This is the larger style of Home Bazaar's Clubhouse Bird House that has been inspired by the classic southern plantation style
Roof boasts actual shingles
Porch surrounds each level of the house, complete with posts to support the overhanging roof, and white railings to offer martins a convenient perch
16 Martin families will nest in style in this fully functional house
Each apartment has a 2" diameter entrance hole,
The white crows nest has four ventilation holes covered by screen, to help regulate the temperature inside the home
The top lifts off with the removal of four screws to allow yearly cleaning
Post not included.
Dimensions - 24" x 24" x 20"
Compartments: 4.25"L x 4.25"W x 4.25"H
Note: Wooden construction will weather and age over time for a natural looking bird house which is more attractive to birds nesting. If however you want to keep the paint from fading -cover with a polyurethane product recommended for marine use.
Many mistakes are made by new owners of purple martin houses. Keep the following in mind when putting up your birdhouse:
Select a site with a minimum distance of 40 feet--more if possible--from the nearest tall tree and place the housing in the center of the open spot.
Housing must not be occupied by another bird species.
Place martin housing from 40 to 100 feet away from your house. Martins like human activity so don't place them too far away.
Check the usual arrival date for martins in your area and watch for those first arrivals; then plan to open the housing about four weeks after this date. Do not open your house too early
Keep at least one entrance open on each side of the house for inspection by the birds when they arrive at the site.
Houses should be white. Trim can be another color as long as majority of house is white
Remove any plantings around base of martin house. Purple martins are concerned with predators and thus avoild areas of plantings
Entrance hole should be 2" to 2 1/4" in diameter
Housing cannot be too close to or attached to wires. Wires enable predators such as squirrels to get to the house
Housing needs be erected or taken down easily. Keeping the house clear of other birds nests and checking nests are important activities that contribute to raising more young martins each year
Note: Boat docks make ideal locations for mounting a martin house
Once they have bred successfully at a specific location, the same birds return there year after year.
