Martins Predawn Song Queston.

[randy741985]

Does anybody Know How far Martins travel from Their nest when singing the Dawn Song in the predawn Hours? I ask because I have them over head at my house for the last two morning singing the dawn song.
This is my 4th. year trying to get Martins.The closest Martin Colony to me is about a Half mile that I know of. But it is defiantly Martins singing the dawn song.

[Rafke77]

I've never seen ours leave our gourds in the morning. What I've noticed is at dusk they come out onto the perch rods and start singing. As the sun comes out and warms everything up, they tend to start flying around. For the most part, I can see how far mine go, they do large loops, out a hundred yards or so and return. By mid morning they start disappearing for longer times and to distances I can't see.

However, with that other colony so close to yours, you should be getting some of the offspring from them if they're successful. I've heard a few people say that a small fraction return to the gourds they were born at, with others returning to the "area" they were born. Are you playing the dawn song in the morning when they are flying around you?

[C.C.Martins]

Well that is a good question. I have not heard ours singing yet- full force anyway, but some of the males have been mixing the dawn song in their repituar as they fly around. Few years now males have been either on their porches singing pre dawn or fly way up and sing. As to how far they go, can't be too far...only experience iv had is early morning walks before work and if I go about 3 blocks over I can't hear them. Was it the wind, don't know.
As to your question, iv heard that they sing it to advertise their site to others? You should not have long to wait, surely you've had visitors?
Like to hear what others say. Man, I love that sound.

[randy741985]

I've never seen ours leave our gourds in the morning. What I've noticed is at dusk they come out onto the perch rods and start singing. As the sun comes out and warms everything up, they tend to start flying around. For the most part, I can see how far mine go, they do large loops, out a hundred yards or so and return. By mid morning they start disappearing for longer times and to distances I can't see.

However, with that other colony so close to yours, you should be getting some of the offspring from them if they're successful. I've heard a few people say that a small fraction return to the gourds they were born at, with others returning to the "area" they were born. Are you playing the dawn song in the morning when they are flying around you?

Yes I have been playing it in the morning about a hour before day break. But for the last few days I heard them before I started playing it. Maybe they have started coming because I had been playing it.

[deancamp]

I have heard mine singing the dawnsong last year and again this year. Last year I heard a few of them overhead at dawn. This year I have heard a single male the last 2 mornings at dawn singing from the gourd racks. I would imagine when they're up high singing it would carry for some distance.

[Rafke77]

Yes I have been playing it in the morning about a hour before day break. But for the last few days I heard them before I started playing it. Maybe they have started coming because I had been playing it.

I would have to agree with you. Have you had any luck since you originally posted?

[randy741985]

Yes I have been playing it in the morning about a hour before day break. But for the last few days I heard them before I started playing it. Maybe they have started coming because I had been playing it.

I would have to agree with you. Have you had any luck since you originally posted?

No, I hadn't seen any vistors lately, this has probably been my worst year so far.

[Rafke77]

No, I hadn't seen any vistors lately, this has probably been my worst year so far.

Don't give up, this year's been very wacky. Mine have showed up much later than normal, They are still showing up now, A few more each day. I still haven't seen many second years so I'm hoping those will increase the numbers.