Martin Perscpective - House Choosing

Jangles · Tue Apr 04, 2017 10:36 am

Can someone help me learn what to expect, as a first time landlord, with Martins potentially choosing a home in my T-14?

I've seen several groups swirling, often times because of the daytime chatter I play from 7-12. Last week, there were around 10 of them circling the house, coming in for a landing but pulling up the very last second. They did this for a while without ever landing. Yesterday, I had two or three of them actually coming in and landing. One was an ASY male, the other was, I'm guessing, an SY male. They would go room to room and bicker with each other. They would poke their heads in the SREHs and fight a little bit but not walk into any rooms. They'd do this for 10 minutes, fly away, then come back 10 minutes later and do it again. This was for about an hour in the evening. I'm working now, so I can't see what's going on.

So, what's the process. If they like a place, do they stay the night there immediately? Or do they stick around in a nearby tree until they commit? Will they fly around a certain square mileage and inspect homes, narrowing them down one by one until they decide on the best in the area? Anyone know? I'm trying to decide if I should be disappointed when they don't stick around like they didn't do yesterday, or if that is just a normal part of house shopping for a Martin.

Thanks!

Dave Duit · Tue Apr 04, 2017 11:34 am

Since there are more than a few martins checking out your place and landing on the housing, I would expect that the CD can stop playing. Many times the landlords don't see the martins slip in later in the dusk time. They are most likely feeding during their time away from the housing. They are probably already committed to staying at your location. They are also most likely SY martins searching to establish a new colony. Be patient and I expect that you will see a new colony in it's beginnings. Best of luck.

Archer · Tue Apr 04, 2017 11:42 am

I would think it to be normal, especially in the early part of the season. It is defiantly a process to attract a nesting pair, and each place could be different. At my place an sy female set up shop, stayed the night, and found a mate 2 days later. This was the third year I was trying so there had been many other visits before her. She wasn't the first bird at my site that year, but she was the first one that stayed. The hide and seek they are doing, is totally normal until they feel safe, they will go in when they want to. The more time they spend at your place, the closer you are to having a pair. When pair stays the night, you are on the right track. When they start nest building, its usually a done deal. I would love to know what's going on inside their heads, but something's remain a mystery. Any martin time, is good martin time, enjoy them when they are around.

Jangles · Wed Apr 05, 2017 1:51 pm

Archer & Dave Duit, Thanks for the advice. Didn't see anyone there yesterday, though my viewing time is limited since my wife and I work from 7-5 each day. Maybe they showed up when I wasn't around. Anyway, I'll keep the vacancy signs up, a mint on the pillow, and my fingers crossed.