Purple Martins

Peter Goren, Steve Foster, Mark Tancig,
and Mike Dugger erect the Martin pole

It will soon be time for Purple Martin scouts to arrive in their migration from Brazil to seek out housing for the next season. Purple Martins are in the sparrow family, the largest sparrows in the United States.  Their preferred nesting sites—empty woodpecker holes and similar cavities,  have been greatly reduced by clearing and development. East of the Rockies, they no longer can be found in any natural nests  They have been living in nesting places provided by humans for a long time. It is thought that if humans discontinue supplying housing, these birds would become extinct.

Martins feed solely on flying insects such as dragonflies and beetles, some of which are damaging to our vegetables. It is widely thought that they also feed on mosquitoes, but that has not been proven.

For an interesting article and much more information on Purple Martins follow this link:  https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW450

In the VegHeadz garden we have large artificial gourds for the Martins which need to be cleaned and repositioned every year. This year we also needed to replace the cord which raises and lowers the arms for access to the gourds.  Our garden coordinator, Carole Hayes, has cleaned the gourds and today some of the VegHeadz lowered the pole, replaced the cord, and rehung the gourds.   Thanks to the ever resourceful VegHeadz.  

For cleaning Carole tells us it’s best to use a mild solution of vinegar and water.  The residue from bleach or other strong chemicals would be harmful to the birds and their babies.   

Now we await the scouts.