inadvertant trapping

[Little Swede]

I had my first visitor last Sunday 4/8/12 an adult male. Unfortunately I did not expect arrivals this early being that I still had my trap doors in the house for sparrows and he got caught and was trapped in the house for about 3 hours before I realized it.
I let him out and he did return on Monday evening and perched on top of the house for 5 minutes and left but now I have not seen him or any others for 6 days. Can anyone with more experience tell me if I scared him off for ever.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

How many pairs did you have last year? If you had martins last year, then he probably will return. It partly depends upon how much harassment the starlings and sparrows give the martins. If you are trying to start a new colony, then its best to control the scum birds. We are uncertain, but I think that early in the season, he may be staying with other martins, and then he will return when he gets some company at your place.

One thing for sure, you must have the house open for the martins to stay. I prefer to have an open house, and then I shoot and trap the sparrows and starlings before the martins arrive. The S&S come about 3 weeks before the martins arrive, so thats a good time to thin them out.

[Little Swede]

He returned yesterday and brought a bride with him. They spent the night so hopefully this is the year.

[Louise Chambers]

That's great that he returned, AND with a female. Your profile says T-14 and gourds; I wondered what kind of trap doors you're using? You can make a hole reducer to keep martins from getting caught, but it would be helpful to know what kind of trap you are using.

[Little Swede]

I have my fingers crossed they have spent the last three nights