Will they return or is it too late
Last year I had 6 pair with 3 nest that had eggs into early June. With the drought high temps and a sparrow problem they abandoned the house. So far this year I've only seen one lone scout but he moved on that day. Should I leave the house up or take it down and wait until next year? My neighbors houses seem very well populated from what I've seen.
-
DornCounty
- Posts: 2169
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
- Location: Rural SE Kansas
- Martin Colony History: .
.
Trio-Jedi
IF they abandoned the house, mid last season I would be concerned.
Do you think it was just the heat and drought that caused it?
I would operate like I was trying to start a new colony. Which would mean you need to leave your house up for the rest of the season.
But I am a novice.
Do you think it was just the heat and drought that caused it?
I would operate like I was trying to start a new colony. Which would mean you need to leave your house up for the rest of the season.
But I am a novice.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
-
klcretired
- Posts: 2174
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 3:06 am
- Location: Grand Prairie,Tx
Please Always leave your housing up , open & Ready , The Martins need and welcome Our help. Several things that could happen and you could get martins suddenly
1. Martins will find your house and stay
2. Unwatched/unmanaged housing from other areas could be under attack from Predators and the wandering martins could find your house as a Safe Heaven.
3. Just be prepared anything can happen , Think Positive!!!
4.Hawks attacks can deter martins from their housing alot of times causing the martins to look for new housing/new area
5.Snake attacks cause martins to move on looking for new diggs
etc,etc,etc...so always be ready
1. Martins will find your house and stay
2. Unwatched/unmanaged housing from other areas could be under attack from Predators and the wandering martins could find your house as a Safe Heaven.
3. Just be prepared anything can happen , Think Positive!!!
4.Hawks attacks can deter martins from their housing alot of times causing the martins to look for new housing/new area
5.Snake attacks cause martins to move on looking for new diggs
etc,etc,etc...so always be ready
Pictures Taken with Canon Rebel XT Digital using a Sigma 50-500 Long Lens.
Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,
K.C.
[email protected]
Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,
K.C.
[email protected]
-
Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
It's way to early to think about taking down or closing housing for this year. March is traditionally a BIG migration month for martins, April will bring more too. Hang in there, keep it ready for them.
-
Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
The SY's have not arrived in full force in your area, yet. So don't take down the housing, please. You talk about eggs into early June. Do you know when they were laid, or more specifically - when did your first resident birds show up last year? If they were SY's last year or even young ASY's, they could still be in route right now and will show up later on.3wood wrote:Last year I had 6 pair with 3 nest that had eggs into early June. With the drought high temps and a sparrow problem they abandoned the house. So far this year I've only seen one lone scout but he moved on that day. Should I leave the house up or take it down and wait until next year? My neighbors houses seem very well populated from what I've seen.
If you lost your colony last season to HOSP, please try to get rid of the HOSP. This is difficult, but if you are dilligent you can succeed. The main thing to remember is "NEVER" let them raise their young in your PM housing. That just makes them more determined and harder to get rid of.
I think it is way too early for you to be considering throwing in the towel. You could still have returning Purple Martins that have plenty of time to show up.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
-
Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
They most likely will not return since they abandoned your house. The most logical reason that the martins abandoned your house is because of predators (sparrows, starlings, snakes, owls, etc). My first guess is a snake if you do not have a predator guard on your pole.
However, lets hope that some will return. Maybe they abandoned your house because the babies fledged and they went to a nearby roost. At any rate, keep your house up for at least 2 more months, and I hope that you get some...good luck
However, lets hope that some will return. Maybe they abandoned your house because the babies fledged and they went to a nearby roost. At any rate, keep your house up for at least 2 more months, and I hope that you get some...good luck
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Forgot to mention I had several hawk attacks with one bird found on the ground with a talon hole ripped into him. I quickly took him to Rogers bird rehab in Hutchins Texas. I can't say enough about Penny Casey and her dedication. She took the bird home with her and worked and worked to bring him back it took all summer but finally she took him to the gigantic roost in Dallas and released him fully recovered. For anyone with an injured bird around north Texas Rogers rehab and Penny should be your destination.
Forgot to mention I had several hawk attacks with one bird found on the ground with a talon hole ripped into him. I quickly took him to Rogers bird rehab in Hutchins Texas. I can't say enough about Penny Casey and her dedication. She took the bird home with her and worked and worked to bring him back it took all summer but finally she took him to the gigantic roost in Dallas and released him fully recovered. For anyone with an injured bird around north Texas Rogers rehab and Penny should be your destination.