Need some thoughts on this ASY subject!!

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Ransom Graham
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2018 9:13 pm
Location: Newton, NC

I am in my 2nd year at a new location of course trying to attract Martin's. I live in central N.C. . Last year no SY Martin's at all that I saw visited. A lone ASY Male visited a couple times but only stayed for a few minutes. This year a lone Adult Male has visited about every 2 to 3 weeks since March 30th. He circles and rarely lands but it is always early in the morning around 7am. There are several old colonies within 5 to 6 miles of me. For the life of me I can't figure out what he is doing. How is he here so early and why does he keep coming back? No SY's so far this year. I know he is not staying the night!
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flyin-lowe
Posts: 3788
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
Location: Indiana/Henry Co.

I am not sure of their schedule in your area but they will be out singing the down song very early in the morning certain time of year. Way before 7:00 am so it could just be dropping by to see what is up. It is hard to guess on what he is doing, assuming you are seeing the same martin. Do you play the dawn song yourself? If so that could be what is drawing him in to your yard.
2026 HOSP 26
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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Ransom Graham
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2018 9:13 pm
Location: Newton, NC

Yes I play the dawn song everyday from 4 to 7 and sometimes all day now. I realize they sing this in the early hours before dawn but I thought it was usually above their own colony! He would have to travel along ways. I really believe it's the same bird but I could be wrong. Just seems odd because dawnsong naturally starts here around the 1st week of May along with egglaying.
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Spiderman
Posts: 991
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:19 am
Location: Gladewater, Texas

A Purple Martin can fly 40mph, 5 or 6 miles isn't that far if you think about it.

He may not be paired up and is still looking for a mate.
Colony started in 2002

Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds

2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS

*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
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Ransom Graham
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2018 9:13 pm
Location: Newton, NC

UPDATE : Well he came back again this afternoon only he has a sy female with him this time. It's amazing after all this time he finally found a mate. He is putting on quite a show out there right now so I will update if they stay!! This has made my season no matter what!!
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randyM
Posts: 254
Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2015 2:30 pm
Location: Long Lake SD
Martin Colony History: * 2016 - 1 pair (ASYM + SYF) 2/3 eggs hatched 2 young fledged.
* 2017 - 4 pairs, 16/17 eggs hatched, 16 fledged, 16 banded - 2 banded SY returned in 2018 (12.5%)
* 2018 - 10 pairs, 46/52 eggs hatched, 45 fledged, 29 young banded - 3 banded SY returned in 2019 (10.3%)
*2019 - 32 pairs, 145/160 eggs hatched, 139 fledged - 87 young banded - 12 banded SY returned in 2020 (13.8%).
* 2020 - 35 pairs, 180/199 eggs hatched, 178 fledged - 150 young banded & 42 SY returned (28.0%)
* 2021 - 89 pairs, 363/446 eggs hatched, 355 fledged - 150 young banded & 19 SY returned (12.7%)
*2022 - 116 pairs, 495/579 eggs hatched, 471 fledged - 150 young banded & 27 SY returned (18.0%)
*2023 - 160 pairs, 708/828 eggs hatched, 572 fledged - 150 young banded & 38 SY returned (25.3%)
*2024 - 235 pairs, 950/1153 eggs hatched, 865 fledged - 100 young banded & 18 SY returned (18.0%)
*2025 - 200 pairs, 795/953 eggs hatched, 739 fledged - 200 young banded

Sounds encouraging...keep us posted. Best of luck!
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Ransom Graham
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2018 9:13 pm
Location: Newton, NC

Update. After looking closer I have 1 asy Male and 1 sy Male hanging out at different times during the day. They leave for longer periods of time now but keep coming back each day! Still I have not seen them sleep overnight.
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