I joined the forums several years ago after I was unsuccessful in starting a colony, unfortunately it never took off because of the dang HOSP situation. I did manage to take out a bunch of them though, so that was good at least!
Anyway, fast forward to 2016, my wife and I have moved further out into the country, and *knock on wood* I don't really ever see any HOSP out here. In early February, I bought 4 of the PMCA plastic gourds (similar to the SuperGourd) and a pole, got them set up and began waiting. I have several neighbors with PMs, and have seen some checking out my gourds, but it is only in the mornings. I have a feeling it's the neighbor's birds just being nosey.
Long story short, this is my first year back trying to get PMs, I live in Central Mississippi, and with it being mid-to-late April by now, do I still have any chances of attracting some SY martins this year? If not, do I need to leave my housing up?
Thanks in advance for the help! Glad to be back!
Is there still any hope for this year for me?
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
Yes, you still have time! I am in north Mississippi, and I got my first nesting pair in May of 2013. But regardless of whether or not you get a nesting pair this year, leave up your housing. Martins in your area will check it out when they start moving south again. Have you used the dawn song recording?
PMCA Member
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tor
- Posts: 279
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:35 pm
- Location: Marlboro County, SC
- Martin Colony History: 2025 Capacity: 96
72 Hor / Vert Troyers on 3 X Super-24's.
24 Hor Troyers on Gemini-24.
2026: We'll see.
2025: 92 pair - Fledge: 405
2024: 72 pair - Fledge: 356
2023: 72 pair - Fledge: 342
2022: 72 pair - Fledge: 322
2021: 71 pair - Fledge: 325
2020: 72 pair - Fledge: 336
2019: 70 pair - Fledge: 320
2018: 60 pair - Fledge: 297
2017: 36 pair - Fledge: 189
2016: 16 pair - Fledge: 79
2015: 4 pair - Fledge: 21
You still got time, for SY's anyway. HOSP's prefer the city life :-). We live out in the country too, and probably have 1 (one) pair every year. The male got shot out of tree. The female got shot center mass sitting on one of the porches on my T14 waiting for his passed Hussy to return. She never knew what hit her. That sums up my encounter with HOSP's this year.
Thanks! I had 2 or 3 SY males (I think.... white breast with darker throat) checking out my housing a ton yesterday. They even lit on them and sat for about 3 minutes or so. One seemed very interested in a particular gourd and would chase the others away if they tried to check it out as well. They were back this morning as well. Fingers crossed!
As for HOSPs in the country, it's SO nice not to have to worry about those little demons! I can actually be outside and hear our native songbirds without the noise pollution of those little jerks! :D
As for HOSPs in the country, it's SO nice not to have to worry about those little demons! I can actually be outside and hear our native songbirds without the noise pollution of those little jerks! :D
2016 - 4 gourds, 2 unlucky SY bachelors
2017 - 4 gourds, added a T14. 3 SY pairs, 3 nests, 14 eggs, 14 hatched, 13 nestlings.
2018 - as of April 10, approximately 16 Martins, mostly ASY, a few SY. No nests yet.
2017 - 4 gourds, added a T14. 3 SY pairs, 3 nests, 14 eggs, 14 hatched, 13 nestlings.
2018 - as of April 10, approximately 16 Martins, mostly ASY, a few SY. No nests yet.
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1BirdmanEye
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Sun Apr 17, 2016 8:00 pm
- Location: Janesville,wisc
- Martin Colony History: First nesting pair in 1995.
There's always hope for these beauties,they have all summer to check out your real estate.