New to the Forums, new to Martins.

[Russel Loire]

Hey all,
Loved Martins for a longtime but never had the means to attempt Landlordship.

Bought a Homemade 12 Hole house late 2012 with high hopes for the 2013 year. Got the House up May 7 after a fellow enthusiast told me some of his ASY's were back
My Habitat is not as ideal as i'd like as i am in the city, nor is my set-up, but it's all I've got to work with for the next year or 2.
Had 1 SY male inspector, but he didn't hang around for more than 20 minutes.
Had some HOSP's move in temporarily, but they seemed to have abandoned ship after a few near misses with the Pellet gun and Multiple nest removals.

Hoping my Dawnsong CD arrives soon, should help get me started.

Cheers
Russel Loire

[MamaBruff]

Hey good luck to you Russell! There are quite a few of us "wannabees" here, learning from the sages. Absorb all the information you can get your hands on, and keep working hard! May the PMs smile upon you and bring you happiness!
Mary

[chickadee]

welcome it is a good hobby to get into. find books and do research online. learn all you can about them. put some nesting stuff in the gourds smear mud on the porches. and most of all find a way to trap sparrows and starlings and dispatch them. please do not use round holes. do all you can and the in return will put a smile on your face and joy in your heart for many years to come. good luck to you.

[Russel Loire]

I've been a bird fanatic for most of my 33 years now. I'm no Expert, but i am certain we have no Starlings here in my City. I live in Saskatchewan, Regina Specifically. I have House Wrens, House Finches, Chickadees, Red Breasted Nuthatches, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. Common Flickers, Merlins, Robins, The odd Bluejay + many more species. Only Interest i've seen in the house thus far is the HOSP pair and my SY Visitor.

I'm at work 10-11 Hours a day, so i may have had more visitors, but haven't seen them. I saw a group of 4 Martins quite high up yesterday evening, but they were feeding it appeared and didn't come to inspect the house.

It's been so cool in the evenings here, not many big bugs out yet. Hoping i get some more lookers soon!

[Leandortree]

Hello Russel,
Welcome to the forum! I started my colony with a 12 room handmade house that had and still has round holes, all my housing has round holes, the martins don't mind. Starlings are not an issue at my colony so far. I put my first house up on may 23rd and had a pair the first day, that was just luck. English House Sparrows are a pain, I'm catching them most every day. I seen on May 21 you reported your SY Male! Anyways it's good to have you on board, and I wish you the best of luck with getting Martins this season.

[DebA]

Nice to make your forum aquaintance! With martins in your area I bet it is just a matter of time. This is my fifth year and I so enjoy these birds. I love all birds...no not S&S...but shhh, purple martins are my favorite. I tell them all the time.

When I had/have questions I loved the search feature here, or just ask!

Good luck.

Deb

[jr 2]

welcome too the forum;;if you have questions;just ask;someone will be able too help;;jr2

[Gobbler T]

Welcome Russel
Sounds like you could do well if you just put your house up this year and have had visitors with no dawnsong playing. must be ample martins in your area or a colony somewhere close. Good luck.

[Russel Loire]

Scanning backyards as I drive, i see plenty of housing that may have been intended for Martins, but trees have long overgrown the sites and no Martins appear present. This is my first nice day home in awhile, so i'm hoping to witness another fly-by today!