Diy purple martin house.

Diy purple martin house.

[@EveryoneIsFightingSomeBattle]

Large compartments with the hinged fronts for easy access, starling-resistant entrances, very attractive appearance - you get a 10 out of 10 in my book! Truly top-notch work! What would be extra neat, would be to set it up to where a large pole (for that house something like a 3" square aluminum pole) could run up through the middle of the house, allowing it to be raised and lowered via a winch and cable system.

[@shawnantel8238]

You sure are handy in the wood shop. Looks like a good project when the snow is flying. Thanks for sharing

[@JohnFieldingUSA]

Wondering if you did a video update on the Purple Martin house build? Pros and cons of your build. I’m just starting my research and appreciate any input you might have to offer.

[@user-hg4jy4sl1q]

Nice

[@RussWilson]

Thanks

[@brettpayton6286]

Awsome Russ. I was looking for multi family builds an your was the only one i could fine. Great build. Do you got a video or pictures of finish product thats up an installed

[@RussWilson]

Illll make a video.

[@billhickson8712]

Russ, Really miss your videos. Hope you are doing well and things are good on the farm. Take care.

[@kathymeley9553]

What a great project.

[@degrooem]

Did the Martins move in?

[@RussWilson]

We did have purple martins! Neat little bird.

[@mikeclement5383]

Two of these should help keep the deer flies down!

[@MrMantraMan]

Keep us up to date if you would please on your bird ventures.

[@jasonacebo9371]

Would you build to sell?

[@rayward9265]

Why are you building a purple martin house? What do these birds contribute to your farm?

[@EveryoneIsFightingSomeBattle]

Good question. I've been researching Purple Martins for about 35 years now. Aside from the pleasure of watching them and their amazing flight characteristics, they do cut down on the number of flying insects within a decent sized radius around the housing. Though they don't eat as many mosquitos as some may think, conversely they do eat more than some may think. There have been numerous testimonials over the years from experienced Martin "landlords", noting a stark reduction in the numbers of mosquitoes, flies, etc., in their yards or on their property, once they began hosting them. Add to that the frequent sightings of Martins feeding at low levels with other smaller swallows, no doubt picking off mosquitoes, flies, as well as swarming flying termites and ants. All that said, small insects like mosquitoes do not make up the majority of Martins' diets, but instead the majority consists of larger insects flying at higher altitudes like dragonflies, wasps, etc. Another thing that's important to note is Martin numbers have dropped significantly over the past 50 to 60 years, due to not only house sparrow and starling competition, but also due to a major reduction in available housing. Folks simply are not putting up Martin houses any longer, like they did 50 to 60-plus years ago. Any well-built, managed ("managed" being keeping house sparrows, starlings, and predators out) housing raised into the air, is a huge win for the Martin species. As the to the question about what they contribute to a farm - would the reduction in parasitic flying insects such as mosquitoes, biting flies like horseflies, and potentially keeping crop depredating birds like crows away (Native Americans used to attract Martins near their crops using hollowed out gourds, since the Martins have a certain amount of airspace around their housing that they will chase certain species like crows and hawks out of) all possibly be considered contributions to a farm?