Hi,
I'm new and my colony is new, first time "landlord" here.
My martins, roughly 10-12, were very active and loud, especially in the morning. Over the last week or so they have gotten very quiet. Still coming and going entering the house/gourds but not the usual morning gathering that had been occurring for several weeks as more seemed to arrive.
I assume that the lack of socializing and making lots of noise is so they do not attract predators because they may be eggs/babies inside the homes. But again, I've never had Martin's so I have no idea.
Can anyone possibly explain or tell me if this is normal?
Thank you!!
Quiet Martins
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
Welcome! Initially, when the birds arrive there is a lot of activity as they choose and defend compartments. It sort of settles down as they figure it all out. There may not be alot of socializing early on, our birds went straight in and didnt socialise much.
Took a few weeks for them to socilise in the mornings and evenings.
Now it could very well mean there's a hawk around, martins naturally will go for cover. Have you noticed hawk attacks?
Tom
Took a few weeks for them to socilise in the mornings and evenings.
Now it could very well mean there's a hawk around, martins naturally will go for cover. Have you noticed hawk attacks?
Tom
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
Thanks for your answer!
That all makes sense, I definitely see them coming and going. This morning there were 4 or 5 flying high around the houses, not much noise though.
There are hawks around but I've seen the martins "gang up" on them early on, so the hawks appear to avoid the airspace, lol.
That all makes sense, I definitely see them coming and going. This morning there were 4 or 5 flying high around the houses, not much noise though.
There are hawks around but I've seen the martins "gang up" on them early on, so the hawks appear to avoid the airspace, lol.
Earlier this season I had lots of hawk attacks and my birds did the very same thing. Now that the hawks have moved on they are back to singing, chirping, and carrying on. I used decoys to deflect hawk attacks, air horns to scare them and a scarecrow dressed like me to confuse them. I think we made it through. Good luck!
Brent
Brent
Brent
If they are coming and going to the nests keep an eye on them. It sounds like nest building has started. Watch to see if the are carrying nest materials. It quiets down alot when they get busy building nest and feeding hatchlings. Also you could lower your housing mid afternoon and look to see if they have started.
Jeff