I Am a Landlord Now
I Am a Landlord Now, that is what they call you when you put up a Purple Martin House for the birds. We use to have a house for them when I was a child. My grandfather built one and we always had birds in it. So my husband put this one up for me 3 days ago and we are already getting visitors.
According to my research, having a Martin house is like being a land lord. You have to make sure no other birds try to nest in it. It has to be in the right location and the right height to attract them. In the spring this breed of bird sends out scouts to roam the landscapes looking for houses for the colony. Over the years these birds have figured out that they want their houses to be close to human houses. Because humans keep predators away, like racoons, cats, larger birds.
Usually two will come by and check out the house and the location. So yesterday our first two came by for a visit and today they came back for a second look around. One sat up on top surveying the landscape.
The other one was peaking inside the apartments to see if they were up to par. They are particular about their housing units. They like a 6x6x12 room, ours are 6x6x6. We will see if they want to rent the apartments or not, it is free rent for them. 🙂
They are such a pretty bird and they eat lots of bugs. We will set up a second house once they start living here. In the fall one has to take the house down and clean it and have it ready for them again next year.
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59 Replies to “I Am a Landlord Now”
Omg, Im in love with these photos!! Thank you so much for sharing xx
Thank you so much 🙂 I appreciate that.
This is great … they are checking out the new digs and it’s hard to tell who is having the better time: them with their discovery of great living arrangements or you, who now can reminisce about all these years later watching the Purple Martins and now taking photos of them and their young.
Yes, how time travels, seeing them again so many years later.
Yes, it does – you liked being landlords then and will enjoy it as an older you as well.
What a beautiful house and how exciting that some Martins are already checking out your new rental! If they chat with the other birds in your yard they’ll quickly learn it’s the place to stay. I grew up in a farming community and most farm ponds had a Martin house strategically placed near its border to help curb the mosquito problem. It was so much fun watching these birds fly and dip above the surface of the water on summer evenings.
Yes, I hope they decide to make a home here, we have a pond out back, a great place for these beautiful birds..
A magnificent sight is at home for your bird friends!
Thank you, I hope they stay for the summer.
smile
Always 😊
This is awesome. Hope you get lotsa tenants!
Me to Eliza, love having them around.
This is so cool. Must be the best house on the market. Little decks, gutters, shingle roof. Wifi? Good job! Thanks Sandra. (You must keep us updated…)
I know, I love the gutters on the roof, and the one bird peaking into one of the apartments. I will keep you updated for sure.
Fred These are awlully small spaces, Fred You know I wanted the blue house, Fred, don’t forget mother will be living next door, Fred, i hope you can find better nesting materials this year. It’s no wonder Fred is sitting up on the antenna looking for a way to escape to hang with his finch buddies.
Great pictures Sandra, but I have a warped mind
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Laugh because… Why not??
Lol, we were coming up with similar antics, especially when they came back for a second look around. I could hear her saying, ” I really like this place, and there is a pool for the kids out back.” He is like, ” we have two more places to look at yet, don’t let them know you like it ” 😅
Did either ask if heat was incloded??
Lol, air conditioning definitely included when the west winds blow.
Can I pay monthly or do you want a lease??
Monthly, they go to Brazil in the winter. That is quite the trip..😊
Fascinating and informative. Makes us look like pikers with our single hanging plant that may or may not attract Carolina wrens to establish a nest.
🙂 that is funny. And this is the smaller version of houses for these birds. They get bigger. Like 24 room condos 🙂
When we were coming back from the Outer Banks, a few weeks ago, we passed a couple of fields with several bird condos. Now I’m wondering if they were purple martin houses but they were not nearly as cute as yours and may not have been because they lacked the preferred housing density.
Yes, those are the only big bird houses I know of for these birds. It would be interesting to see what other birds might use this type of house.
Simply beautiful!!
Thank you KK 🙂
A beautiful house and a great landlady ! Wonderful…
Thanks, Sandra. Have a nice day.
Thank you so much Francine, hope I have a full house here for the summer 🙂
Nice shots! My neighbor recently put up a Purple Martin house, and Eastern Bluebirds are already nesting in it. 😲 Everyone wants the beautiful condo!
Yes, and mine is not on a telescoping pole, so when we have to take it down it is a process. I hope they come back and stay. 🙂
Now that is a cool house. So nice of your husband to do this for you. Nice memories for you.
Thank you Marland, yes my husband has never seen a purple martin until today. They are very colorful birds.
Amazing! A high percentage of homes in our county have 2-4 marten houses.
Wow, I have not seen a martin since I was very young and have never seen a house for them since then. I will be putting up another one. I like having them around.
This is a real bird castle ! So nice 🙂
If you build it they will come 🙂 hopefully
Wish you lots of fun with all the birds.
Kind regards
Thank you Rob 🙂
💜 Great LandLady; it’s a bonus that YOU!!! ARE NOT!!! Charging RENT!!!
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Thank you, 😊
💜 YOU!!! ARE Most Welcome SupaSoulSis; it’s a Pleasure to Share and Serve, Stay Strong and Serene
…💛💚💙…
Thank you again for your kind words. Have a wonderful day 😊
Such amazing tenants and so nice to build shelter for them. Awesome photos.
They are such a pretty bird, it will be fun to have them raise their little ones here. 😊
It definitely will🙂
Here is a beautiful accommodation and the birds will quickly have taken possession of the place.I love it.
Yes, my husband was excited to see them as well. He has never seen a purple martin before.
How fascinating! I’ve never heard of this sort of thing before.
They are such a pretty bird and that they eat lots of bugs. Great to have around. 😊
That’s so exciting! Keep us posted. I foresee a lot of great adventures for your new tenants. 🙂
It was so exciting to see a pair stop in for a visit. The research said it takes awhile for them to decide if they want to nest at a new spot. 😊
They have high standards, huh? 🙂
Yes, they send out apartment scouts before the family moves in 🙂
A splendid house! English house Martins like nesting under the eaves of the roof and I think they were trying to make it law that new house builders included holes in the wall for them.
How interesting, I used to have barn swallow birds on the farm. They are great to have around because of all the bugs they eat.
Beautiful photos of your new tenants Sandra.
Thank you, it sure is exciting to see these birds again.