Hey, I'm a new landlord to Purple Martins in Tennessee and I have had my gourds up since early March. I bought the Silver Series pack from PMCA with the Excluder II openings. I know not to expect to Adult birds the first year since this is a new site so that's not the issue. My issue is I have a bunch of Subadults (both male and female) that frequent my site daily and go in an out of the houses and just hang around, but are not nesting there. I've been excited to have so much activity with it being the first year at this site, but confused as to why none are staying or starting nests? I've started using Dawn Song this past week some in the early mornings and it has drastically increased the amount of Martins I am seeing at the site, but like I say they aren't staying. Please advise on any thoughts or ideas.
Thanks yall!
Newbie/Confused
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
Hi Jeremy,
Fisrt, congrats on even attracting SY martins your first year trying. Some people wait years before they even see a martin near their martin houses. When the DY martins are not around your houses, lower the houses and add a big handful of soft white pine needles in the bottom of the gourd or cavity. Next, smear a small amount of mud, just enough to discolor the outside of the entrances. In doing this, it will make your SY martins think that there was a used and successful pair there the year before. I believe you will see a few stay in the days ahead.
Fisrt, congrats on even attracting SY martins your first year trying. Some people wait years before they even see a martin near their martin houses. When the DY martins are not around your houses, lower the houses and add a big handful of soft white pine needles in the bottom of the gourd or cavity. Next, smear a small amount of mud, just enough to discolor the outside of the entrances. In doing this, it will make your SY martins think that there was a used and successful pair there the year before. I believe you will see a few stay in the days ahead.
Have you watched at dusk or dark to verify they are not spending the night? As Dave suggested, make it look lived in to give them the confidence to stay. Don't be afraid to play the dawn song all day long. Maybe a decoy or two, they are helpful with hawk attacks after your established as well.
Jeff
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3788
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
Another thing to watch is to confirm they are martins and not tree swallows. In this part of the country TS will flock to gourds very quickly after they are put up. I am not doubting your ID but many new landlords get TS and think they have martins. I was in that boat about 15 years ago.
I have had SY’s showing up for a few weeks and as of my last nest check they hadn’t started building nests yet, my ASY’s might have some eggs now. I’ll check my nest tomorrow.
I have had SY’s showing up for a few weeks and as of my last nest check they hadn’t started building nests yet, my ASY’s might have some eggs now. I’ll check my nest tomorrow.
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.
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.
Yeah these are Martins. I do have TS’s too but they stay around people’s house. Lol. I attached a pic from yesterday!
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jhcox
- Posts: 801
- Joined: Thu May 26, 2016 9:23 am
- Location: tennesse
- Martin Colony History: Started colony in 2014. 0 pairs
2015 0 pairs
2016 0 pairs
2017 0 pairs but visitors
2018 1 pair fledged 5
2019 10 pair
2020 25 pair
2021 42 Pair
2022 60 Pair
2023 72 Pair
2024 74 pair
2025 78 pair
Hey JeremyL what part of Tennessee do you live in. I was never able to get a mentor here in East Tn. But if you live in my neck of the Tennessee woods I am willing to assist you in any way I can. If not you are in the right place for lots of helpful ideas form the many long time landlords On this forum. Hope they stay and you have a great year.
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jhcox
- Posts: 801
- Joined: Thu May 26, 2016 9:23 am
- Location: tennesse
- Martin Colony History: Started colony in 2014. 0 pairs
2015 0 pairs
2016 0 pairs
2017 0 pairs but visitors
2018 1 pair fledged 5
2019 10 pair
2020 25 pair
2021 42 Pair
2022 60 Pair
2023 72 Pair
2024 74 pair
2025 78 pair
Well that’s a little to far for me to be able to help you but there are several Martin landlords in that area. I hope you can get a mentor in that area to assist you. Have a great season GO VOLS!!!
All of the ones I was seeing daily a week ago have all disappeared. So.....I’m back to looking at empty gourds. I did however put the pine needles in and muddied up the entrances like you suggested. So at least my new site has been visible to several so far but alittle discouraged that I don’t have any yet.
JeremyL wrote: ↑Fri May 29, 2020 11:57 amHey, I'm a new landlord to Purple Martins in Tennessee and I have had my gourds up since early March. I bought the Silver Series pack from PMCA with the Excluder II openings. I know not to expect to Adult birds the first year since this is a new site so that's not the issue. My issue is I have a bunch of Subadults (both male and female) that frequent my site daily and go in an out of the houses and just hang around, but are not nesting there. I've been excited to have so much activity with it being the first year at this site, but confused as to why none are staying or starting nests? I've started using Dawn Song this past week some in the early mornings and it has drastically increased the amount of Martins I am seeing at the site, but like I say they aren't staying. Please advise on any thoughts or ideas.
Thanks yall!
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Nice setup. Talk about diving in head first. Be patient and play the dawnsong all day everyday until there spending the night. It won’t scare them off it makes them think there’s an active colony and makes them want to stay and be a part of it.
Thank you for the kind words. As you know it gets frustrating at first but I know that one day they’ll show up and stay. I’ve been playing the song from 4am to 8am but not all day. I may try that tomorrow. Attached is a whole pic of my setup.
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Jeremy,
I don't know how I missed your posts. I am in Collierville, TN is ~100 miles WSW of Lexington, TN. How many times have I traveled on I-40, seen the exit for Lexington and not been there? Too busy to get to my destination is a lame answer.
I looked at your pictures including the setup and the close proximity to a field. With wide open flyways in your last picture I am baffled why you are not inundated with martins. You seem to have the first criteria covered - Location, location, location.
You have correctly identified a SY female and SY male in your picture.
I could come and visit your site but from your pictures it looks like a perfect setup and location for purple martins. Do not let anyone tell you it is too late. The SYs are still arriving and looking for housing. Housing means gourds and/or house. Either will attract martins in West TN with a slight tip in favor of gourds. The Excluder II entrances are great for martins and an excellent choice to exclude European Starlings. If you are out in a more rural area you will have less problems with English House Sparrows.
I assume that you have a pole predator guard in place. I know you don't have established martins yet but I believe you still have a chance this year and would encourage you to get a pole predator guard now.
Based upon the SWAG principle, you have a 50/50 chance of getting a couple of late SY pairs this year and 95% chance of martins next year because you have established your colony on the martin map this year.
I don't know how I missed your posts. I am in Collierville, TN is ~100 miles WSW of Lexington, TN. How many times have I traveled on I-40, seen the exit for Lexington and not been there? Too busy to get to my destination is a lame answer.
I looked at your pictures including the setup and the close proximity to a field. With wide open flyways in your last picture I am baffled why you are not inundated with martins. You seem to have the first criteria covered - Location, location, location.
You have correctly identified a SY female and SY male in your picture.
I could come and visit your site but from your pictures it looks like a perfect setup and location for purple martins. Do not let anyone tell you it is too late. The SYs are still arriving and looking for housing. Housing means gourds and/or house. Either will attract martins in West TN with a slight tip in favor of gourds. The Excluder II entrances are great for martins and an excellent choice to exclude European Starlings. If you are out in a more rural area you will have less problems with English House Sparrows.
I assume that you have a pole predator guard in place. I know you don't have established martins yet but I believe you still have a chance this year and would encourage you to get a pole predator guard now.
Based upon the SWAG principle, you have a 50/50 chance of getting a couple of late SY pairs this year and 95% chance of martins next year because you have established your colony on the martin map this year.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Thank you so much for the kind words. I’ve had several other Martin guys from this area tell me that I should have them soon. And like i say I see them a lot but they always leave me. I’m currently having issues with bluebirds. I’ve been destroying their nests daily and have even plugged some gourd holes. But.......they build back the next day. I’ve put a few bluebird boxes out yesterday in hopes they’ll swap to them but other than 
idk what else to do. Everyone here keeps telling me it’s pretty late to get them going now this year but I’m not giving up!!
idk what else to do. Everyone here keeps telling me it’s pretty late to get them going now this year but I’m not giving up!!4th Gen Martin Fan wrote: ↑Thu Jun 04, 2020 12:49 amJeremy,
I don't know how I missed your posts. I am in Collierville, TN is ~100 miles WSW of Lexington, TN. How many times have I traveled on I-40, seen the exit for Lexington and not been there? Too busy to get to my destination is a lame answer.
I looked at your pictures including the setup and the close proximity to a field. With wide open flyways in your last picture I am baffled why you are not inundated with martins. You seem to have the first criteria covered - Location, location, location.
You have correctly identified a SY female and SY male in your picture.
I could come and visit your site but from your pictures it looks like a perfect setup and location for purple martins. Do not let anyone tell you it is too late. The SYs are still arriving and looking for housing. Housing means gourds and/or house. Either will attract martins in West TN with a slight tip in favor of gourds. The Excluder II entrances are great for martins and an excellent choice to exclude European Starlings. If you are out in a more rural area you will have less problems with English House Sparrows.
I assume that you have a pole predator guard in place. I know you don't have established martins yet but I believe you still have a chance this year and would encourage you to get a pole predator guard now.
Based upon the SWAG principle, you have a 50/50 chance of getting a couple of late SY pairs this year and 95% chance of martins next year because you have established your colony on the martin map this year.
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Bluebirds and tree swallows dominating a martin house is definitely an issue. The timid SY martins will have a hard time taking the martin house away from the bluebirds or tree swallows.
Alternative housing that you have offered for the bluebirds is an excellent idea!
Alternative housing that you have offered for the bluebirds is an excellent idea!
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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Rediwill
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2016 12:06 pm
- Location: fredericksburg, va
- Martin Colony History: 2016 6/1 Pole put up late due to HOA . Had visitor birds but no pairs that stayed.
2017 3/1 visitor birds but no pairs that stayed.
2018 3/1 visitor birds but no pairs that stayed.
2019 3/1 visitor birds but no pairs that stayed. Brothers Martins didn’t show up at all at his pole 10 miles away.
2020 7/30 Had 3 pairs, 1st- 5 eggs/ 2nd hatched 2 fledged, 2nd - 5 eggs/ 2-5 hatched fledging. 3rd formed late July and no nest built.
2021 3/1 no pairs returned. One lone male hung out few days then left. Weather was bad.
2022 6/1 one pair all four eggs that hatched fledged. I’ve had 6-8 visitors.
2023 6/15 Eleven pairs 4-6 babies per nest. 51 babies total hatched. Will start fledging July 4th until end of July. I am in total shock.....Wow
I had similar issues. I dealt with the HOSP using repeating ground trap and one gourd trap if the HOSP was determined and laid eggs. I would tear their nest but it would be remade the next day. Gourd trap those. Once I handled my HOSP issue in came the bluebirds and tree swallows. I put up three blue bird boxes about 35-50 feet from the pole and one higher up hoping ts would use it. The blue birds did take over two of the boxes and just used the pole as a perch. Tree swallows was a two day adventure. Me and a broom batting them away. They finally got the picture. Luckily a Asy male showed up and very quickly called in a female. He started to keep the ts and blue birds away himself. Another pair joined him both subadults. The four Martins claimed the pole.
I think you can do the same at your location. I do like gourds with tunnels so I would add a few and see if they like the depth. You can add tunnels to your gourds later if you like. Just my preference. Keep protecting the site and let the Martins see you around. I think you will have success and if not this year next.
Red
I think you can do the same at your location. I do like gourds with tunnels so I would add a few and see if they like the depth. You can add tunnels to your gourds later if you like. Just my preference. Keep protecting the site and let the Martins see you around. I think you will have success and if not this year next.
Red
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
I could not have expressed it more eloquently than Red did in the last post. Exterminate HOSP and EUST. Entice TS and BB to other housing better suited for them. Let the Martins know you are around and you will get Purple Martins.
All the colonies I supervise are full so I put up a new Bo9 with tunnel gourd to see if a SY pair take up residence this late in the season. Granted the new gourd is among a very busy and ideally located colony but it will prove that SY martins are still migrating through West TN.
I would send the martins to your new colony in Lexington, TN and all great new colonies if it worked that way.
All the colonies I supervise are full so I put up a new Bo9 with tunnel gourd to see if a SY pair take up residence this late in the season. Granted the new gourd is among a very busy and ideally located colony but it will prove that SY martins are still migrating through West TN.
I would send the martins to your new colony in Lexington, TN and all great new colonies if it worked that way.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
The bluebirds have moved on now 
and so my new site is available again!!!! This morning I started Dawnsong at around 4am and then when I got up around 7:30 there was at least 12-15 Martins on my site, (Most being SY’s) in the gourds and buzzing around overhead. They were everywhere. I sat in amazement and just listened to them Dawnsong back at me. However, after about 20 mins of that they all just flew off and moved on. There’s been a few fly over through out the day but once again none of them stayed with me. And in fact the later in the afternoon today I didn’t see any at all.....guess they just were feeling frisky this morn and came to visit from someone else’s site. 
Still an amazing thing to witness....
and so my new site is available again!!!! This morning I started Dawnsong at around 4am and then when I got up around 7:30 there was at least 12-15 Martins on my site, (Most being SY’s) in the gourds and buzzing around overhead. They were everywhere. I sat in amazement and just listened to them Dawnsong back at me. However, after about 20 mins of that they all just flew off and moved on. There’s been a few fly over through out the day but once again none of them stayed with me. And in fact the later in the afternoon today I didn’t see any at all.....guess they just were feeling frisky this morn and came to visit from someone else’s site. 
Still an amazing thing to witness....