RicelandMeadows

                                           March 2, 2012 

     Our children bought me this Purple Martin house for a Christmas gift. I was delighted. Attracting these beneficial birds has been on my “to do” list for quite some time. The house came in “kit” form with some assembly required.     

     My wife and I were reading that you must have the Martin house up in very early March for our locale, in order for the male scout birds to find it. The scout birds travel ahead of the main flock to search for suitable nesting places for them. So, getting the house up in time is very important.     

      We decided that tonight after supper we would put it all together so that I can get it up on the pole tomorrow. Did I say that some assembly was required? Oh my God… some assembly turned out to be an almost punishment!     

     It told us to put together the majority of pieces with quarter-inch screws. They meant quarter-inch long… way too small for old stiff fingers and carpel tunnel!.It took us over four hours for the “some assembly” part. My back and shoulders feel like I was dragged down the highway, both hands are cramped and I have lost all feeling in my finger tips.     

     I sure hope those birds appreciate our efforts! I also hope the scout birds don’t fly too far ahead of the main flock, so that I have time to get the house up in time for their inspection. There were a few times that I thought they might be nesting in our dumpster. I also hope they like the color because I cussed so much half of the paint wanted to peel off 😮     

     I was even considering just putting up more bat houses in order to control mosquitos. The barn swallows do a good job, maybe they would be enough. We fought our way through this project and now I understand why the price on a ready to use Martin house is so expensive… no one in their right mind would put one together twice! It must simply be for the love of birds!