Deserted in Dallas…Need Advice

[RTDallas]

Hi All,

Just a brief introduction. When I was in High School (2001-2005) in dense suburbia north Dallas, I had an increasing population and successful PM colony started in my parents backyard for four years. At its peak, when I went off to college, I had 8 nesting pair in the exact same set up seen in this photo. Fast forward 8 years later and I am back in Dallas pursuing grad school and in those 8 years the colony was reduced to nothing, overgrown in vines from the fence and just in really bad shape. The required space for flyways and openness on all sides of the housing is the exact same from the original setup years ago.

Over this winter, I totally cleaned it out, removed the vines, and due to a little encroachment from the tree on the right, I recently decided to move the house ten feet to the left (towards the house with the dish) where you see the house now. Its location before placed it even with the red brick chimney you see in the photo. Behind those houses in the background is a massive 9 acre man-made lake that I could always spot the martins and other colony's martins in the sky above. This year however, despite it being March 23, I have not even seen martins in the sky at all around here, much less attracted any to my revamped housing. Can anyone offer any explanations. I don't even see any with which to play dawn song from the speakers which I have all set up and ready to go. Similarly, the colonies around me are deserted as well. Is it possible my setup is too close to my neighbors roof? Should I move it back towards the tree? The house was attracting martins even when the tree was very close to it a few years back, I thought moving it would help. Any explanation would be very helpful.

Please see photo enclosed.

Best,

RT

[Siberman]

I'm not an expert but let me encourage you .
In my area at least it appears that migration is really slow this year . My site isn't established but I know several that are on Lake Bob Sandlin . I was out there this weekend and ( although these are well-maintained sites ) the population just isn't there so far this year . I counted 12 adult Martins where I usually see upwards to 100 .

Keep the faith .

[RTDallas]

Thanks guys, appreciate the quick feedback! Would love to hear about other Texans, are your populations at normal right now? I am wondering if its worth moving back to the original location. Thoughts?

Thanks again

[lgradyh]

I agree with Siberman. Here in Ky we normally have a few by the last week in Feb. or first of March. This year my first scout came about Mar 18 or so. Hopefully they will come soon. I have used recorded calls as well, and I think one or two years it did help when I have moved to a problem area. Could not prove that however. Don't give up hope. GOOD LUCK>

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

If you lose the martins, then don't expect them to come back, as they usually avoid that place. You are starting over from scratch, so you must do what others do such as putting the house in an open place. Your site does look substandard, its so crowded, but it should be adequate for you to attract a couple pair, maybe not this year, but maybe in future years.

I would not suggest that you move the pole, it looks ok. And the martins may be a couple weeks late this year, every year is different, different times that they return. Since you are starting from scratch, you need more patience, your tree is larger, etc. but good luck, and hope you get some.

[lgradyh]

RTD -- after viewing your photo, if the pole is connected to the "drip line" of the roof, that seems to close to the roof, IMO. Could it be moved out towards the 'viewer' to the wooden fence and attached to it? Seems that would make it further from the house as well as the tree. Just a thought.

[birdy girl]

RT
Is that your tree or someone else's tree? If yours, cut or trim back the tree. If someone else's tree, ask if you can trim or if they would let you cut it. Putting housing by the lake is a great idea. Otherwise, you can try to attract martins just the way you have it set up and maybe it will happen. Could you put house in front yard? HOA rules may not allow. If you move in future, add open site for attracting martins to your must have list:)

[RTDallas]

BirdyGirl and LGrady,

Thanks y'all! The pole is connected to the wooden fence. Also, I know you can't deal by the perspective of the photo but there is a good 40-50 yards of lawn/grass in the direction the house is facing, you just can't see it all because I took it close up. Similarly the red house behind it is at least 30 yards away. The tree in the right of the photo wasn't much bigger at the time when I had 8 nesting pair. Just some added info concerning the openness of the site which I thought would be helpful.

Thanks again!

RT

[lgradyh]

RTD -- hang in there; don't panic yet! It's still early. I'm dealing with my new "improved" Snyder SREH holes, which my returning PMs are not getting used to going in, very well. I'm trying to wait it out, others tell me that they will adapt to the smaller holes -- sure hope so!!!! Good Luck.

[M.Stephens]

If snakes got your martins they probably won't be back......Do you have any predator guards on that pole?

[RickLe]

RT
I'm down on Lake Buchanan, 45 miles northwest of Austin and I have yet to see the martins this year. Hang in there! I'm about to go on a sparrow tear however! They are everywhere-in past years they've shared the housing but this year I'm trying to eliminate the competition!

[klcretired]

Hi RT ,
Just be patient they will come , do you offer any decoys?? they help attract any PM's in your area, also playing the dawnsong helps to they both work, sometimes their are passing martins that you don't see so keep playin the dawnsong, My neighbor s have tree's that are encroaching my property and my pm housing & gourd Rack are close to my house that I live in and I still get martins, don't give up be ready at all times because I have seen martins abandon other Housing because of predators & other problems so you may get some ones martins looking for housing. just get rid of any trash Beaks (sparrows & Starlings) stay on top of that.

RickLe, Good for you Shoot(if you can) trap and do whatever you can to rid yourself of those Trash Beaks...your martins will love you for it!!!

[4th Gen Martin Fan]

RT,
I know that my question is not pertinent to your topic, but what kind of house is that? I do not recognize it.
I wish you good luck in your new colony. No need to move the pole. Everyone will agree that a good predator guard is important.
I suspect that a snake or other predator devastated the previous colony that you had established there.
The martins are running late. There is still plenty of time yet this season.
Good luck.
Mark.

[apundt-TX]

Hang in there.
Everything around here seems to be about 2 weeks behind schedule.
I only have 3 of the 8 martins back that I had last year.
Pu on a decoy. leaves or something in the nests to make it look used.
Maybe even muddy up the entrances some.

[La Grange Larry]

In La Grange Tx I had one breading pair last year with 4 fledglings.
This year I had one pair show up about 9 days ago. They inspected the 6 unit house and also some gourds that I put up new this year. The male entered three of the gourds which had pine straw in them. After several minutes they both left and I haven't seen any PM's since. My neighbors have
not seen any either. However approximately 8 miles away there is a large
colony in residence. I guess there will be more show up pretty soon Still fighting to keep the sparrows away.

[Anthony Neira]

O.k , I'll get this part over with real quick, I'm kinda worried and happy because I've never had so many birds before like I do this year! (in San Antonio). Sorry folks, I'm wondering if it has to do with all the extra cold up north? And is this a sign of an extra hot summer? But, none of my birds have started to build nest. Are they going to fly away north, as soon as it gets warmer?(half jokeing). But, RT, You might want to invest in at least 2 pm decoys just for the heck of it...and nevermind any cows...