As a novice in all of this I finally go two of the PM houses up and securely mounted on the dock. I know it may be too late this year but hopefully I might be able to see at least a couple stop by for a visit!
I have included a photo so you can see where they are on the dock.
The houses are the plastic Red Barn houses and the pole is the quad-tel pole that several of you, including me, was having problems with. I fixed the dock adapters so they won't bend anymore in the wind. Hopefully everything is stable now. They look good where they are at and I have had the neighbors comment how nice they look.
Looks really nice and I am still confident you will pick up a few pair of martins this season.
I do have three SY females (second year; those born last year) at my site. I do not have any SY males. I had about eight adult martins come in during the past couple of days. The SY's should be arriving in force any day now, especially with these warmer temps and southerly winds.
Tim
Licensed Bander
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
Looks like you are right on lake Conway. You could not have a more perfect site than this. There are martins in abundance, as well as tree swallows on that lake. Looks like a good setup to me. You might also consider adding a few gourds to your setup since martins like a choice in housing. I have a couple of extra large, natural gourds if you would like them. I work in Conway. Let me know. - Kent / Mt. Vernon, AR
Hayden, you are not too late for this year. The subbies really haven't started arriving yet, and I doubt that all the adults are finished migrating. Hopefully, now that you have had this experience, and are truly bitten by the bug, you will get some real housing up for next year.
Nice to be that close to the water and having such an open site....the martins will love that area. You still have a very good chance to get martins since the SYs are just starting to pour in here in South Texas....Best wishes for this martin season
Beautiful sight. I bet you'll have a ton of PMs and some monster bass. I could wear a chartreuse spinnerbaite out there. Lots of luck with your martins. I predict two houses full.
Looks like perfect habitat to me, I am sure you will get takers to this great spot. My only question is about the red houses, seems like they would be too hot...I would get a can of WHITE spray paint and do a quick job on them!!
All the best to you and your birds
Looks like a great spot. I am just down the road from you in Conway. It is definitely not too late. I got my first birds to visit exactly one year ago today. Good luck to you.
Greg
