This is my fourth year of trying to attract Martins. Last year I had my very first visitor on June 1st, he visited every day for about two weeks or a little longer, I guess he was unable to attract a mate and he eventually stopped coming by.
This year my first visitor showed up on May 16th., a little ahead of last year. I had a pretty steady stream of visitors from the 16th. up until almost the end of the month, then they just seemed to stop coming by.
I know in this area they say you can attract nesting Martins up until the end of June so it has kind of surprised me that the activity at my site has all but stopped. I am blasting the Dawn Song every day.
I have had a problem with a pair of TS (?), chasing some of the visitors away, but could this account for all of them stopping their visits?
Thanks in advance.
Hanover Bill.
Where Have All My Visitors Gone?
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Hanover Bill
- Posts: 657
- Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 3:10 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania/Hanover Township
- Martin Colony History: 2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
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BIOteacher012
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2012 3:19 pm
- Location: Wisconsin/Montello
My thoughts.......the TS problem needs to be corrected, even if you can get them into a gourd on a shepard's hook. By now, the TS problems should be close to coming to an end. Next, try changing things up a little. For example, start playing the Daytime Chatter CD during the day instead of Dawnsong. Play the Dawnsong between 4-6 am instead of during the day. Use some decoys if you aren't already. Switch some gourds around or put some new styles in there. Sometimes, a few minor switches can regenerate their interest.
Just my thoughts, for what it's worth. I tried these things, and now have one SY pair for sure and a second SY male that is currently bringing in a mate.
Good Luck!!
Just my thoughts, for what it's worth. I tried these things, and now have one SY pair for sure and a second SY male that is currently bringing in a mate.
Good Luck!!
BrianT
2017 38 nesting pairs, 181 fledged
2016 22 nesting pairs, 113 fledged
2015 20 nesting pairs, 91 fledged
2014 10 nesting pairs, 49 fledged
2013 4 nesting pairs, 15 fledged
2012 Lots of lookers but no nesters
2017 38 nesting pairs, 181 fledged
2016 22 nesting pairs, 113 fledged
2015 20 nesting pairs, 91 fledged
2014 10 nesting pairs, 49 fledged
2013 4 nesting pairs, 15 fledged
2012 Lots of lookers but no nesters
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ToyinPA
- Posts: 2227
- Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
- Location: PA/Avis
- Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.
Bill:
I get visitors who stop for a day or so before they push further north. This starts in March & continues into June. I also get some stopping by on their way back south.
Could be they have started to see your site as a stop over. One day some will decide to stay. Don't give up.
Make sure you make your house looks used. Smear some mud around the openings, add pine needles, dried leaves, a few twigs. If you don't have a perching area a few feet from your house set one up. They seem to like to sit at a distance & watch things.
Toy in PA
I get visitors who stop for a day or so before they push further north. This starts in March & continues into June. I also get some stopping by on their way back south.
Could be they have started to see your site as a stop over. One day some will decide to stay. Don't give up.
Make sure you make your house looks used. Smear some mud around the openings, add pine needles, dried leaves, a few twigs. If you don't have a perching area a few feet from your house set one up. They seem to like to sit at a distance & watch things.
Toy in PA
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Hanover Bill
- Posts: 657
- Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 3:10 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania/Hanover Township
- Martin Colony History: 2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
Bioteacher; Thanks for the advice, I am trying everything I can think of.
Toy; Thanks for the encouraging words. I am going to put up a perching
wire from my housing to a perch I recently put up. Still hoping for
this year.
Hanover Bill.
Toy; Thanks for the encouraging words. I am going to put up a perching
wire from my housing to a perch I recently put up. Still hoping for
this year.
Hanover Bill.
2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
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Dover Denny
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Fri May 27, 2005 9:06 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania/Dover
Bill
I have a subbie male coming every day for about three weeks now and he just can't seam to attract a mate. When he see's the tree swallows flying around getting food for their baby's he thinks their martins and he really gets loud with his chirping and goes in his gourd. I think that is what is keeping him around. Now tonight I did see what might have been a female fly around my gourd line.
There are two other colonies around me. I think they are probbley from there.
Every year they put more housing up which makes it harder to attract them here. (Martin Hogs)!
I have a subbie male coming every day for about three weeks now and he just can't seam to attract a mate. When he see's the tree swallows flying around getting food for their baby's he thinks their martins and he really gets loud with his chirping and goes in his gourd. I think that is what is keeping him around. Now tonight I did see what might have been a female fly around my gourd line.
There are two other colonies around me. I think they are probbley from there.
Every year they put more housing up which makes it harder to attract them here. (Martin Hogs)!