Page 12 - Discover Summer 2021
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Martins CONTINUED
M a r t ins C O NTINUED
and cliffs. Their exposure to man eventually cluster. Daily checks are recommended, and may
resulted in a complete “tradition shift”, to the involve removal of parasites, counting eggs and
point now where they nest almost exclusively in hatchlings, and even supplemental feeding of
man-made structures. Humans pose no threat, both nestlings and adult birds when necessary.
provide ready opportunities for nesting, and Their relatively tame nature allows the landlord
discourage the presence of natural predators. to handle the young and manage the nests
For their part, Purple Martins are desirable without fearing that the adults will abandon the
neighbors who are both beautiful to observe, and nest.
effective at insect control.
Serious landlords keep detailed written
The activities of Purple Martin records on their units and tenants, which
conservationists have spawned an entire multi- is valuable in detecting and correcting
million dollar industry. Five major martin problems, and also can help the Purple Martin
house manufacturers now produce and sell Conservation Association. By registering a
approximately 125,000 units annually. Aggregate colony and submitting detailed records to Project
sales of Martin housing and related products Martinwatch, participants can provide the
are estimated at as much as 30 million dollars PMCA with valuable data on population growth.
annually. The Purple Martin Conservation
Prospective hobbyists are cautioned not to
Association publishes an annual catalogue of
buy into some advertised claims that Purple
these items, which also contains information and
Martins will consume up to 2000 mosquitoes
advice for enthusiasts.
per day. This is a myth, perpetrated by vendors, in
One interesting aspect of being a “landlord” order to increase sales of housing units. In truth,
is the need to regularly inspect and maintain martins eat very few, if any mosquitoes. The
the housing. Regular monitoring allows the normal activity patterns of Purple Martins and
prompt removal of the nests of Starlings and mosquitoes overlap for a grand total of about 10
House Sparrows, and also tips the landlord off minutes per day, or about 1 percent of the total
to the presence of predators and parasites, of time that martins forage in a typical day. Purple
which there are many. Martins regularly fall Martins prefer larger, more substantive insects,
prey to owls, hawks, and snakes. Established such as butterflies, dragonflies, grasshoppers, and
management techniques are used to combat cicadas, just to name a few.
these threats, including properly sized entrance
Therefore, don’t be misled into thinking that
holes, and external predator guards.
establishing a Purple Martin colony will be an
While some landlords prefer traditional effective means of eradicating mosquitoes from
bird-house type structures, others opt for either your yard. Instead, consider it an opportunity to
natural or artificial gourds. In any case, it is help ensure their continued survival, with the
crucial that the cavities have the proper features added benefit of meeting some interesting new
to discourage predators, as well as those that neighbors.
promote the safe and healthy development of the
To learn more about Purple Martins and the
young.
Purple Martin Conservation Association, visit
Housing is usually mounted on a vertical pole them online at: www.purplemartin.org
that either telescopes downward, or employs a
winch system that raises and lowers the housing
10 Discover Smith Mountain Lake SUMMER 2021
