High Winds in Texas Killed One of My Purple Martin Houses

[Kirk]

We had peak wind gusts over 50+ mph around Austin on Monday.  I couldn't believe what happened to one of my purple martin poles -- it's on the ground.

Luckily, it's early in the season and my first birds always come back to the house left standing.  There were no birds yet in the felled house.

I love the purple martins.  They are so social and very interesting to watch.  Like lava, they relieve stress.  I have fairly cheap housing, and I've been meaning to upgrade.  This high wind event was the kick in the pants I needed.  The birds are SO worth it!

By Tuesday, I had a cadillac, gourd system installed to replace the fallen housing.

I didn't think anything could slow down my lava lamp purchasing, but this baby did.  <grin>  

If anyone is interested, google Purple Martin Propagators.  The guy who owns the company is out of Austin.  He installs all over Texas and ships nationwide.  He knows his stuff and is working hard to supply housing that will last a lifetime in hopes of saving these endangered birds.  

Due to habitat loss from the introduction of sparrows and starlings in the last half of the 1800s, the purple martin population is 10% of what it was in 1930.  It would be such a shame to lose these incredible creatures.

You see, there is something else I love as much as lava!

[Jus]

They are really pretty!  Never seen one before, but googled it in response to your post.

Sorry your other house got trashed!  But I'm thinkin' they're gonna like the new one waaaaay better.

Good luck!

[Loren]

That's cool! You should set up a camera and record them up close...Richard Attenborrough style. :p

Confession: I first read this as "purple martian houses". LOL!

[Keith]

Having spent the last week in Odessa on a oil rig move I know what you mean about the wind!  Sorry you lost the house, but the new one looks pretty cool. ;)

[Brad]

glad you got it replaced.  looks like the new setup has a larger diameter pole, so hopefully that will keep it in the ground.  how deep is the pole in the ground, and did you set it in concrete?

[Kirk]

The new rig is rated to withstand a category 2 hurricane -- 95 mph winds.  They are installing these on the Texas coast, too. It should be pretty safe here in Austin.

On Monday, before the house blew down, I had 5 purple martins in the house left standing.  Tonight when I got home from work there were over 10 (hard to count them) with several entering the new housing!  So exciting!

Loren - you cracked me up!

Keith - these were the worst winds I've seen in Austin since I've lived here - 1985. I mean it blew from 10a until 10p on Monday.  I live in the country.  In the city, trees were blown down, roofing peeled off, crap blew everywhere.  We really weren't ready for these sustained high winds.  I think the further west you went from Austin the peak gusts were between 60-70 mph!  Glad it's over...

[Kirk]

They are amazing birds, Jus.  They migrate every Spring from South America to nest and raise their young in North America.  I pretty incredible feat by itself.

With all of their natural housing habitat now gone to the starlings and sparrows, they are completely dependent on man for survival.  They may be the only *wild* creature to have this kind of semi-domesticated relationship with us.  Darn special, I think.

Jus said:

They are really pretty!  Never seen one before, but googled it in response to your post.

Sorry your other house got trashed!  But I'm thinkin' they're gonna like the new one waaaaay better.

Good luck!

[Kirk]

These are heavy duty, square poles.  The main pole sits on a socket pole cemented 3-4 feet in the ground.  Very secure.

Brad said:

glad you got it replaced.  looks like the new setup has a larger diameter pole, so hopefully that will keep it in the ground.  how deep is the pole in the ground, and did you set it in concrete?