My season is truely over

[James Strickland FL]

After looking at the migration map I can truely say that my season is over. I did not get any nesting martins. Now the planning stage will begin for me. I will have an all new set-up for next year. They did not like this years set-up so I will do sometthing different. It sad to see them not coming, but maybe next year.
Thanks to everyone that help this year and for all of your suggestions. I hope that everyone has a great season and produce alot of babies. I hope to talk to everyone again soon. Have fun and enjoy your birds.

[Julio]

James i am 100% sure that there is nothing wrong with your site and especially your housing. You have predator guards some round holes a nice open waterside site and a variety of housing. All these factors are key for subbies and house hunting martins. The problem i see in your case is population density, people around your area don't care for martins and few if any houses are up near you. But you have had a few touchdowns so that tells me that some small numbers are around. All i can tell you is keep trying James, don't give up add a small Heath castle on the periphery of your yard, i see a ton of these houses around west Broward and they have quite a number of birds. And as you may know west Broward is swamped with martins, i see them everywhere i go around here even flying above parking lots.

[bwenger]

Hi James,

I know what you're going through, and it is rough. This will be my fifth year trying, but my season is just beginning. Who of us humans can explain why martins pick a dilapidated house down the street or across town, versus a nice new house with all of the amenities.

The key to all of this is that you have done all that you can to lure them in, and the rest is up to them.

All we can say is to keep trying, and who knows, you have a storm this coming week and it blows over someones old house, and all of a sudden, you have 3-4 pairs of birds.

Never give up.

Bill

[James Strickland FL]

bwenger your are correct. As far as given up, not on your life. I will do something different next time and will continue until I get them.

[Joe Creason KY]

Hi James:

Never give up man and I mean NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I tried for 20 years and now in the last 5 years became a landlord. I have around 70 or so birds now and just got a pair of subbies yesterday.

Location, location, location I think is the real challenge. Maybe trying a small bit of movement to some of your housing or gourd rack, whichever might help.

I have read your post on here several times and truly believe you would make a great MARTIN landlord. I am sure you have the decoys and play the dawnsong, I think this helps as well when trying to start out.

Good Luck and I think your dream will come to pass.

Hopefully:-)

Joe

[Guest]

James, I am sorry to hear this, but I may be in the same boat with you again this year, so we will row it together.
It may not make you feel any better, but I feel your sorrow.

Julio may have a good point on a lack of support in your vicinity. I am starting to believe that is part of the problem here. Lots of old diapidated housing full of sparrows and starlings, and I only know of one martin landlord in my immediate area who controls the pests.

So, hang in there and know that there's a gal in Texas who is going through it with you. There's always next year.

[Bob Rogers]

James,
I have spent a little time in Florida and several other sourthern states. I naturally sought out PM colonies as the south has some of the biggest colonies going. I noted that southern colonies use a high percentage of natural gourds and with good success. I believe some natural gourds and some man made housing, would give you the best of both worlds for attracting PM's. Many folks up north would "flip" for the worst southern site. Keep trying & Good Luck!

[The Olsons]

James,

I am also sorry to hear that the martins visiting you did not return I have seen pictures of your colony and agree with Julio that there is nothing wrong with your site and your set up. It is perfect But if you think you should do some changes, then that is what you need to do. Always follow your instinct.....

We have an odd year at our site as well....after having a growing colony every year, this season our numbers are down because the big arrival of SYs never happened. Some migrated through, but nothing like the previous years.

Our ratio is usually 2/3 ASYs and 1/3 SYs. Some landlords think it is because so many babies died last year due to not enough insects available for feeding.

Best wishes and please do not think that there is something wrong with your site/set up.

Astrid

[birdy girl]

James,
I am so sorry none of the martins stayed at your site. Just keep trying and it will happen. Your site looks great. Staying busy making changes to your site will keep you busy and focused on getting martins. Someone in a previous post mentioned natural gourds. Are you using any natural gourds? If not, you might try a few of those next year. Maybe some of the new hatches from this year will come check out your site and return next year.

[Guest]

steve, just want to say sorry about lack of martins in your area again your not alone I too do not see many in my area. I been playing the dawnsong since the first week in April and saw one that came in close to investigate and moved on and the other one was just a fly over.
I learned in the last three years on how to attract martins the correct way from this site. Still have nothing to show for, and yet been doing this martin thing for 14 yrs all the wrong way.
I don't know of anyone in close range of me who do have martins so it's like a desert around me of no birds. So trying to attract them is very hard but they tell me don't' give up. I will continue to play the cd, decoy, mud smears etc::: What else can I do nothing sit and wait and maybe someday it will happen..
So I say to you think of me too when you get down I'm at your side like so many others who don't have nothing to show for and yet we are doing every correct...

[James Strickland FL]

Thanks everyone for you encouragement and support. I will be trying again next year. I have had martins nesting here once before and I will have them again. I do have natual gourds, super gourds and troyer gourds and different houses up. I offer them everythings I can put up as choices. I'm not sure of what I will do as a set-up next year but I will try something. I like others that have done everything right and can not get martins and some who put up bad houses and don't care for them and get martins, these birds are so fun in there choices.