Every thriving Purple Martin colony begins with a single decision — to put up the right housing in the right place and commit to the birds that find it. The Settlers Package is built for that moment. A complete, staff-designed entry-level colony system that gives the first-time Purple Martin landlord everything needed to attract, establish, and begin managing a colony from day one. Six crescent SREH gourds. A 15-foot S&K telescoping aluminum tri-pole with ground socket. A hanging gourd bracket engineered to lower the entire setup for nest checks without a ladder. Two Purple Martin decoys to signal to scouts that this is an active, occupied site. And the Stokes Purple Martin Book — one of the most comprehensive colony management references available to the serious new landlord. This is not a starter kit that will be outgrown in a season. It is a foundation.
Scientific Engineering
Crescent Starling-Resistant Entrance Holes (SREH): Each of the six gourds features a crescent-shaped opening measuring 2.125"L x 1.375"H — physically excluding European Starlings while admitting Purple Martins without restriction. Passive, permanent colony protection from the first day of installation.
Extended Neck Gourd Design: The elongated neck profile of each gourd mimics the geometry of natural gourds — the cavity shape Purple Martins evolved to prefer — improving scout attraction rates and first-season occupancy compared to standard round-hole housing.
Light-Colored Gourd Construction: The pale exterior of each gourd reflects solar radiation, reducing interior temperature buildup during peak summer heat and protecting nestlings from heat stress during critical development windows.
Base Seam Drainage: A designed seam at the base of each gourd allows water ingress to drain freely, keeping nest interiors dry throughout active breeding season regardless of precipitation.
Offset Bracket Rod Design: The S&K Hanging Gourd Bracket features offset rod lengths that naturally space gourds at varying distances from the hub — reducing inter-pair territorial conflict and supporting stable multi-pair occupancy from the first season.
Telescoping Tri-Pole with Ground Socket: The included S&K 15-foot telescoping aluminum tri-pole collapses from the bottom for raise-and-lower access without a ladder — putting nest checks, competitor eviction, and seasonal management within reach on every visit.
Purple Martin Decoys with Mounts: Two species-accurate Purple Martin decoys mount to the installation and signal to arriving scouts that this is a recognized, occupied colony site — one of the most effective passive scout attraction tools available to the first-season landlord.
Pin-Secured Gourd Mounting: Gourds slide onto bracket rods and secure with pins for tool-free installation and removal during seasonal transitions and nest checks.
Boutique & Conservation Values
Complete First-Season Infrastructure: Every component required to establish a functional Purple Martin colony site is included — pole, ground socket, bracket, gourds, decoys, and reference guide. No supplemental purchases required to get started.
Scout Attraction Strategy Built In: The combination of SREH gourds, extended neck design, and Purple Martin decoys represents a multi-layered passive scout attraction approach — giving first-season landlords the best possible chance of colony establishment in year one.
The Stokes Purple Martin Book: Written by two of North America's most respected birding authorities, this comprehensive reference covers attraction, housing, colony management, and species behavior in detail — the essential companion for any landlord serious about running a successful program.
Kit Contents
6 Wild Bird Lover's Two-Piece Martin Gourds (crescent SREH)
1 S&K Hanging Gourd Bracket
1 S&K Telescoping Aluminum Tri-Pole with Ground Socket, 15'
2 S&K Purple Martin Decoys with Mounts
1 Stokes Purple Martin Book
Specifications
Gourd Diameter: 8" per gourd
Gourd Height: 12.25" per gourd
Entrance Hole Style: Crescent SREH
Entrance Hole Dimensions: 2.125" L x 1.375" H
Gourd Material: Plastic
Pole Material: Telescoping Aluminum
Pole Style: Triangular (Tri-Pole)
Pole Height: 15'
Gourd Count: 6
Recommended Installation Height: 15'
Mounting: Ground socket (included)
Compatible Houses: S&K Triangular Pole-Compatible Purple Martin Houses
