Northwest Arkansas Martins

[mvandyke]

I have been trying to get Martins in Pea Ridge,Arkansas for 3 years....no luck. My neighbor has a colony of about 50 at about 100 yards and they fly over and look around, but don't stay. My question is....am I running out of time?
Mike

[Chuck4]

You have some serious competition with your neighbor being so close and so large. That colony is a magnet for any other martins. He will have to be at full capacity for any to move to your site. You still have some time though.

[mvandyke]

Thanks for the reply. I hope he will share his birds and not put up any more houses. I am i trouble though , he has a huge complex.

[John Miller]

Martins will always tend to fill favored sites first and hang with the crowd, but I suspect a few are just a little different and will always go off poking around. no wait, that's me..but martins too. You will have to maximize your site: as open as you can and maybe a variety of housing, such as a house and gourds, or a substantial gourd rack may do it.

the subs are really active here in the St. Louis area now. I have two hopeful mentees who have called or emailed in recent days that they are getting visitors, but like you have been trying for seveal years. Still..they've got hope.

Would think in Arkansas that sub adults would be still be searching for homes through May as well.

John M

[mvandyke]

I appreciate your help. I have an open location,i have gourds and a house modified to larger compatments, i play Dawn Song, mud around the openings, pine straw to nest, water about 100 yds.
I hope they recognize I am trying!!

Thanks again,
Mike

[phldave]

Hey Mike,

I'm with you, I've done everything you mentioned, plus fake eggs and green leaves in three compartments. May do mirrors next. Hope something happens yet this week, I'm on vacation and have been keeping a close eye on everything.

Dave

[mvandyke]

I have not tried eggs, leaves or mirrors. Man...this Martin business is getting to be like a Scifi movie!! I will try anything!!!