Super size it!

I was just thinking that with my expansion, I will have double the gourds up this year than I had actual pairs of martins last year. And after last year's season, I remember posting on the Purple Martin Research Forum that I would never expand again, because taking care of these birds was too much work. But I think most of us landlords are both happy to see our martins return, and then happy to see them go.

At least the way I am revamping my site, it will lessen the impact of male domination. The Super System's are probably the best rack there is to stop male domination when gourds are correctly positioned. That was my motivation when I ordered four of them this season, plus they are expandable up to 32 gourds. These racks are available from Creative Universe Enterprises in Fairview, PA.

Yea, I over did my expansion somewhat. But I did the same in the past and have learned more gourds equals more martins. Martins by their nature are not communal birds by choice, but by necessity. If you don't believe this, watch a couple males fighting over not one gourd, but two or three in the same proximity. Man created the necessity for purple martins and even tree swallows and bluebirds to rely on human provided housing. Man destroyed their ability to breed in natural habitat when European starlings and house sparrows were introduced from Europe.

So if you are a purple martin landlord wanting to grow your colony, and you are waiting until you are at 100% capacity to consider adding cavities, maybe you should rethink that position.