Very Eager

[Habsboy]

I have actively been checking posts and am very eager for the pm season to start. This is my 2nd year . My question is my site had a few regular visitors every day last year but none stayed. There is a sub par colony about 5 km from my house (not maintained and housing falling apart) Is it possible that these martins are checking out my site? Did more clearing and added an old grandpa house . My setup includes about 15 troyer gourds and an old castle with all the proper holes to keep starlings out and detering sparrows from my area with trapping and shooting. Do you think my chances are good?

[Jeff Robinson]

Your chances are as good or better than most If you're putting in the work and following PM site protocols. Do you have housing similar to the those offered at your area's existing colony(s)? This isn't a must, but it could help if returning scouts are looking for a new home.

Have you tried the Dawn Song and Daytime Chatter CDs?

Keep the faith and let us know how it goes.

Jeff

[Habsboy]

I also have the dawn song and daytime chatter. Just playing the waiting game. I think they should be around in about 2 weeks, the weather looks like its turning the corner. I also put up an old wooden house I got at a yard sale with sreh entrances. Whoever had this last did an awesome job. If it gets cold I think they may like this wooden house.

[deancamp]

If you don't have a decoy, you might give that a try also. After over 10 yrs of trying, l got my first Martins a couple years ago. I was playing the dawn song and had a decoy sitting on an antenna a short distance from my gourds and housing. An asy male was first seen setting by the decoy as if it was keeping him company. He brought in a female and that was my first pair.
Jeff

[flyin-lowe]

A majority of the martins born at the nearby site last year will not return there this year. So having housing in the area is a goood thing. It can become more important in your area where not near as many people put up housing as they do here further south of you. It is also possible if that housing is being neglected that eventually they could move on.

[Dave Reynolds]

Keep doing what you are doing... It sounds like you have all the right stuff... It will happen,, Good Luck in 2019


Dave

[Habsboy]

Thanks everyone. I think I've prepared as much as I can now its just a waiting game. I even ordered crickets in case they show up and are famished. I think Ive got the bug, heck I've even joined the local pm club. Thanks again