Quality time

Billy Stephens · Sat Apr 17, 2010 4:53 pm

I'm still trying, and I have had some visitors, but I was wondering, for those of you who have been successful and have colonies, do you get to enjoy them only early in the morning, and for a few minutes late in the evening, or is there times when you get to see them throughout the day? I know they feed during the day, but with the little experience I have with them, I only see them for a few short moments at a time. Billy

CraigMo. · Sat Apr 17, 2010 5:40 pm

depeding on what part of the season ,it changes. Right now at the beginning mine are here basically all day. They leave for short breaks. Right now if they leave a homeless martin might try to move in a occupied compartment and they don't want to lose their home. I always can see them in the morning most of the year and in the evening for that matter. I believe adding home made perches also helps keep them home longer but thats just my opinion. So basically here most of the time. At the end of the season they start leaving for a long time cause I think they have an urge to migrate back south. They will come back a couple of times a day I think to just check on their housing. Usually sleep here at night, then I think the males quit sleeping there at night then they basically leave all at once. Morning and evening is the most active time for me.

Billy Stephens · Sat Apr 17, 2010 6:08 pm

Thanks, Craig. Just a minute ago, I had one fly over, circle one time, then leave. Two days ago, I had four fly over, circle one time then leave. I have two racks with twelve gourds on each rack, Two decoys, and mirrors in four gourds. It seems they would atleast check out the decoys, unless I am not moving them around enough. But that seems to be the norm so far.

stan davison · Sat Apr 17, 2010 6:57 pm

I like it when they have young. I enjoy watching them swoop in with food. Some of the dragonfly are so large that they have trouble getting it in. It can be comical to watch. I believe that if a colony is without hawks the birds are much more relaxed and perch on the houses throughout the day.

CraigMo. · Sat Apr 17, 2010 7:07 pm

Billy, have you tried using the dawnsong? It sure brings them in for a look. I have started 2 colonies since 2003 and really believe this cd helped me.

Stan I too like them bringing in food for the babies. I also really like it when they come in in their jet fighter positions.

Billy Stephens · Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:22 am

[quote="CraigMo."]Billy, have you tried using the dawnsong? It sure brings them in for a look. I have started 2 colonies since 2003 and really believe this cd helped me.

I have been playing dawnsong all day. I turn it on around 4:30 AM and it goes off about 30 minutes before dark. Am I playing it too much?

CraigMo. · Sun Apr 18, 2010 9:56 am

I do not think you can play it to much. I used to play it all day too. If you get a martin then I would stop playing it. Good luck

Neil O · Sun Apr 18, 2010 2:22 pm

I think it depends on what stage they are at. When they first arrive, they can be seen in morning hours and just before sunset. Now that mine are nesting, they hang around most of the day.

Billy Stephens · Sun Apr 18, 2010 5:52 pm

Thanks everyone for the replies, I need all the help I can get. One thing I have noticed is that I haven't had any tree swallows this year. Last year I had a half dozen or so. They would always hang out on the fence in my front yard. I haven't seen them this year.