I'm working the details regarding trying to attract Purple martins to a new location and have some questions regarding the dawn song.
Is it a real help for a new location? Is it worth the effort to put something together for the fist year at a new location, or is this something you would try after being unsuccessful?
I am thinking of putting one of those PA speakers on the pole pointing up, and run a CD player on some sort of timer with a mini amp. Basically duplicating a homemade e-calling system used typically for predator hunting.
How loud should something like this be played? Should I be concerned about what the neighbors may experience when I start pumping out bird sounds early in the morning?
Looking for some pointers and tips on the topic...
Dawn Song and Electronic caller set-up
Andy, I found the dawn song to be very effective in attracting new martins. I played it on our deck early each morning. Sometimes when the martins would come, they would dive bomb the cd player, then I would have to stop playing it. As far as neighbors are concerned, I never had any complaints. At least not to my face.
It really does work, and I would use it in trying to attract the martins the first year and thereafter.
Sue P
It really does work, and I would use it in trying to attract the martins the first year and thereafter.
Sue P
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Leandortree
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:10 pm
- Location: Saskatchewan/Grenfell
You don't really need the dawn song to attract PM's, I have never played it. Placing very good housing in a open place, and keeping other species' of birds out of it is the most important factors. PM's have very large eyes, indicating good sight, if the birds can see your housing and are looking for realestate they will check it out, if the housing and location are good you will soon have the start of a colony.
Playing the dawn song can't hurt either, but it will not keep the birds at your site like good housing. I don't think playing the martin song so loud that it would disturb your neighbors would help in any way. If you think it will help you in attracting purple martins try playing the dawn song in the dawn around 4:am-7:am and at a volume a colony male martin would sing it at, or at the volume the colony do the daytime chatter, it can't hurt and it might just do the trick!
Good luck in attracting a colony of Purple Martins this year
Playing the dawn song can't hurt either, but it will not keep the birds at your site like good housing. I don't think playing the martin song so loud that it would disturb your neighbors would help in any way. If you think it will help you in attracting purple martins try playing the dawn song in the dawn around 4:am-7:am and at a volume a colony male martin would sing it at, or at the volume the colony do the daytime chatter, it can't hurt and it might just do the trick!
Good luck in attracting a colony of Purple Martins this year
Saskatchewan "The land of living skies"
Leandortree colony
2012-46 pair 200+ Fledged
Leandortree colony
2012-46 pair 200+ Fledged