I know it's late-- but will playing martin calls help lure martins to my new gourd setup? I just put them up a couple days ago and wanted to play the recordings hoping the martins that circle the neighborhood might be lured to my gourds.
Does it matter if I play dawnsong in the afternoon? I'm using the two calls that are posted on the pmca website playing through my laptop while I'm in the backyard.
David
question about martin recordings
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3789
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
I don't see a problem at all in playing it. Anything at all that will draw them to your site will help your odds next year. There are a lot of migrating HY's that will be looking for a place to live next year as SY's.
2026 HOSP 27
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
Good to hear. You never how wild animals can about things like that. Will try it out later. I need to time it a bit better-- like when they are circling over my house. They are usually pretty high, so hopefully there's enough range. I need better external speakers too.
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Bill Pec
- Posts: 545
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:21 am
- Location: Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, Virginia
- Martin Colony History: 2010- 2 pr. Fledged 6
2011- 20 pr. Fledged 75
2012- 35 pr. Fledged 143
2013- 37 pr. Fledged 153
2014- 40 pr. Fledged 198
2015- 40 pr. Fledged 183
2016- 42 pr. Fledged 189
2017- 42 pr. Fledged 168
2018- 43 pr. Fledged 172
2019- 43 pr. Fledged 193
2020 -44 pr. Fledged 181
2021 -43 pr. Fledged 184
2022 - 40 pr. Fledged 160
2023 - 39 pr. Fledged 151
2024 - 40 pr. Fledged 154
Desonya,
I strongly recommend that you play PM recordings when birds are fledging in your area or migrating through. Two weeks ago I posted on the Forum incouraging those trying to start a colony to play the recordings. I live in the southern part of Virginia and have been playing the Daytime Chatter CD for the past two weeks. In that time I have attracted several dozen birds to my setup and many have stayed. They are singing, picking out gourds and trying to attract mates as if it were the beginning of the breeding season, not the end. Playing the recordings has an advantage this time of year, particularly when you have no birds to attract passing martins to your site. The visiting martins are imprinting on my site and hopefully will return in the spring.
Bill Pec
I strongly recommend that you play PM recordings when birds are fledging in your area or migrating through. Two weeks ago I posted on the Forum incouraging those trying to start a colony to play the recordings. I live in the southern part of Virginia and have been playing the Daytime Chatter CD for the past two weeks. In that time I have attracted several dozen birds to my setup and many have stayed. They are singing, picking out gourds and trying to attract mates as if it were the beginning of the breeding season, not the end. Playing the recordings has an advantage this time of year, particularly when you have no birds to attract passing martins to your site. The visiting martins are imprinting on my site and hopefully will return in the spring.
Bill Pec
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tonyg
- Posts: 1520
- Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
- Location: Olpe, KS
- Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..
By all means play it. When I built my new home 6yrs ago and erected my martin housing I played it the first year and attracted 6 pair and now I have 49 pair..So if Martins are in he area and you have a good location with alot of open space i'm thinking your chances are good.. Tony
Bill & Desonya
When you came up with the idea of playing the PM CD'S during fledging. I told you about a friend of mine that put up a late house and had no martins. He had given up on attracting martins this year.
And was ready to take down his house for thr year.
I gave him my day time chatter and dawn song. He has been playing them with good results. He gets visitors every day sometimes they stay 5 minutes some have stayed 5 hours.
This is such a good idea. I still think they are going to update the archives-attraction techniques.
My friend thinks he has a good chance to have martins next year. All I need to do is get him to hang some gourds under that house. ha ha
Thanks to all Jerry
P.S. flyin lowe Here in Fayette county.
I think about 25 of my 33 babys have fledged. Nice to hear you are doing well also.
When you came up with the idea of playing the PM CD'S during fledging. I told you about a friend of mine that put up a late house and had no martins. He had given up on attracting martins this year.
And was ready to take down his house for thr year.
I gave him my day time chatter and dawn song. He has been playing them with good results. He gets visitors every day sometimes they stay 5 minutes some have stayed 5 hours.
This is such a good idea. I still think they are going to update the archives-attraction techniques.
My friend thinks he has a good chance to have martins next year. All I need to do is get him to hang some gourds under that house. ha ha
Thanks to all Jerry
P.S. flyin lowe Here in Fayette county.
I think about 25 of my 33 babys have fledged. Nice to hear you are doing well also.
Better to have a gun and not need it.
Than need one and don't have it.
Than need one and don't have it.
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Bill Pec
- Posts: 545
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:21 am
- Location: Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, Virginia
- Martin Colony History: 2010- 2 pr. Fledged 6
2011- 20 pr. Fledged 75
2012- 35 pr. Fledged 143
2013- 37 pr. Fledged 153
2014- 40 pr. Fledged 198
2015- 40 pr. Fledged 183
2016- 42 pr. Fledged 189
2017- 42 pr. Fledged 168
2018- 43 pr. Fledged 172
2019- 43 pr. Fledged 193
2020 -44 pr. Fledged 181
2021 -43 pr. Fledged 184
2022 - 40 pr. Fledged 160
2023 - 39 pr. Fledged 151
2024 - 40 pr. Fledged 154
jldoll,
I'm so happy your friend took the advice and started playing the recordings with success.
It makes so much sense to play the recordings late in the season to attract passing birds, particularly when you don't have resident birds. I don't understand why playing the PM recordings late in the season hasn't been stressed more in the past.
I actually stopped playing the recordings a few days ago because I have about twenty birds hanging around for about a week now. They are spending most of the day here and are doing a great job of calling others PMs in. I'm most surprised at the number of SY males that arrived, stayed and are now singing to females. I assumed wrongly when I thought that I would attract only fledgelings and migrants.
LRhines,
I have never heard of a set number of decoys to use. Maybe others will know. I use two decoys at each of my two houses. Watch the reaction of the birds coming in. Sometimes they are agitated by the decoys and will be aggressive and divebomb them. If that is the case remove the decoys. Other times they seem to care less about the presents of decoys. I like to keep decoys up and move them about as target practice for the local hawk.
Bill Pec
I'm so happy your friend took the advice and started playing the recordings with success.
It makes so much sense to play the recordings late in the season to attract passing birds, particularly when you don't have resident birds. I don't understand why playing the PM recordings late in the season hasn't been stressed more in the past.I actually stopped playing the recordings a few days ago because I have about twenty birds hanging around for about a week now. They are spending most of the day here and are doing a great job of calling others PMs in. I'm most surprised at the number of SY males that arrived, stayed and are now singing to females. I assumed wrongly when I thought that I would attract only fledgelings and migrants.
LRhines,
I have never heard of a set number of decoys to use. Maybe others will know. I use two decoys at each of my two houses. Watch the reaction of the birds coming in. Sometimes they are agitated by the decoys and will be aggressive and divebomb them. If that is the case remove the decoys. Other times they seem to care less about the presents of decoys. I like to keep decoys up and move them about as target practice for the local hawk.
Bill Pec
Thanks Bill, I started the chatter this morning because I read posts that birds in my area are starting to fledge, currently have four decoys on one house and none on another, will make adjustments. Also, have been reading Ivan Stoll's book and realized that I need to move my two houses closer together. I currently have one house in the front and one in the back. I am going to have both in the back within 15 feet of each other. Thanks again
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Bill Pec
- Posts: 545
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:21 am
- Location: Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, Virginia
- Martin Colony History: 2010- 2 pr. Fledged 6
2011- 20 pr. Fledged 75
2012- 35 pr. Fledged 143
2013- 37 pr. Fledged 153
2014- 40 pr. Fledged 198
2015- 40 pr. Fledged 183
2016- 42 pr. Fledged 189
2017- 42 pr. Fledged 168
2018- 43 pr. Fledged 172
2019- 43 pr. Fledged 193
2020 -44 pr. Fledged 181
2021 -43 pr. Fledged 184
2022 - 40 pr. Fledged 160
2023 - 39 pr. Fledged 151
2024 - 40 pr. Fledged 154
LRhines,
Glad to help. Hope playing the CD works as well for you as it did for me.
Is the location in the back of the house the more ideal location?
Enjoy the passion,
Bill
Glad to help. Hope playing the CD works as well for you as it did for me.
Is the location in the back of the house the more ideal location?
Enjoy the passion,
Bill
Bill, of the two sites the back gives me the greater space to place the two houses together, the front is pretty close to the road. Additionally, the visitors that I have had the last few years have shown a preference for the back house. Both sites are not ideal, with having tall trees that I cannot do anything about in the area. So here is another question, the house in the back is a northstar with troyer horizontal gourds with tunnels on a 16 ft. pole and the other house that I am going to move is a Buskas bungelow with 4 troyer horizontal gourds with tunnels. That house is on a 12 ft. pole. Because of the tall trees should I go for a longer pole?
Les
Les
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Bill Pec
- Posts: 545
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:21 am
- Location: Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, Virginia
- Martin Colony History: 2010- 2 pr. Fledged 6
2011- 20 pr. Fledged 75
2012- 35 pr. Fledged 143
2013- 37 pr. Fledged 153
2014- 40 pr. Fledged 198
2015- 40 pr. Fledged 183
2016- 42 pr. Fledged 189
2017- 42 pr. Fledged 168
2018- 43 pr. Fledged 172
2019- 43 pr. Fledged 193
2020 -44 pr. Fledged 181
2021 -43 pr. Fledged 184
2022 - 40 pr. Fledged 160
2023 - 39 pr. Fledged 151
2024 - 40 pr. Fledged 154
Les,
Twelve feet seems a little short particularly when you are putting it next to a 16 footer but one never knows. I've seen tall units next to shorter units and both were used by PMs. As you know, the most important factor is having a good location. Two foot pole extensions are sold to extend poles. Personally, I wouldn't go through the expense of purchasing a new pole unless the twelve footer attracts no birds, or you can't use a two foot extension or this is a convenient time to upgrade your pole. If you are getting a new pole don't get a round one. You probably already know that but I felt compelled to say it anyway.
They bend or break in strong winds. Also, when mounted on a round pole the housing unit can more easily change the directional orientation confusing the birds. If you have or are purchasing a metal pole the pole should be at "least" two inches square in diameter with a good pulley system. For your safety get a pulley with a brake clutch and if you haven't done so already, place a removable clamp or a bolt and wing nut on the poles. Place them higher than your head to prevent a falling unit from hitting you. Again, I hope I'm not insulting you if you are already familiar with these precautions.
Enjoy,
Bill
Twelve feet seems a little short particularly when you are putting it next to a 16 footer but one never knows. I've seen tall units next to shorter units and both were used by PMs. As you know, the most important factor is having a good location. Two foot pole extensions are sold to extend poles. Personally, I wouldn't go through the expense of purchasing a new pole unless the twelve footer attracts no birds, or you can't use a two foot extension or this is a convenient time to upgrade your pole. If you are getting a new pole don't get a round one. You probably already know that but I felt compelled to say it anyway.
They bend or break in strong winds. Also, when mounted on a round pole the housing unit can more easily change the directional orientation confusing the birds. If you have or are purchasing a metal pole the pole should be at "least" two inches square in diameter with a good pulley system. For your safety get a pulley with a brake clutch and if you haven't done so already, place a removable clamp or a bolt and wing nut on the poles. Place them higher than your head to prevent a falling unit from hitting you. Again, I hope I'm not insulting you if you are already familiar with these precautions.Enjoy,
Bill