New landlord survey

[Buckdog122]

I was just wondering how many people trying to start a new colony have had any luck thus far. I’ve seen a few flyovers here in SE Ohio but no real luck so far. Just curious how many newbies have had luck so far?
Buckdog122

[BillieJR]

I am one and I have not seen even one yet. Good luck to you and all the others who are trying to start a colony and to all of those who already have successful colonies - I wanna be you.

[Dave Duit]

Hi BuckDog,
When starting a brand new colony; the martins that will start the colony will be the young martins that were hatched last year. These youngsters are known as SY or second year martins that were from another colony in your area. They arrive roughly 4-6 weeks after the ASY or after second year martins have shown up in your area. The yellow dots under the research scout arrival map on the website are SY martins.

[PMDavid]

Good day dawg and bill, I’m new at the Martin gig. I started last year and was late getting up and running. This year I was ready ahead of the curve . I had lots of lookers and the neighbors birds would come everyday and visit. I had one sy male that would rush in at dark and stayed in a certain gourd. All by himself. So ‘18 that was it. I named him the “nut”. I mean why would you run down here at dark and leave 18 others three houses away to be by yourself ?! So guess what this year the nut returned as a ASY and when he showed up he went straight to the same gourd he was in last year! It had to be him. With in a few days he showed up with a chic,then in a few more days they showed up with another pair,then about two weeks later another pair! So they’ve all been here for quite a while now . They are very pair bonded at this point and have all picked a certain gourd and sleep as pairs. Pretty cool. I haven’t noticed any nest building yet. All gourds and houses were pre nested with pine straw,but would expect they would bring in at least some additional stick or something. It’s been a journey and I feel very lucky to have received three pair in my first year! I wish you guys all the luck in the world ,persist and continue. There is still time in your area for some sub adults to find you.
David in Louisiana.

[PMDavid]

As a matter of fact if you’ll check the map for Ohio it looks like the birds have steady arriving over the last few weeks and as recent as yesterday,remain vigilant guys it happen . And listen to mr Duit,he has helped me along the way also.Good luck

[Dave Duit]

Thanks for the good words DavidPM.

[MY FYN 79]

New landlord here and I haven't seen anything yet.

I'm not very far from, and also drive past what I believe to be Bob Ring's setup quite often. So I know they are in the area for sure!

[Dave Duit]

I know it is a difficult thing to admit, but sometimes it can take years before a newbie gets the first pair. I live on a 12 acre lake with all the bells and whistles ready for incoming second year martins and waited 6 years for my first pair. I do recall how frustrating it was waiting to just get one pair. I guess what I'm saying is stay strong. Even if a new landlord does EVERYTHING right, it may simply be a matter of time. I wish all the new purple martin people the best and I will say a little prayer that a few purple gems decide to make your location home.

[BillieJR]

Thanks, Dave! I know what you're saying and keep reminding myself of that but also watch and wait with hope that this is the year. It will happen - just don't know when. This isn't my first year of waiting - but hopefully it'll be my last.

[Buckdog122]

I had a female or an ay (not sure) circle and land a few times yesterday and It was like I was looking up at an alien. Just walking and smiling looking in the air. So exciting. Neighbors definitely think I’ve lost my marbles! Good luck:)
Buckdog

[BillieJR]

Lol! I think many of us look like we've lost our marbles. Good luck!

[deancamp]

Good news Buckdog! It was most likely a female, the scout map is not showing any sy birds that far North yet. Keep us posted, I would love to hear that she brought a mate back with her.

[Bird Brain]

This is my 3rd season trying. 16 foot, Deluxe Gourd Rack, 3 inch pole, Troyer gourds, all house sparrows eliminated, pine needles added, and still nothing. There is a 20 year old thriving colony less than a mile away with 6X6 rooms, round entrance holes and infested with HOSP, unbelievable. My setup looks like paradise compared to this one. I'm not bitter or despaired. I think it will happen for me. The patience is the hardest part about this hobby. I've decided to wait 7 more years if I have to. I think 10 years is long enough. If I don't get martins after 10 years trying, I'll convert my martin pole to a bat house pole. I've had good luck with bats. I have a thriving bat colony. Good luck everyone.

[dragonfly]

if you have a good location to start with ,that has a open flyway , you should have PM ‘s in two years or less in Texas , i don’t like gourds as primary attraction, last cavity the birds occupied at my location, might try a house unit , i have at least 35 pair now in my fourth year , k18 gourd unit still only 4 pair , south Arkansas

[deancamp]

Bird Brain are you playing the dawn song with decoys as well. You should at a minimum be seeing visitors.

[Spiderman]

If you are in Ohio, I would encourage you to visit PMLOVER here on the Forum.

He has hundred's of Martins and you will probably learn a few things about housing Martins that you do not know. It will definately be motivational to see how many Martins you can have if you take care of them.

[randy741985]

This is my Second year, I have seen a few martins checking out my gourds but still have not had a pair to stay. Hoping it is going to pickup in the coming days. I was better prepared this year I had a blue bird box within 25 feet which I have a pair of blue birds nesting, I also have gourd placed low on a Pole for tree swallows but none nesting in it. I play the dawn song when I can but like many I have to work. I will say patience is needed in this hobby so I want it to happen this year but if doesnt I will try again next year.

Best of luck to everyone, If I do get a pair I will post it.

[Birds]

I have not seen any purple martins this year either, I know it's still early but I can't wait!. I have been having starling problems, lately they have been getting through my starling resistance entrance holes and it has been getting on my nerves. Hopefully you have been having better luck than I have.

[tboydshirt]

Hi buckdog, I'm in north central Ohio and this will be my 4th year trying in good martin country (Amish). this year the closest I've come to a martin landing here was a week ago when an adult male landed several times looking at different openings. nothing since but it seems martins are drifting in later than last year for most Ohioans. I'm patiently waiting for young birds which won't start arriving till the end of the month. Good luck to you, and all of us in getting one of the spill overs from last year's hatch. I will have lots of styles of housing as you can sort of see in the attached photo taken 6 weeks ago.
tim boyd

[randy741985]

Hi buckdog, I'm in north central Ohio and this will be my 4th year trying in good martin country (Amish). this year the closest I've come to a martin landing here was a week ago when an adult male landed several times looking at different openings. nothing since but it seems martins are drifting in later than last year for most Ohioans. I'm patiently waiting for young birds which won't start arriving till the end of the month. Good luck to you, and all of us in getting one of the spill overs from last year's hatch. I will have lots of styles of housing as you can sort of see in the attached photo taken 6 weeks ago.
tim boyd

That is a good-looking site and pretty country side.

Good luck.