Purple Martin Houses in Summer and Fall - How Late is Too Late?
Purple martins usually begin arriving in the southern parts of the U.S. in the middle of January. It can sometimes be even earlier. In fact, the earliest sighting that I am aware of from the last season was on December 6, 2006. That particular purple martin returned from its wintering grounds before winter had officially begun! Straggling martins, which are the younger birds, probably returning from South America for the first time, may continue to arrive through June in the northern states and Canada. By now, most purple martin landlords are watching in their annual amazement at the speed at which young martins become adept at flying and catching insects.
So is it too late to put up a new purple martin birdhouse? Absolutely not. A new landlord would do well to erect a birdhouse now. Landlords should leave it open through August, because the young, newly fledged birds in the area may take notice of a great new house for next season.
Many newbie landlords believe that they need to put the birdhouse up just before purple martins begin arriving in their area, but that is not wholly accurate. The first martins to arrive are adult birds that generally will not abandon their previous homes in favor of a new one. The sub-adult martins, who are in the market for nice, new housing, arrive from four to six weeks after the full adults begin showing up. A new purple martin birdhouse would need to be erected before that point to have a realistic chance of attracting a pair of young birds. Of course, it usually takes two or three seasons to establish a colony; logically, then, the earlier a birdhouse is put up, the more time martins have to notice it, and the quicker the colony may be founded.
In my opinion, the only time it does not make sense to erect a purple martin birdhouse is when there is snow on the ground, or when the ground is frozen. Obviously, the labor involved in that situation would be far more intensive than it need be.
So if you have been considering starting a purple martin colony of your own, now is a great time. Get the birdhouse up while the weather is good and while young purple martins have a chance to see it. Happy Birding!
So is it too late to put up a new purple martin birdhouse? Absolutely not. A new landlord would do well to erect a birdhouse now. Landlords should leave it open through August, because the young, newly fledged birds in the area may take notice of a great new house for next season.
Many newbie landlords believe that they need to put the birdhouse up just before purple martins begin arriving in their area, but that is not wholly accurate. The first martins to arrive are adult birds that generally will not abandon their previous homes in favor of a new one. The sub-adult martins, who are in the market for nice, new housing, arrive from four to six weeks after the full adults begin showing up. A new purple martin birdhouse would need to be erected before that point to have a realistic chance of attracting a pair of young birds. Of course, it usually takes two or three seasons to establish a colony; logically, then, the earlier a birdhouse is put up, the more time martins have to notice it, and the quicker the colony may be founded.
In my opinion, the only time it does not make sense to erect a purple martin birdhouse is when there is snow on the ground, or when the ground is frozen. Obviously, the labor involved in that situation would be far more intensive than it need be.
So if you have been considering starting a purple martin colony of your own, now is a great time. Get the birdhouse up while the weather is good and while young purple martins have a chance to see it. Happy Birding!