Dawnsong

[hmouch12]

Newbie here..... I’ve been playing the dawnsong for about a week or two and I finally have a pair that is building a nest in one of my gourds. I noticed when I started playing it I was seeing anywhere between 8-10 martins flying around going in my house and gourds. So far only one pair is building a nest. My question is, should I continue to play the dawnsong even though I now have a nesting pair or should I continue to play it each morning?

[deancamp]

Probably going to get different opinions on this one. Martins are the best Martin attractant and your nesting pair might very well draw more in. I don't think it hurts to play it as long as you don't see that your nesting pair is taking exception to it. My thought process is that if you can help your nesting pair draw more lookers in there is a better chance more might stay. Maybe play it when there not around and see what kind of a reaction you get.

[Heavy_D]

Congratulations on the nesting pair! From what I've been told you should be able to discontinue the dawn song. These birds that are building the nest will do the singing for you now.

I'm in my 3rd year of trying. First year I had a pair get as far as laying 2 eggs but the female disappeared a few days after laying the 2nd egg. I think a predator got her while she was off the nest.

Last year I had twice as many visitors as year one and a pair started a nest but for some reason they left prior to laying eggs.

So far this year I've had a couple of ASY birds visit but I think they were visiting from another colony. I'm still waiting for the SY birds to show up this year.

[hmouch12]

Thanks! I let it play today and they seemed to be fine with it. I may just play for an hour or so in the morning and see what happens. The pair appear to be two young martins, the male is a sub adult. I did see some mature martins on my house and perches two days ago but haven’t seen them since. All I know is it’s fun after not getting any last year!

[flyin-lowe]

If it doesn't bother them then likely no problem playing it. I had martins that seemed confused and were constantly swooping and landing on my player so I would shut mine off as soon as I had visitors Like was said above, nothing works better then the real thing....

[Dave Duit]

Congrats on the pair. The first year is very important watching after the needs of a new pair. Your future colony will build with numbers if the survive through their first season and return next year.

[randy741985]

Is the Ideal time to play the dawn song, between the hours of 4am and 7am? Been playing it at that time but haven't seen any martins early in the morning I did see 2 Martins this past Saturday and Sunday about 10AM. Look like a ASY male and female the male going in and out and the female just perching. They could have been just visiting.

Thanks