No tree swallows, no martins?
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wastrox
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:16 am
- Location: VA/Great Falls
- Martin Colony History: A new purple martin wannabe landlord, I took over management of long neglected colonies at two public golf courses Spring of 2015. I had 20 nesting pairs at Algonkian Golf Course and 15 at Brambleton.
This will be my first year trying to attract martins. I don't believe I've ever seen a tree swallow on my property. Does that mean I'm not likely to attract martins or do the tree swallows only come around when there is housing available?
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jr 2
- Posts: 749
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:20 pm
- Location: ohio,proctorville(just across ohio river from huntington,west virginia)
welcome too the forum and wishing you luck;;tree swallows will try too nest in martin houses too;;;jr2
PMCA member; s 2011 2 pair fledged 3; 2012 3 asy pair,4 sy pair,2013 8 asy pair,6 sy pair;2014 19 asy pair,2 sy pair
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Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
2026- no pairs. One daily SYM here daily. Named him Riggs!
I dont think it is necessary to have tree swallows in order to have martins. In fact, you may be better off without them. If they claim a cavity in your PM house, they will defend their territory and drive the martins off. ( from what i have read) Read other posts on here about TS and offer some housing away from the PM house. I just built two TS/BB boxes because my son said he saw our first TS yesterday.
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.