What do you all think about the probability of getting SY's yet this year in PA? I get very depressed looking at my lonely house out there. I know that the season was late, but I've only seen two PMs at my site one morning. I've even killed other birds (S&S) to keep my house free for them. I don't entirely mind listening to the songbird magnet, but it's a constant reminder that I don't have any real birds. Just wondering when I should pack it up. So many others are already fledged. Makes me think that time is about up.
Thoughts?
Signed,
Pouting in Philadelphia
How long to hold my breath in SE PA?
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AndyShutterbug
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 10:58 am
- Location: Midland, MI
- Martin Colony History: 2013 Heath hexagon 12 cavity...no birds
2014 T14 added. Couple of visitors only.
2015 Four birds? At least one pair? 5 eggs in three different cavities! Abandoned.
2016 Heath house not put up. Only visitors.
2017 Only visitors
2018 No activity
2019 Visitors 20May only
2020 Visitor 22May, 3 birds suddenly 20Jun!?
2021 Nothing
2022 Sudden flurry 04Jun. Pair hanging out. High hopes!
2023 Few visitors. Disappointing...then moved from this house.
AndyShutterbug
Central Michigan
Central Michigan
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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.
Are there any colonies near by? If so it will increase your chances.
I don't think Martin chicks have fledged yet this far north. Heck mine just started laying eggs last week. It takes 16-26 days for eggs to hatch & then an average of 5 weeks before they fledge.
I also just got another SY male & female. I would think you'd have a few more weeks before hanging it up. Even then you should keep your housing up so any Martins flying over can visit.
Toy in PA
I don't think Martin chicks have fledged yet this far north. Heck mine just started laying eggs last week. It takes 16-26 days for eggs to hatch & then an average of 5 weeks before they fledge.
I also just got another SY male & female. I would think you'd have a few more weeks before hanging it up. Even then you should keep your housing up so any Martins flying over can visit.
Toy in PA
PMCA Member
Andy,
I would not lose faith at this point. My colony got started late May by an ASY pair a number of years ago.....Still time for lots of SY's to check out your place. My birds are sitting on nests and others are still laying eggs. No hatched birds at this point.
Richard
I would not lose faith at this point. My colony got started late May by an ASY pair a number of years ago.....Still time for lots of SY's to check out your place. My birds are sitting on nests and others are still laying eggs. No hatched birds at this point.
Richard
Trying since 2006, started hosting in 2012
T14 with 4 THG and 4 modified SG's
Gourd rack with 3 TVG's and 3 modified SG's
T14 with 4 THG and 4 modified SG's
Gourd rack with 3 TVG's and 3 modified SG's
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
That's what I always said and that's what you have to do! They won't come if you don't have something up for them! It's took me 5 years and finally have nesting pair! Good luck!kim w. wrote:I feel your pain AndyShutterbug. Sitting on the porch thinking well I'll try again next year.
Sharon from southern Illinois
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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'm in Maryland and I had an SY male show up this morning. A few may still be coming your way.
Becky Corbett. PM landlord since 2005; 12 supergourds.
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Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
Dear Pouting,
If misery loves company, I know exactly how you feel. I have been trying 4 years and again, feel that its about done for the year. Very depressing and frustrating when i think of all the time and resources I have spent and for what, Knowing that my .22 is sighted in? I have shot over 150 S&S this year. I want to buy crickets instead of .22 rounds
Then, this morning, just like Bcords, I saw my first SY male do several fly bys. He didnt land, but he was rather voicetress and i watched him for five minutes or so before he left. Not the same as watching nest building and counting eggs, but its something.
I look forward to the day when, sort of like burning your mortgage, I will smash that Dawn song/daytime chatter CD, because i have a real colony and don't have to pretend.
If misery loves company, I know exactly how you feel. I have been trying 4 years and again, feel that its about done for the year. Very depressing and frustrating when i think of all the time and resources I have spent and for what, Knowing that my .22 is sighted in? I have shot over 150 S&S this year. I want to buy crickets instead of .22 rounds
Then, this morning, just like Bcords, I saw my first SY male do several fly bys. He didnt land, but he was rather voicetress and i watched him for five minutes or so before he left. Not the same as watching nest building and counting eggs, but its something.
I look forward to the day when, sort of like burning your mortgage, I will smash that Dawn song/daytime chatter CD, because i have a real colony and don't have to pretend.
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
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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.
Dan:Dan G wrote:Dear Pouting,
If misery loves company, I know exactly how you feel. I have been trying 4 years and again, feel that its about done for the year. Very depressing and frustrating when i think of all the time and resources I have spent and for what, Knowing that my .22 is sighted in? I have shot over 150 S&S this year. I want to buy crickets instead of .22 rounds
Then, this morning, just like Bcords, I saw my first SY male do several fly bys. He didnt land, but he was rather voicetress and i watched him for five minutes or so before he left. Not the same as watching nest building and counting eggs, but its something.
I look forward to the day when, sort of like burning your mortgage, I will smash that Dawn song/daytime chatter CD, because i have a real colony and don't have to pretend.
I had hoped you'd be posting of nest building this year. There's still time tho. Maybe, just maybe that SY male will come back with a lady & they'll move in.
Toy in PA
PMCA Member
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AndyShutterbug
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 10:58 am
- Location: Midland, MI
- Martin Colony History: 2013 Heath hexagon 12 cavity...no birds
2014 T14 added. Couple of visitors only.
2015 Four birds? At least one pair? 5 eggs in three different cavities! Abandoned.
2016 Heath house not put up. Only visitors.
2017 Only visitors
2018 No activity
2019 Visitors 20May only
2020 Visitor 22May, 3 birds suddenly 20Jun!?
2021 Nothing
2022 Sudden flurry 04Jun. Pair hanging out. High hopes!
2023 Few visitors. Disappointing...then moved from this house.
Thanks for the words of encouragement. My hopes are fading, but I'll keep the music playing a bit longer. I intended to leave the house up so that youngsters might see it as they go to roost. One year I had a wren take up residence eventually and I didn't shoo it away. I figured it might as well help some species.
I've checked the scout report map and I see that I should have a colony ~7 miles north east and another ~13 miles west up the Schuylkill River. But I haven't done a drive by of either to see if they are really active. I assume they are if they are posting this year. There's one other property about 3 miles SE of me offering sizable housing. I don't know if they've ever had birds and they don't seem to do scout reports here. There are a number of beginner houses around, a number of them not maintained. I've never noticed martins in my travels. Probably just helping the invaders.
I'm a mile and a half from a small river. I wonder if that is part of how they navigate. I assume I'm just not close enough to a migratory pathway.
At least I've got bluebirds and tree swallows to keep me company when I'm out back. The tree swallows are so fun to watch and listen to. I can only imagine how it might be with their big cousins.
I've checked the scout report map and I see that I should have a colony ~7 miles north east and another ~13 miles west up the Schuylkill River. But I haven't done a drive by of either to see if they are really active. I assume they are if they are posting this year. There's one other property about 3 miles SE of me offering sizable housing. I don't know if they've ever had birds and they don't seem to do scout reports here. There are a number of beginner houses around, a number of them not maintained. I've never noticed martins in my travels. Probably just helping the invaders.
I'm a mile and a half from a small river. I wonder if that is part of how they navigate. I assume I'm just not close enough to a migratory pathway.
At least I've got bluebirds and tree swallows to keep me company when I'm out back. The tree swallows are so fun to watch and listen to. I can only imagine how it might be with their big cousins.
AndyShutterbug
Central Michigan
Central Michigan
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Ryan
- Posts: 308
- Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:19 pm
- Location: Eganville, Ontario
- Martin Colony History: Visitors are rare. On the northern edge of the martins range.
That's funny. I've thought about this too, but I think I'll burn the CD instead of smash it. I've been playing it for seven years and can't believe that it still plays flawlessly.Dan G wrote:I look forward to the day when, sort of like burning your mortgage, I will smash that Dawn song/daytime chatter CD, because i have a real colony and don't have to pretend.
It seems you guys have a bit more action than I, even though you're calling your seasons disappointing. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't get too down, there's always someone doing worse than you ha. That would be me. I haven't even seen a PM do a fly-by in two and a half years.
Keep chugging away. It could be worse.
2010- 1 SY male on and off for a couple weeks
'11- 0 visits
12- 0 visits
13- 0 visits
14- 1 SY male stopped by over 2 weeks.
15- 0 visits
16- 0 visits
17- 0 visits
18- 0 visits
19- Break-through year. Had a SY Male stop in on June 7th and stay all day, every day until end of June
20 - The male didn't return. I did see a SY male do a few flyovers.
21- a couple brief visits
22-3rd rack added, all within a mile. This one at prime location, 0 visits
23- 0 visits
'11- 0 visits
12- 0 visits
13- 0 visits
14- 1 SY male stopped by over 2 weeks.
15- 0 visits
16- 0 visits
17- 0 visits
18- 0 visits
19- Break-through year. Had a SY Male stop in on June 7th and stay all day, every day until end of June
20 - The male didn't return. I did see a SY male do a few flyovers.
21- a couple brief visits
22-3rd rack added, all within a mile. This one at prime location, 0 visits
23- 0 visits
I can relate - I'm playing the Dawn song, doing everything I can think of that is suggested to do, here, to make them feel welcome. However, nothing. I saw a couple on two different Tuesdays but haven't for awhile and they didnt' stop - they just flew over and checked out the song.......I'm thrilled to have at least seen them and there may have been more over the past few weeks that I didn't see - but it does get tiring to wait and wait and get nothing. But - we will continue to.....cuz we want them and that's about all we can do.
Billie from southern Wisconsin
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
We had a very special lady on here! Who I miss reading her post! But she use to say BEAK UP!
I loved that because she's is right Beak up and it will happen! Keep the faith!
GOOD LUCK!!!!
I loved that because she's is right Beak up and it will happen! Keep the faith!
GOOD LUCK!!!!Sharon from southern Illinois
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Martinfarmer
- Posts: 153
- Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 6:33 pm
- Location: Guthrie KY 42234
- Martin Colony History: 2015 put up a S-k house, visitors but no takers
2016 homemade Martin condo (40 nesting boxes) several visitors no takers
2017 changed crescent openings to Troyer Conley 2 openings and installed 4 super gourds with Conley2 adapters and 12 vertical Troyers.
Several nests and eggs. Hopefully will exceed one hundred eggs this year.
6-21-17 nest inspection 68 chicks and 26 eggs
6-30-17 inspection 90 chicks and a new nest with 4 eggs.
8-30-17 successfully fledged over 85 martins.
Andyshutterbug, I think my success this year actually came from entertaining young purple martins in august of last year. Play the dawn song always .
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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.
Martinfarmer wrote:Andyshutterbug, I think my success this year actually came from entertaining young purple martins in august of last year. Play the dawn song always .
Same here. A late-arriving - but staying - SY-M (subbie) last year was never able to attract/keep a mate. I feel certain he came back this year in full black/purple plumage, with others in tow. This new colony is his, not mine.
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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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
I would play that dawn song until they hit the Mexican border! 
Sharon from southern Illinois
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Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
He hasn't found a girlfriend, but an SY male was at my house again this morning at about 645. I cant be sure if it was the same one as before, but this time, he landed several times on the gourd rack, the T-14 and the perch wire running between the two. Looking into cavities. The dawn song had played from 4am till about 515, and i turned on the daytime chatter CD about 6am. The tree swallows seemed to ignore him for awhile and then they did eventually chase him a bit, but he came back five minutes later. The TS have little ones poking their heads out of their box about 40 feet away.
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
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bwenger
- Posts: 1057
- Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2005 7:24 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania/Espyville/Pymatuning Reservoir Area
- Martin Colony History: Taking care of 11 active public colonies and trying to start two more in northwestern PA. Also attempting to restart another one in southwestern PA, in Collier Township's Hilltop Park. In 2017, not sure what happened but the ASY male returned and then a couple of weeks later he was gone. It could have been weather related. No other birds showed up. I had a starling nesting at the Public site that I had trouble getting rid of.
In 2018, we fledged 629 martins at all of the sites.
To all of you wannabe's. KEEP TRYING and HANG IN THERE.
I was trying since 2005 in northwest PA and had one pair in 2012. I didn't have any nesters again until last year. Two pairs of SY birds and 2-3 SY bachelor males. They all showed up within 48 hours of each other. This year, I had three ASY males at one point, then I was down to two, and then about 2-3 weeks ago the SY birds started coming in. I have 7 nesting pairs and 19 eggs now plus a couple of more that may nest here shortly.
Yes, that daytime chatter and dawnsong really becomes annoying. Those house sparrows and starlings are real pests, especially when they start fledging their young and you have more of that activity around your housing, but when you least expect it, a lone SY bird will show up and then he'll find a SY female and you've got a colony started. I know it's easy to say, but after 11 years in my case, you can get your colony started and it really may grow quickly, depending on the landlords around you and whether or not they do nest checks.
Hang in there and keep trying.
Bill
I was trying since 2005 in northwest PA and had one pair in 2012. I didn't have any nesters again until last year. Two pairs of SY birds and 2-3 SY bachelor males. They all showed up within 48 hours of each other. This year, I had three ASY males at one point, then I was down to two, and then about 2-3 weeks ago the SY birds started coming in. I have 7 nesting pairs and 19 eggs now plus a couple of more that may nest here shortly.
Yes, that daytime chatter and dawnsong really becomes annoying. Those house sparrows and starlings are real pests, especially when they start fledging their young and you have more of that activity around your housing, but when you least expect it, a lone SY bird will show up and then he'll find a SY female and you've got a colony started. I know it's easy to say, but after 11 years in my case, you can get your colony started and it really may grow quickly, depending on the landlords around you and whether or not they do nest checks.
Hang in there and keep trying.
Bill
Bill Wenger
Building the Purple Martin population one bird at a time!
Building the Purple Martin population one bird at a time!
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[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.
Only my second year trying to get Purple Martins. The neighbors are ticked with the Morning song at 4:00 am. At some point in the next month or so I'll turn it off and wait till next spring.bwenger wrote:To all of you wannabe's. KEEP TRYING and HANG IN THERE.
I was trying since 2005 in northwest PA and had one pair in 2012. I didn't have any nesters again until last year. Two pairs of SY birds and 2-3 SY bachelor males. They all showed up within 48 hours of each other. This year, I had three ASY males at one point, then I was down to two, and then about 2-3 weeks ago the SY birds started coming in. I have 7 nesting pairs and 19 eggs now plus a couple of more that may nest here shortly.
Yes, that daytime chatter and dawnsong really becomes annoying. Those house sparrows and starlings are real pests, especially when they start fledging their young and you have more of that activity around your housing, but when you least expect it, a lone SY bird will show up and then he'll find a SY female and you've got a colony started. I know it's easy to say, but after 11 years in my case, you can get your colony started and it really may grow quickly, depending on the landlords around you and whether or not they do nest checks.
Hang in there and keep trying.
Bill
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
Tell them it's your morning talk show you listen too!!!![email protected] wrote:
Only my second year trying to get Purple Martins. The neighbors are ticked with the Morning song at 4:00 am. At some point in the next month or so I'll turn it off and wait till next spring.
Sharon from southern Illinois
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Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
- IMG_0006-012.JPG (40.21 KiB) Viewed 9012 times
They truly are majestic, and they soar so effortlessly. It was such a fun few minutes. I hope if I ever get a colony started, that i dont take them for grantedBellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.