Tree swallow arrival / Purple Martin arrival

D Little · Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:50 am

I have seen several posts on here from people who say they see their martins return pretty reliably a given number of days after they see tree swallows return in their area. I was wondering if anyone else on here has noticed this coincidence with their colony?

I got tree swallows back this Tuesday so I was just wondering.

Donnie

kborder · Thu Mar 19, 2015 2:38 pm

yes, my martins are usually about a week behind our tree swallows and I've not seen the TRES yet. I'm happy that ours haven't returned yet, as we have temps forecasted again next week in the 40's for highs.

jogl · Thu Mar 19, 2015 4:02 pm

Same here, tree swallows are usually a week (+/- a few days) ahead of martins and barnies (we love our barnies too).

First robins and killdeers were last week, first turkey vultures today, so we expect tree swallows next week and martins the following.

D Little · Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:32 am

I know the swallows arrive each year first because I have trouble with them trying to stake out a gourd in my rack prior to the martins getting back and they are persistant little rascals. I never really paid attention to how much earlier they arrived though...thanks for you all's input.

Donnie

pmlover · Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:55 am

I keep wanting the trees sparrows and pms to wait a couple more weeks
I have 240 body and hand warmers waiting for them plus 2000 crickets

Bill Pec · Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:55 am

D Little

That has been the case the five previous years. The TSs returned about ten days before the PMs returned. This year that pattern did not hold true. A male ASY martin arrived two days before the TSs. Go figure?
Enjoy,

Bill

Mitch Booth · Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:58 pm

Pmlover,

I was just curious if you could tell me how you went from 3 pair in 2012 to 70 pair in 2013? I've been struggling to get martins. I had one pair in 2013 that successfully fledged young and no pairs last year. I'm going to give it one more shot this year and see what happens. I've done everything but roll out the red carpet but nothing. This may be my last year at really trying to attract them.

Mitch

birdbrat · Sun Mar 22, 2015 4:45 pm

Donnie, There was a time a few years back that I would have agreed that the Tree Swallows came first. However the last couple years they came after the martins at my site. By about 2 to 5 days. And Mitch, there was a time that I was a nail biter, wondering when and if the martins would arrive, and if I was doing everything right. I think that holds true to most of us. However, sometimes the best you can do is to just sit back and let it happen. If you do you will find it more enjoyable. Just keep the sparrows and starlings under control and enjoy everything else around you while you wait.

dojoson41 · Thu Mar 26, 2015 5:35 am

Hi, new here. I have no Purple Martins yet but Tree swallows so I am setting up the gourds for the swallows this year to see if they will use them and hopefully they leave my 2 Bluebirds houses alone. The swallows come about 2-3 weeks after the Bluebirds pick a house. Also thinking about getting protectors for the gourds against owls which I have aplenty.

John Evans · Thu Mar 26, 2015 9:14 am

For the past 3 years it seems the tree swallows arrive a few days to a week first. This year was no different. Tree Swallows here were about 2 days before the first martin arrived. I have gourds for them. Usually get 2 or 3 pair to nest. I put limited martin gourds up for a few weeks hoping to help discourage them from nesting in the gourd racks. Mine can get very aggressive trying to run martins out.
Still not seeing much in the way of martins. I hope the cold has slowed them down..