This is the third year for my newly established Purple Martin colony. The first year I attracted two nesting pairs. Last year I had sixteen nesting pairs. Prior to this, albeit at a different site, I tried for nearly 15 years to unsuccessfully attract a colony of Purple Martins. I had to deal with very tenacious Tree Swallows every year; a feel they were one of the reasons I failed to attract nesting martins at that site. I'm still a bit shocked that I had sixteen nesting pairs last year at my current site!
The local Tree Swallow population is very high... they seem to be everywhere! During the first two years I managed the Tree Swallows very carefully. I had a bluebird box placed 30 feet from each of my two martin setups. Worked very well.
For this year, I've added two more gourd racks to my martin setup. I now have two wooden houses and three gourd racks, for total of 100 compartments offered. My backyard has three poles placed in a triangle, 32 feet apart. My front yard has a wooden house and a gourd rack placed 24 feet apart.
The martins have not yet returned, but the Tree Swallows are back in full force. I have the bluebird boxes once again placed 30 feet from each of my two martin setups, but the Tree Swallows seem much more interested in the martin housing and gourds. Seems as though there are Tree Swallows flittering everywhere!
Frankly, I'm tired of worrying about the Tree Swallows and would love to move the bluebird boxes to the edge of my 2.5 acre property were I want them and just wait for martins to return.
Can I safely not worry about the Tree Swallows this year as my site should be considered "established" after having sixteen nesting pairs last year? Will the martins' site fidelity be enough to tolerate the Tree Swallows or even force them out of the martin housing? With 100 compartments offered, I truthfully don't mind if these little Tree Swallows nest in one of the gourds. However, I don't want them chasing any martins away.
Thanks for any input from any of you who have established colonies and have had Tree Swallows take up residence before your martins return!
Tree Swallows at Newly Established Site Before Martins Return
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Ed Svetich-WI
- Posts: 815
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
- Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
- Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.
You had 16 pair last year. Congrats. Take a break and enjoy them.
Returning martins will take care of the tree swallows. Why cause yourself additional problems by adding more gourd racks? Returning martins will go to last years' housing that they know. My suggestion is to lower/plug/remove the new gourds and reduce the number of cavities that are available to tree swallows. Grow into the number of cavities that you can manage.If you were not at 100% occupancy last year, you do not need to add anything at this time.
I am sure others will disagree, but why add more and more and yet more when others may still be trying to attract their first pair.Look at the costs incurred and the unknown time you will require for 100 cavities if you achieve that many. 100 cavities x 2 nest changes = 200 nest changes minimum. You are in blow fly country and will have to be vigilant.More frequent nest checks will be advisable in addition to nest replacements. First eggs date? Last egg laid? Hatching date? How much time will you dedicate? Will you activly manage your colony or just wing it (no pun intended)?
Share the weaith. Remember your frustration to get this far? It is a hobby.
Ed
Returning martins will take care of the tree swallows. Why cause yourself additional problems by adding more gourd racks? Returning martins will go to last years' housing that they know. My suggestion is to lower/plug/remove the new gourds and reduce the number of cavities that are available to tree swallows. Grow into the number of cavities that you can manage.If you were not at 100% occupancy last year, you do not need to add anything at this time.
I am sure others will disagree, but why add more and more and yet more when others may still be trying to attract their first pair.Look at the costs incurred and the unknown time you will require for 100 cavities if you achieve that many. 100 cavities x 2 nest changes = 200 nest changes minimum. You are in blow fly country and will have to be vigilant.More frequent nest checks will be advisable in addition to nest replacements. First eggs date? Last egg laid? Hatching date? How much time will you dedicate? Will you activly manage your colony or just wing it (no pun intended)?
Share the weaith. Remember your frustration to get this far? It is a hobby.
Ed