Returning?

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
Cjs180
Posts: 42
Joined: Thu May 28, 2020 8:17 pm
Location: Oshkosh WI

Last year we had our first pair. They only fledged 1. This year they have not returned yet. Is there still time for them to return? Some in WI are still reporting Martins showing up in the past week.

I did change my housing from last year getting rid of my aluminum house with a few gourds hanging under it to a nice 12 unit gourd rack from this site. Last year’s pair nested in a gourd. The new housing is in the exact same place.

Thanks in advance. Chris
Top
Habsboy
Posts: 46
Joined: Fri May 11, 2018 5:38 pm
Location: Gesto, Ontario

Just got my one pair back last week just after the snow. Also have a single male here too. He was constantly around last summer with my breeding pair. You should get them back soon. I think they move in when weather is favourable.
Top
deancamp
Posts: 873
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2016 9:17 pm
Location: Raymore, MO

If you only had one pair last year, I would be playing the dawnsong, decoy, prenesting, etc. as if you are starting from scratch in case your pair did not survive their migration journey. You need to be drawing in more birds regardless. My 2 cents.
Jeff
Top
Cjs180
Posts: 42
Joined: Thu May 28, 2020 8:17 pm
Location: Oshkosh WI

We are playing the dawnsong. I did not put decoys up as last year my pair would dive bomb the decoy. I will remove the perch bars that came with my setup as the tree swallows always land on them.
Top
Cjs180
Posts: 42
Joined: Thu May 28, 2020 8:17 pm
Location: Oshkosh WI

Update, yesterday a ASY male and female showed up and hung around for a while. Looks like they were probably 3 year olds. They were back again this morning so maybe that is my pair from last year. Hope they stick around.
Top
deancamp
Posts: 873
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2016 9:17 pm
Location: Raymore, MO

Good Luck Chris, that is definitely a good sign. Keep us posted.
Jeff
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Purple Martin Forum”