Why Don't Visitors Come at Dawn?

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
Wetterdale
Posts: 74
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2011 12:04 pm
Location: Ontario/Puslinch
Martin Colony History: Trying

After four years of trying, I've seen quite a few visitors check out my site. I play both dawn song and chatter. We're all quite familiar with rationale behind playing the dawnsong early in the morning. So why have I never seen a visitor early in the day? They usually show between 11 am and 3 pm. And I do check in the mornings too!
Dale
2017-2021 visitors
2016 - nil
2015 - 2 visitors
2014 - 1 visitor
2013 - lots of visitors
2012 - 2 visitors
2011 - lots of visitors
2010 - 0

PMCA and OPMA Supporter
Top
GeneP
Posts: 525
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:35 am
Location: Kansas, Lawrence
Martin Colony History: 1 gourd rack with 24 gourd capacity. 2018, my 11th year hosting martins.
18 pair in 2017.

Good question. Maybe others have seen birds attracted during those early times playing the Dawnsong, I never did. Back when I was using the Dawnsong it was the same as you, 10:00 AM and later. I stopped playing it so early in the morning.

After my second year of having martins I stopped using the CD.
PMCA Member, Single Gourd Rack, 2019 marks 12 years hosting martins.
Top
Robbo
Posts: 624
Joined: Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:53 pm
Location: Leduc, Alberta, Canada.

They may be just visiting :grin:
2009. 98 eggs, 66 hatch, 61 fledged.
2010. 114 eggs, 89 hatch,70 fledged.
2011. 96 eggs. 80 hatch,68 fledged.Heavy Merlin preditation.
2012. 89 eggs. 56 hatch, good fledge. Guards installed. Merlin not sighted at houses.
2013. First Egg May 24, first Baby June 13.
2014. successful.
2015. successful.
2016. Martin's population decline, suspect new housing in the neighborhood. Merlin eating well also!
2017.Population explosion :grin: . first egg May 25 in a BO-11
2018. Population stable.
Top
~Ray~Gingerich
Posts: 2122
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
Location: Delaware/Dover

I haven't played the dawn song in years as it seems my martins do well on their own. Right now my martins start dawn singing at 4:30 AM, some stay right in the house but most I can hear off in the distance and up high. It's my belief that many new birds arrive very early in the pre dawn darknes and the reason they dawn sing so early.
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
Top
Doug Martin - PA
Posts: 1988
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.

The more interested they are in nesting the earlier they will be at your site.

A pair at dawn ... soon will spawn..... a pair midday.... is out to play.

Good luck to you.

Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
Top
Wetterdale
Posts: 74
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2011 12:04 pm
Location: Ontario/Puslinch
Martin Colony History: Trying

Thanks everyone. And especially you Doug. I will never forget that line!
Dale
2017-2021 visitors
2016 - nil
2015 - 2 visitors
2014 - 1 visitor
2013 - lots of visitors
2012 - 2 visitors
2011 - lots of visitors
2010 - 0

PMCA and OPMA Supporter
Top
phldave
Posts: 528
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:44 pm
Location: Iowa/Pleasant Hill
Martin Colony History: Started trying in 2012 and still trying

Doug Martin - Fombell Pa wrote:The more interested they are in nesting the earlier they will be at your site.

A pair at dawn ... soon will spawn..... a pair midday.... is out to play.

Good luck to you.

Doug
Hey Doug!

Is that your own quote or did some old timer share it with you? It's awsome.

Dave
2012 late start
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Purple Martin Forum”