Morning song and cd players

David Brunworth · Sat Jun 28, 2014 1:22 pm

I am trying to attract martins to a new house. Martins are in the area(1 mile or so). I have a CD of the Morning song and played it on a disc player, but I cant get it to start with a timer on it. It seems like I have to push the play button when it comes on. I don't want to get up each AM at 4:30 to start it. Is there a trick to get the cd player to use a timer and not have to hit play each morning? I realize I'm to late for this season, but will try again next year.
David B

Courtney-NC · Sun Jun 29, 2014 7:52 pm

Hi David, welcome to the forum!
I think most folks that do it like that probably use small cd player alarm clocks, not the cd/radio players with larger speakers.
When I was first trying to attract martins, I did it like you are doing, but now I use the Automated Tasks function on my laptop. I set it to play Dawnsong at the desired time, and then the headphones jack is plugged into a stereo, wired to an outdoor speaker which points to the sky. There is an older post or article in the archives somewhere that explains how to do that, if you want to go that route instead.
Good luck and hang in there - sometimes it takes years to get a colony established, but some folks get them the first season. You never know.

cary-nw-fla · Mon Jun 30, 2014 9:54 pm

I used a cd boom box, set the cd to constant repeat, plugged in a set of computer speakers to the headphone output. The computer speakers were ac powered, so I put them on the timer to come on then shut off for the time I wanted. Good luck.

taxidermy lady · Tue Jul 01, 2014 5:47 am

Yeah David, I was always getting up to turn mine on. I had an ol' stereo in garage and the programming didn't work. This is my second year playing dawnsong, no nesters yet. I am not playing nothing next year. Going to just let it happen! MY CHOICE! You just starting is good to play it so they get to know where you are.

It is never to late to start! I hear if you build it they will come! (SOMEDAY)!

barry resvick · Tue Jul 01, 2014 9:02 am

Hey David!
I had that problem as well as having the cd start to skip after a certain amount of use.My player is a JVC boom box with a thumb drive slot as well as the cd player so i just downloaded the cd onot the thumb drive which eliminated the skip problem as well as allowing me to use a wall timer to activate it. GOOD LUCK

Mitch Booth · Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:53 pm

Taxidermy Lady,

Yes, I'm also not going to play the Dawnsong at all next spring. I'm also removing all my decoys and mirrors. I know each spring when I play the Dawnsong non-stop I have Cooper hawks every where and this year watched them snatch a baby Robin that fell out of the nest. I'm sure the constant PM vocalization draws them to my site.

I have wood ducks, tree swallows, blue birds and chickadees all using nesting boxes that I have put up. I've never played any vocalization whatsoever!! I've been told by many to remove the decoys, remove the mirrors, quit playing Dawnsong and I'm in the process of switching ALL crescent SREH to Conley II entrances with tunnels. I know of a few different landlords using them and the birds do not struggle entering the cavities.

During the month of August I'm going to experiment with the Dawnsong off and on being that I'm about a mile away from a roost. But next spring I'm eliminating all the mirrors, decoys and most certainly the Dawnsong. Yes it will bring them in but I've heard from several people that the birds sense something is not right and fly right off.

Mitch

klcretired · Wed Jul 02, 2014 2:13 pm

Hi Everyone,
To Play Or Not to Play....decoys or no decoys?? These are the Questions!!!!
I can tell you from several Decades of My Hosting of Martins , even if you don't play anything just as soon as your Martins arrive so will the Hawks, Why?? well I can tell you why, Because the Martins are so "Loud & Vocal" so here come the Predators and all that entails. I have done it both ways to see if one way matters over the Other and it doesn't , in fact it is my Belief thru my own experience of playing the dawn song/daytime chatter that playing the Dawn song and Having up a lot of Decoys actually Help in the fact that when the hawks come and hit the plastic decoys rather than a good warm meal , they come by to attack less often, also because you are playing the dawn song repeatedly when your martins actually do arrive the hawks will think it's the dawn song playing and associate it with the plastic decoys.
Now this is just my experiences at my Colony not to say what will happen to other pm land lords thru out the U.S & Canada

taxidermy lady · Wed Jul 02, 2014 2:59 pm

I played the Dawnsong every morning, played daytime chatter throughout the day, and had my decoys out. Until my ASY male came! I shut it off and haven't played it until June 26th! I haven't attracted a hawk or martin! Darn the bad luck!

So I shut it all off and let nature take it's course. They'll come some day!

Done trying to hard! The only thing I will try hard with is shooting S&S !

Jose Rodriguez · Wed Jul 02, 2014 6:57 pm

I agree with K.C. They are loud and attract a lot of attention! The babies are the worst! Lol. I've used both the Dawn Song but attracted our first pair with the Chatter! I will say this, we had too many big trees in our area. As soon as the trees started dying, I cut them up and had more open space.

Good luck everyone!

Mitch Booth · Wed Jul 02, 2014 9:35 pm

KC,

I agree completely with the decoys!! The Dawnsong certainly brings them in to look but no nesters!!! What is frustrating is that I had an SY pair fledge two HY last year but nothing this year.

I'm going to put up some natural gourds before the roost starts. I just am at my wits end with these birds! I'm not sure whether to play or not to play the Dawmsong.... I have water and wide open flyways not to mention a successful pair last year so just sure why I can't seem to get a colony started.

Mitch

klcretired · Thu Jul 03, 2014 6:52 am

Sharon ,
Don't Give up....Hang in there and always be prepared!!!!
They (The Martins) will come when you least expect it so just be ready
If PM Land Lords all around you are not Taking care of their colonies and for whatever reason (predators, etc,etc,etc) I have seen the martins move completely from one site to another, Persistance pays off.

Jose Rodriguez,
Yes Jose The babies are loud beggin for food and staying at the entrances very vocal makes them an easy target for the Hawks/Crows, etc,etc.
That is why it is so important we monitor our colonies and stay on top of things.

Mitch ,
Both the Decoys and Playing the Dawnsong/Daytime chatter Have been debated many many many times here on the Forum, a lot of pro's & Con's coming for all the Land Lords. IMO and from my own experiences I personally am a Firm Believer that the Decoys have saved a lot of Martin Lives for me here at my Location and as for the Dawnsong I will always play it just because I believe it keeps the Hawks off Guard, especially when my martins are gone for the season, I also keep up Dove Decoys, see my Previous Post w/ Pictures Below

http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 983#224983

tp://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 094#226094

http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 314#226314

http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 983#224983

I wish Everyone The Best of Luck and a Better 2015 Season
Lets all talk, Brain storm and exchange Idea's to Protect Our Martins

taxidermy lady · Thu Jul 03, 2014 8:03 am

K.C.
I will not give up! I want it.

I think what you have there is a good idea! I think everyone should try to protect the martins they have. Human presence is best with guards. I'm glad I work by my site! May have to try to add some mojo to those martin decoys