the RTCs. Logging is entering your username and password every time you visit us on the Round Table.


Remember! You can always read the RTCs without logging in but if you want to make a comment or ask a question, you must go to the upper right area, insert your username and password to log in, in order to do so.


Now, how do you navigate the RTCs?

On the main page of the RTCs, there is an extensive list of discussion groups currently active. You will see that there are five forums for Purple Martins in the Purple Martin Conferences area.

Below the Purple Martin Conferences, we host a separate discussion area for our bluebird friends in the Bluebird Conferences (there are 3 conferences).

Below Bluebirds, there is the Miscellaneous Conferences for general birding, nature, bird news, etc. We host Rick's Nature Page, Birds of a Feather for general birdwatchers, blogs by Martin Maven, Susan's Blog, Mayflower PMs, Window on a Texas Wildscape, Birds in the News and our off the beaten track, Cackles, for a smile on your face.

Below Misc Conferences, we host various martin or otherwise groups in the Wing To Wing Resource Conferences area that shows an interest in furthering their goals publicly and network between themselves and/or with other groups in North America. Currently, we offer Purple Martin Landlords of North Texas (PMLNT), Central Indiana Purple Martin Association (CIMPA), Northwest Alabama Purple Martin Club and the Essex County Purple Martin Association (Ontario, Canada), The Purple Martin Society of Collier County and the Chicago Parks District. The offer is open to any PM group that would like to newwork with each other and others on the Round Table. (Write to us: info@purplemartins.com)

Under all this, there is the The General Conferences providing an archive of information for about 7-8 years and a list of resources for landlords.

To Post:

For instance, for Purple Martin devotees, there is the Purple Martin Conferences, and inside this area, we host the (Main) Round Table Conference. If you want to post to the (Main) Round Table Conference, click the (Main) Round Table. If you see something there of interest, Click on one of these threads to read.

If you want to comment or add, click the reply button which appears at the at the top left of the thread.

When this opens up, there is a text box and simply type in your comment or question.

If you would like to start a new discussion in the Round Table (and don't be shy) in the list of discussion groups, there is a an option in the top left, New Thread. Click New Thread. When you do, a text box appears, type in your new thoughts, comments, questions and at the bottom, you have two options: Submit New Thread or Preview Post. Click one and your thread or reply will appear.

When you are finished at the Round Table, it is important and many forget to do so, but remember to log out at the top right and end your session.

The Purple Martin Round Table is pretty much straight forward but if you have any questions, write us here: info@purplemartins.com

Hope this helps you!

Terry

[Buddy]

Terry: Perhaps it has been taken down... or have just forgotten how to post... but I couldn't find the Landlord Forum. Can you help me post this in the right place? Better late than never?? Thanks! Buddy

The following is an account of our “Class of 2009.”
It was the evening of 6 February that we saw a single, lone “scout” high above, flying straight north. It was not until three week later on 23 February that our six “tenants to be” arrived. Of course we were excited, and put up our double-sized compartment house right away. However, we kept the openings covered for several days until we could see some consistent gathering. We also kept a second house in reserve just in case the demand required. We did not want to provide excess availability too early, in case the sparrows decided to take over. We had already gathered clean, fresh pine straw, cut it into 6-inch lengths, and “feathered their nests” for them. A few days later there were 8-10 Martins flying about, so we opened up the six compartments. It seemed to take longer for our flock to “pair up” this year. There would be a lot of activity one day and then they were nowhere to be seen for a couple of days. Finally, by late March, we appeared to have six regular tenants... two females and four males. The two extra males just hung out during the summer and helped chase away the sparrows.
On 31 March there was a spectacular sight that we have never seen before, or since. Out of nowhere, there were literally hundreds of Martins circling! A fairly strong storm was brewing with dark, menacing low clouds, gusty winds, and stinging rain. The huge flock looked like they were trying to find shelter as they circled and landed, took off again, and landed on our house. At one point there were over 100 Martins sitting on our house! We have a picture!

One of the improvements we added this year was to install four, 3/8 inch diameter by 36 inch long dowels as “perching poles.” They extended out a foot beyond the sides of the house. This provided an additional 8 feet of perching area and while not obstructing the exit and departure from the compartments. The Martins loved it! That evening we had Martins literally crowded shoulder-shoulder on both ends of all four poles, across the top and bottom porches and eaves, and even on top of the roof! Amazing! They rode out the night… and were gone by early the next morning. Apparently we had provided an emergency “pit stop” for a large migrating flock. Of course they could have flown inland and perhaps found trees with big sturdy limbs to hang onto and ride out the storm. But, with the house mounted on a 4x4 inch x 16 foot post that is bolted to one of the dock pilings, it provided a steady perch that did not whip back and forth in the wind. So, apparently it was the “perch of choice” for the night.
The two pairs hatched two babies each for a total of four newbies. However, for some reason… they were spaced about 2-3 weeks apart. By the time the second pair of eggs hatched, the first pair already had long feathers. The last two fledglings slipped the surly bonds on 27 June. All have been eagerly practicing their take offs and landings climbs and dives for the past few weeks. Early on, you could certainly spot the youngsters in their awkward attempts to hone their areal skills.
One interesting thing we also noted this season was the preference of compartments. When you double the size of the S&K 12-compartment house, you end up with two compartments that are long and narrow, and four that you have to make a 90 degree turn to get into the nest. Both couples chose the 90 degree compartments. We think this is because they sensed more protected from predators, the sun, and the wind. There was never a noticeable increase in potential tenants beyond the first six that settled in for the summer, so we did not put up the second house. Also, although they could have selected two 90 degree compartments on either of the same sides… they chose to select one from opposite sides. The gabled ends of house are oriented north and south, so one compartment was facing east and other facing west. We guess each “family” just wanted to have their privacy and be able to stretch out?
Sparrows: We disposed of eight males and two female this season through a combination of traps and sharp shooting. Thank goodness, they were not nearly as much of a problem this year as they were last. However, we did suffer some losses. We found two pin-holed eggs in our yard shortly after they were hatched, and another one (pin-holed) that had been pushed out into the outer part of a compartment. So, 4 out of 7 put our fledgling rate at 57%. We think our losses would have been much worse if we had not taken down the house after the Martins migrated south. This prevented the sparrows from becoming entrenched over the winter.
For the first time… this summer we have noticed a new threat. Hawks! Several times they made nigh speed dives down from a hundred feet above and tried to attack. The Martins were able to narrowly escaped through expert, last second, high-g maneuvering and literally hitting the deck (make that water), and speeding off only a couple of inches above the surface! Reminded me of when I was dodging SAMs in the F-105 in North Viet Nam! A potentially deadly experience! So, now one of our worries is that if a hawk dives on the fledglings before they can get out of Dodge… they won’t have a chance! Any ideas on how to discourage hawks?
*****
In four days it will be August, and our Martins are still here!! They have always been gone by the end of the first week in July. What is going on? Everything is happening much later this year. Just when we think they have left (after not being around for a couple of days)… they show up and hang around the house for the evening. Very Strange. We have not noticed the mass “rendezvous in the sky” this year yet, so maybe they are waiting for the big wave to come through. We will make a final post with our Lessons Learned hen this occurs.
*****
Sure enough, during this past couple of weeks, sparrows have already built two nests in the abandoned compartments! We have cleaned out and closed up the compartments, but have left the house on the pole so the Martins can come and sit.
Well, our little Class of 2009 marshaled with several hundred others high in the sky directly above us on 30 July. Like smoke from a campfire rising into the clouds, our little flock was absorbed into the feathered overcast as it moved south. By the next day they were all… gone. Another season. Another cycle of Nature. This was not a large brood, but at least the two couples were able to replace themselves with two fledglings each, so we are happy. We will miss them and hope they find their way safely to South America… and return.
2009 Lessons Learned:
1. Take down, clean up, repair, and put away you house once you are sure YOUR martins have gone. You may still have occasional passersby on their way south that may just stop for a rest, but they don’t intend to stay. It you still want to temporarily leave your house up for that purpose, then at least close the compartments. Why? Once the sparrows (who by the way stick around all year) notice the Martins have gone … they will come out in force to take aver all the compartments for the winter. Don’t let them do it. Break the pattern and avoid heartbreak next spring. Sparrows have and can find numerous places to nest. They are everywhere! Martins on the other hand, depend and rely entirely on YOU to provide a specific type of housing and some level of protection. It’s just part of your responsibility as a Purple Martin Landlord! Do your part, help them flourish, and enjoy your (and their) achievement!
2. When you put up your house next spring… don’t rush at the sight of the first scout. Contain your excitement and discipline yourself to wait a few days until you see several Martins who appear to be banding together… especially if there is one or two females in the group.
3. When you do up your house, be very stingy with opening of the compartments. Too many openings too early will only encourage the sparrows to try to take over, and this will drive your Martins away.
4. If you have an S&K 12-unit house, expand the compartments to double size. A single compartment is only 6x6x6 inches. Think of how cramped this is with Mama and two or three growing fledglings. Plus, only one adult at a time can get inside. We believe the double compartment gives the family a stronger sense of security and allows both Mom and Dad to be inside (out of the weather) with their brood.
5. If you are in an area that is prone to high winds, be sure to erect a very strong pole. As we have mentioned in earlier posts… it took just one microburst to bend the telescoping S7K aluminum poles into unusable sticks. A 4x4 inch x 16 foot post (like ours) may seem like overkill, but it will provide a much more secure installation… without whipping back and forth.
What are we going to do next?
A. Take the house down. Clean, disinfect, do any repairs, and store for next Spring.
B. We were saddened to hear that due to extremes of weather, there was a massive “Purple Martin Kill” across the northern tier of states this year. We had our share of oppressive heat in June, but fortunately it was not immediately accompanied by serious cold snaps, and then prolonged periods of rain. Still, we want to be prepared in case we get this pattern in the future. We will be “studying up” on ways to:
o Better insulate the house against the extremes of hot and cold… especially hot.
o Ways to manually feed the flock
C. Continue with a year-around sparrow elimination program.

We hope the new landlords find this information useful.

Buddy and Jackie