Hi all
I'm new to the purple Martin thing I posted a few weeks ago about getting visitors daily. Intitally it was mature birds passing through I assume. We are now getting not only the mature adults but also sy male and I assume females. All seem to be around often checking out boxes here early in am , throughout the day and here at dusk although not sure if they are staying overnight. I placed some grass in a few houses
Still no nesting but lots of activity in and out etc
I'm hopeful the second years will stay and nest. My question is how often do returning birds to the general vicinity abandon their sites and set up new close by? There are many colonies in the area.
I'm confused as I see at least 2-3 adult mature males all the time with the others.
Newbie
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Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
That's a good question without a clear answer. Sometimes sub adult males will go an entire summer and not find a mate. So, when he returns the following year, he is a mature male and still a free agent, so to speak. So not all ASY are bonded to existing colonies. Martins will frequently visit nearby colonies. The fact that you are getting daily visits is encouraging.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
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ToyinPA
- Posts: 2227
- Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
- Location: PA/Avis
- Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.
I would suggest you visit a few of the Martin sites nearby & speak to those landlords.
ASY Males will abandon their site if it has been compromised by Owls, Hawks, House Sparrows, Starlings, Snakes, Raccoons, etc. So it doesn't happen a lot. Another reason would be overflow of housing.
I would open a few cavities you can see from your windows. Keep the rest closed until you get more arriving & staying. Then open the rest.
Control of European House sparrows & Starlings is a must.
You can tell if they are spending the night if you see a beak peeking out of a cavity at dusk or dawn. You'll need binoculars for this. They will often visit, leave, visit, leave for several days before they decide to stay. Once you get a colony established the ASY Males will arrive early & stay. They will go find a female to join him. This can take weeks. After he gets a mate they will often spend a few weeks hanging out before starting nest building.
Pre-nesting material should consist of dried white pine needles. It repels water, so it helps to keep them dry when they first arrive during migration & also keep chicks dry. Straw can be used as well, but it often gets wet & needs changed sooner. I, as some others, also use cedar chips as base, with a nice layer of pine needles on top. Dried white pine needles are best gathered in the fall (late October here), as this is when the trees shed new dried needles. These are the ones you want. The place I used to get them got sold, so I went to the DCNR & got permission to gather them on state ground/parks/etc. I told them I wanted them for Purple Martin house nesting material. You just want the newly dropped top layer, as they will be clean.
Hopefully you'll get a colony started this season.
Toy in PA
ASY Males will abandon their site if it has been compromised by Owls, Hawks, House Sparrows, Starlings, Snakes, Raccoons, etc. So it doesn't happen a lot. Another reason would be overflow of housing.
I would open a few cavities you can see from your windows. Keep the rest closed until you get more arriving & staying. Then open the rest.
Control of European House sparrows & Starlings is a must.
You can tell if they are spending the night if you see a beak peeking out of a cavity at dusk or dawn. You'll need binoculars for this. They will often visit, leave, visit, leave for several days before they decide to stay. Once you get a colony established the ASY Males will arrive early & stay. They will go find a female to join him. This can take weeks. After he gets a mate they will often spend a few weeks hanging out before starting nest building.
Pre-nesting material should consist of dried white pine needles. It repels water, so it helps to keep them dry when they first arrive during migration & also keep chicks dry. Straw can be used as well, but it often gets wet & needs changed sooner. I, as some others, also use cedar chips as base, with a nice layer of pine needles on top. Dried white pine needles are best gathered in the fall (late October here), as this is when the trees shed new dried needles. These are the ones you want. The place I used to get them got sold, so I went to the DCNR & got permission to gather them on state ground/parks/etc. I told them I wanted them for Purple Martin house nesting material. You just want the newly dropped top layer, as they will be clean.
Hopefully you'll get a colony started this season.
Toy in PA
PMCA Member
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Tengai
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2017 9:36 am
- Location: Townsend, DE
- Martin Colony History: 2017 first year
thanks for the replies
I have a 12 room apartment style house and 6 gourds with the starling resistant crescent opening, although I did see a starling try real hard without success to get in. The pole is situated in an open area away from trees next to a corn field.
We have too many starlings in the area but hopefully the crescent openings keep them away.
I do have a sparrow trap and have been trapping and dispatching sparrows. (don't seem to have many around)
Many tree swallows as well I paired two bluebird houses near the martin house and have BB in one and TS in the other, they both seem to leave the martin houses alone/the martins don't seem affected.
a good pair of Binoculars were purchased last week and I believe at least a few stayed overnight last night.
I have a 12 room apartment style house and 6 gourds with the starling resistant crescent opening, although I did see a starling try real hard without success to get in. The pole is situated in an open area away from trees next to a corn field.
We have too many starlings in the area but hopefully the crescent openings keep them away.
I do have a sparrow trap and have been trapping and dispatching sparrows. (don't seem to have many around)
Many tree swallows as well I paired two bluebird houses near the martin house and have BB in one and TS in the other, they both seem to leave the martin houses alone/the martins don't seem affected.
a good pair of Binoculars were purchased last week and I believe at least a few stayed overnight last night.
Phil
Townsend DE
Townsend DE
Tengai, I'm a newbie too. My story is similar to yours it seems. I got a lot of visitors a while back, sometimes daily, but it stopped relatively suddenly. I found out a week or two later that I live near a colony no more than a 1/2 mile away. I play the dawn song and daytime chatter, so I'm pretty convinced his ASY birds were coming by to scope out my site. They were curious for a while, but they don't really drop by anymore. I keep my fingers crossed, but I hear starting a colony can take a really long time.
Anyway, just wanted to point my situation out for you. You may be getting visitors from neighboring colonies with no intent on sticking around. Or maybe you'll get lucky and pull one of them in. Either way, good luck.
Here's my post if you're curious: https://www.purplemartin.org/forum/view ... =2&t=33085
Anyway, just wanted to point my situation out for you. You may be getting visitors from neighboring colonies with no intent on sticking around. Or maybe you'll get lucky and pull one of them in. Either way, good luck.
Here's my post if you're curious: https://www.purplemartin.org/forum/view ... =2&t=33085
2016 - First attempted year as landlord. homemade T-14 on custom pole with winch. Fingers crossed.
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Bcorbs1217
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:22 am
- Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
- Martin Colony History: Active colony since 2005.
I got my first PM's when a delapidated set up of Martin houses at the golf course just down the road was taken down but that doesn't mean you should give up hope near an existing colony.
I have had a small colony since 2005 and am convinced that my numbers have stayed low because I haven't been diligent with nestchecks and sparrow control. That will change this year. I had quite a shock when I thought I was only going to have 2 pair but 4 pair seem to be settling in. Good luck to you both! Becky
I have had a small colony since 2005 and am convinced that my numbers have stayed low because I haven't been diligent with nestchecks and sparrow control. That will change this year. I had quite a shock when I thought I was only going to have 2 pair but 4 pair seem to be settling in. Good luck to you both! Becky
Becky Corbett. PM landlord since 2005; 12 supergourds.
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Tengai
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2017 9:36 am
- Location: Townsend, DE
- Martin Colony History: 2017 first year
Update
I was away for the weekend and when I checked the Martin house I have 4 nests! 3 in the apartment house and one in a gourd.
All nesting material is material from the cornfield, neatly placed in the compartments. No green leaves yet but I guess it's a matter of time. I'm very excited.
I was away for the weekend and when I checked the Martin house I have 4 nests! 3 in the apartment house and one in a gourd.
All nesting material is material from the cornfield, neatly placed in the compartments. No green leaves yet but I guess it's a matter of time. I'm very excited.
Phil
Townsend DE
Townsend DE
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Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
That's great news Phil, happy for you!
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
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handyman315
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 11:03 am
- Location: SW Ohio
- Martin Colony History: Colony established May 20, 2017 after three unsuccessful years. Persistent and aggressive Tree Swallows plagued the site, but beyond learning - and practicing - to control them, was the return in 2017 of a 2016-SY-M previously unable to find a mate. As a handsome ASY-M, he brought along two females and a swagger that soon put the Tree Swallow issue to rest. As the anchor pair, he and his mate hatched all six of their eggs into fat and healthy babies into what settled in to be a three-pair, flourishing new colony with up to 11 birds total, including 3 SY-M trouble makers.
I'm a newbie also, i.e., 4th season without a nesting pair. The comments here are particularly good . . . I've "lived" some of them already. 
Have been hanging out my "VACANT" sign this year with an abiding hope that what Archer says might happen, e.g., a SY-M clearly claimed my site last year but despite his best school-boy efforts could not get a female to stay. Been hoping against hope to see him turn up this year - in all his jet black/purple splendor. Know him? If he acts anything like last year, I'll know him.
An ASY-M showed up here two days ago with two SY-Fs in tow. Despite my best "ladies of Rio" jokes, alas it was clearly not "Spot" from last year, and all three checked out - literally - after an over-night stay on a slightly stormy night. Beginning to think I'm a stopover motel to other super colonies.
First saw Spot last year on May 31 . . . so, not yet giving up hope.
Hang tough. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it! And reel back your expectations a little, e.g., my sky did not quite "darken with approaching Martins" my first year.
Have been hanging out my "VACANT" sign this year with an abiding hope that what Archer says might happen, e.g., a SY-M clearly claimed my site last year but despite his best school-boy efforts could not get a female to stay. Been hoping against hope to see him turn up this year - in all his jet black/purple splendor. Know him? If he acts anything like last year, I'll know him.
An ASY-M showed up here two days ago with two SY-Fs in tow. Despite my best "ladies of Rio" jokes, alas it was clearly not "Spot" from last year, and all three checked out - literally - after an over-night stay on a slightly stormy night. Beginning to think I'm a stopover motel to other super colonies.
First saw Spot last year on May 31 . . . so, not yet giving up hope.
Hang tough. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it! And reel back your expectations a little, e.g., my sky did not quite "darken with approaching Martins" my first year.
2023-42 Nests, 197 Eggs/Babies
2022-48 Nests Fledged 203
2021-43 Nests Fledged 185
2020-31 Nests Fledged 133, three early deaths due to cold & rain
2019-19 Nests Fledged 84
2018-11 Nests Fledged 48, ASY-M Arrived April 6, Despite Snow & Cold, Joined Soon by Mate & Two Adult Pairs
2017-3 Nests Fledged 13, FIRST-YEAR LANDLORD! Resident SY-M from 2016 Returned (as ASY-M) on May 20. At Least 11 Adult Residents
2016 Late-Arriving SYs, Resident Lone SY-M
2015-14 Many Visits
2022-48 Nests Fledged 203
2021-43 Nests Fledged 185
2020-31 Nests Fledged 133, three early deaths due to cold & rain
2019-19 Nests Fledged 84
2018-11 Nests Fledged 48, ASY-M Arrived April 6, Despite Snow & Cold, Joined Soon by Mate & Two Adult Pairs
2017-3 Nests Fledged 13, FIRST-YEAR LANDLORD! Resident SY-M from 2016 Returned (as ASY-M) on May 20. At Least 11 Adult Residents
2016 Late-Arriving SYs, Resident Lone SY-M
2015-14 Many Visits
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Bcorbs1217
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:22 am
- Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
- Martin Colony History: Active colony since 2005.
Pre-nesting material should consist of dried white pine needles. It repels water, so it helps to keep them dry when they first arrive during migration & also keep chicks dry. Straw can be used as well, but it often gets wet & needs changed sooner. I, as some others, also use cedar chips as base, with a nice layer of pine needles on top. Dried white pine needles are best gathered in the fall (late October here), as this is when the trees shed new dried needles. These are the ones you want. The place I used to get them got sold, so I went to the DCNR & got permission to gather them on state ground/parks/etc. I told them I wanted them for Purple Martin house nesting material. You just want the newly dropped top layer, as they will be clean.
Thanks for this Toy! I've never heard this about the pine needles. I have plenty of trees in my neighborhood and the golf course down the road.
Thanks for this Toy! I've never heard this about the pine needles. I have plenty of trees in my neighborhood and the golf course down the road.
Becky Corbett. PM landlord since 2005; 12 supergourds.
Last year after trying everything for 5 years to get a pair to nest I had 1adult and 4 subadult males stay, 4 of them were able to get mates and succeed in flegging their young. This year 5 adult males showed up and hung around for several weeks and then got females and set up house keeping . Early last week the subadults finally showed up , I now have 16 gourds with mostly pairs hanging out. It does show that hanging in there and trying all the good info passed out on this forum will pay off ! I am so happy and hopeful that all these guys will stay. The aerial show that many birds puts on is totally awesome. Hopefully all the newbies will have good luck this year
Jack
Jack
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Kuemic
- Posts: 176
- Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 7:17 pm
- Location: Topeka, KS
- Martin Colony History: 2015 1 pair, 2 eggs destroyed by HOSP
2016 1 pair, 2 fledged, HOSP 46
2017 1 pair, 5 fledged, HOSP 14
2018 daily visitors, HOSP 12
2019 1 pair, 2 fledged, HOSP 14
2020 1pair, 5 fledged, HOSP 17
2021 2 pair, 7 fledged, HOSP 21
2022 3 pair, 12 fledged, HOSP 18
2023 8 pair, 35 fledged, HOSP 16
2024 13 pair, 55 fledged, HOSP 11
Wow, what great news Phil! Keep those birds nesting and babies coming! Can only help nearby landlords! Have a great time with your birds 
Michelle
Michelle
Michelle in Topeka
Wow, that's great news! I'm totally jealous!
I just poked my head out the door to check on my T-14 and still nothing. Are you familiar with tumbleweed? Well there was a really small air-tumbleweed that just floated by a few of the rooms while I was watching. A little mini dust devil came in right behind it. A couple crickets are chirping in the background, trying to break an awkward silence (though making it slightly more awkward). I saw a Purple Martin land on one of the units just about a minute ago. He looked straight at me and raised his right wing. I was trying to figure out what he was doing. Well, if his feathers were fingers, he had only his middle one pointed towards the sky, all while staring eerily at me. Then he pooped on my house and flew off. I think I heard him yell some sort of racial slur as he flew away, which is kind of rude if you ask me. A couple more Martins flew by right behind him. One yelled "LOSER" and another made a raspberry sound with his mouth (which honestly I figured you could only make that noise if you have lips). Then they pooped on my dog and were off. The crickets took a break during the commotion, but they've since started up again.
I admit, I am slightly intimidated, but I'll just keep at it I guess. It's just getting so time consuming up keeping the flashing neon vacancy signs and mini wacky-waving-inflatable-arm-flailing-tube-guys on each of their front porches. I have however gotten pretty efficient at baking tiny chocolate chip cookies every morning and placing it at their door in case they change their minds. Oh well, here's to hoping!
I just poked my head out the door to check on my T-14 and still nothing. Are you familiar with tumbleweed? Well there was a really small air-tumbleweed that just floated by a few of the rooms while I was watching. A little mini dust devil came in right behind it. A couple crickets are chirping in the background, trying to break an awkward silence (though making it slightly more awkward). I saw a Purple Martin land on one of the units just about a minute ago. He looked straight at me and raised his right wing. I was trying to figure out what he was doing. Well, if his feathers were fingers, he had only his middle one pointed towards the sky, all while staring eerily at me. Then he pooped on my house and flew off. I think I heard him yell some sort of racial slur as he flew away, which is kind of rude if you ask me. A couple more Martins flew by right behind him. One yelled "LOSER" and another made a raspberry sound with his mouth (which honestly I figured you could only make that noise if you have lips). Then they pooped on my dog and were off. The crickets took a break during the commotion, but they've since started up again.
I admit, I am slightly intimidated, but I'll just keep at it I guess. It's just getting so time consuming up keeping the flashing neon vacancy signs and mini wacky-waving-inflatable-arm-flailing-tube-guys on each of their front porches. I have however gotten pretty efficient at baking tiny chocolate chip cookies every morning and placing it at their door in case they change their minds. Oh well, here's to hoping!
2016 - First attempted year as landlord. homemade T-14 on custom pole with winch. Fingers crossed.
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Mhoover
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 10:30 am
- Location: Indiana/Monticello - White County
- Martin Colony History: Started with 2 pair in 2014 - 7 eggs -7 fledged
It could be any time if there is more than just a nest bowl in the cavity. I have at last nest check 4 eggs in a gourd that does not have any green leaves in it. None of the nests last year had any green leaves in them either. They all had dried Oak leaves in them.
2017-5 pair
2016-4 pair- 18 hatched-18 fledged
2015-1 pair -Both ASY- 6 eggs-5 fledged
2014-2 pair- 1 ASY-M/SY-F-1 ASY pair - 7 eggs-7 fledged
PMCA Member
2016-4 pair- 18 hatched-18 fledged
2015-1 pair -Both ASY- 6 eggs-5 fledged
2014-2 pair- 1 ASY-M/SY-F-1 ASY pair - 7 eggs-7 fledged
PMCA Member
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Tengai
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2017 9:36 am
- Location: Townsend, DE
- Martin Colony History: 2017 first year
Nest check as of yesterday 12 nests! Most complete 3 have dried oaks leaves waiting on those first eggs.
I can't believe my luck as a first timer but having neighbors close by with martins probably helped.
Phil
I can't believe my luck as a first timer but having neighbors close by with martins probably helped.
Phil
Phil
Townsend DE
Townsend DE
-
[email protected]
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:35 am
- Location: Raynham MA. 02767
- Martin Colony History: 2016, put Troyer pole with 6 units Horizontal with Conley 11 Tunnels.
Had some visits (two sittings) last year. A visit this year 2017.
'm jealous of all this activity 
Keeping my fingers crossed. I defiantly have a sever case of P N M T S D!!! POST NO MARTIN TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER... 
Keeping my fingers crossed. I defiantly have a sever case of P N M T S D!!! POST NO MARTIN TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER...