Did celebration scare my Martin's returning?

[joyjazz]

Our small southern MN town, Ceylon, pop 350 had a Community Day celebration with 2000 people attending, it was on Apr 11, usually right about when my Martin's arrive. I'm located right on main street, so lots of cars and machinery, since it's a machinery auction.

I also have my starling resistant entrances covered this year with sections of green (plastic noodle sections- what kids play with in the pool) it works really well and doesn't blow out in the wind.

Would either of the above two things cause the Martin's to delay in coming? I have 3 wooden houses with 10 nests each, usually I start with about 5 pairs of Martins. It's a well established site for over 50 years.

Would appreciate any insight, thank you in advance. If I don't start seeing them soon, I will start uncovering the holes a few at a time. Martins have been sighted just 18 miles northeast of us.

Joyce in MN

[rrmartins]

One day of a little noise won't scare them off. Have you opened any cavities yet, or are they still plugged? How many pair did you have last year?

[Dave Duit]

Hi Joy,
I see no troubles for you and the martins should be fine at your location.

[joyjazz]

One day of a little noise won't scare them off. Have you opened any cavities yet, or are they still plugged? How many pair did you have last year?

I start each year with about the same number around 11-12 martins, I cannot do next checks, I'm unable to lower my houses and I'm unable to climb much. But on the long wire in front of the houses, I had about 28 by 2nd week in August.

[Vern1]

The first few arrived here right on time, then the weather turned to pure crud.
Then there was a few weeks where the birds just kinda went into hold.

That being said, they seem to be about two weeks late arriving in most places further North.

[joyjazz]

One day of a little noise won't scare them off. Have you opened any cavities yet, or are they still plugged? How many pair did you have last year?

I start each year with about the same number around 11-12 martins, I cannot do next checks, I'm unable to lower my houses and I'm unable to climb much. But on the long wire in front of the houses, I had about 28 by 2nd week in August.

Yesterday 4/16, I did open up a couple of openings, of course the sparrows are already visiting the space. My brother-in-law who lives on the other side of town has not seen his yet either. I believe they have come some years as late as the 20th, but not usually.

[joyjazz]

One Martin arrived this afternoon, looking a little crumpled, as they sometimes do from their long trip, so hopefully the rest of the batch will arrive soon.