When to unblock the entrances for new housing?

[frankw1]

I'm attempting to establish a new nesting site. Gourd racks are up with holes plugged.

It is my understanding that the adults will typically return to their previous nesting site, and that the second years (fledglings last year) are the ones that will come looking for new site, so I assume my best option is to try and appeal to the SYs.

I see that scouts have arrived in my area (North Texas), but how will I know when it's time to pull the plugs for the SYs? Is it just a perfect timing thing? Should I wait until I see some around my gourds and then unblock, or unblock now for them to find. Typically how far behind the first wave are SYs?

Thank in advance

[Roymg]

I unlock mine when they come a knocking and It'll help keep other birds out.

[Whippy]

Frank,

Being in Plano I'm not far from you. There is a large population of Martins that come though our area. You'll most likely see some ASY males before you see the SY birds. An ASY male will land on your system and have a look around. Hopefully you'll be around to see that so you can unplug them. I see in your signature that you have Conley entrances so starlings won't be an issue but I assume you have sparrows over there that you are protecting from.

ASY's are just now coming into the area as you saw. If you don't have a real big sparrow problem go ahead and open one up just in case an ASY comes calling while you are gone. If the sparrows are that much of problem, try to be around enough to see them come in.

Last year I went from 18 to 29 pairs. In the beginning of that year, I was covered up in ASY males. I have no idea where they all came from but I suspect a good many of them were SY birds that hung out here the year before. In addition chances are some of them were recruited. So I guess what I'm saying is don't rely only on seeing SY Martins. Give the ASY's a chance as they just may be there before you know it.

Good luck to you.

Coolwhips

[Spiderman]

I think your over thinking it.

There are many Martin landlords that become to old to maintain their systems and people move every day so I wouldn’t ignore ASY’s arriving. I would open up the gourds now.

If you have a sparrow problem you will have to deal with them at some point.

I use round holes in all of my gourds and just trap the Starlings before the Martins arrive, sparrows aren’t an issue for me here.

[C.C.Martins]

You never know what land lords at established sites have gone though. If their martin house doesn't go up, those ASY birds will be looking for a home.
A new site, chances are you will attract SY birds as you point out. Their due to arrive through texas in big numbers April and May. Chances are your first lookers will be SYs but no telling, we got an ASY pair first, soon after more followed him. Conversely at our satelite site, SY birds were first.
Protect from sparrows best you can, as whippy pointed out. Open some of the upper cavities when you see the subbies arrive in your area but again allow zero sparrows.
Best of luck sir, its alot of work in the management of two sites. But its oh so rewarding.
Tom

[deancamp]

I would say open them up now. A lot of colonies are started with ASY birds, including mine. I did an unscientific survey on this site a couple years ago and it wasn't even close, most colonies were started by an ASY. You should also be playing the dawn song. Decoys and prenested gourds would help as well.

[Bird Brain]

I say never plug up holes. Better to shoot sparrows during the off season than deal with sparrow after the martins arrive. You can't deal with sparrows with plugged up holes. Rid your area of sparrows before the martins arrive. The martins will be grateful.

[Jones4381]

Good question and I'm not for sure what the exact right answer is. I leave my units plugged until early spring here in VA. Sparrows usually begin nesting around this time so it becomes inevitable you'll have to control the sparrow population if you wish to be a successful landlord as they will try to inhabit the cavities presented before the martins arrive. Here Martins arrive from beginning of March to Mid may so its a long time to monitor and control. Last year I'd almost given up when on May 7th an ASY was laying on a porch, within 4 days there were 3 additional PMs hanging out eventually leading to a successful pair and a SY male that hung around until the babies hatched. Good luck as I choose to shoot the sparrows once they've located my site and the male begins that chirp to attract a female. I only had to take out 5 or 6 last year but I have a large plot of land and no neighbors to concern myself with regarding the use of my .22 rifle.

[Thomabear]

I say never plug up holes. Better to shoot sparrows during the off season than deal with sparrow after the martins arrive. You can't deal with sparrows with plugged up holes. Rid your area of sparrows before the martins arrive. The martins will be grateful.

This is my strategy starting this year. I have opened the entrances that provides good shots without the risk of shooting holes in my houses. I’m shootings a PCP 22 cal pellet rifle that will penetrate 3/4 plywood so I have to place my shots according to what is behind my target since it will penetrate them and the house.

[Jones4381]

Thomabear,

Are the HOSP's any less this year compared to last year? I see you exterminated quite a few in 2021 and have read everyone's post in LA area concerning Ida and the reduction in many species it appears. I see you getting a few but quite a ways to go compared to 2021.

[Thomabear]

Thomabear,

Are the HOSP's any less this year compared to last year? I see you exterminated quite a few in 2021 and have read everyone's post in LA area concerning Ida and the reduction in many species it appears. I see you getting a few but quite a ways to go compared to 2021.

Yes they are few and far in between this year. Last year I caught and shot most of them during nesting season (many juveniles) but by this time last year I had quite a few more. Looks like their numbers have been reduced by a lot but I see that as a good thing.

[frankw1]

I think your over thinking it.

That doesn't surprise me. I usually overcomplicate

Plugs are pulled, Dawn Song is playing and I'm armed with binoculars and my Gamo .177 (with scope)

[Jones4381]

I think your over thinking it.

That doesn't surprise me. I usually overcomplicate

Plugs are pulled, Dawn Song is playing and I'm armed with binoculars and my Gamo .177 (with scope)

Lol...best reply ever

[Conrad Baker]

deleted

[Conrad Baker]

I think your over thinking it.

That doesn't surprise me. I usually overcomplicate

Plugs are pulled, Dawn Song is playing and I'm armed with binoculars and my Gamo .177 (with scope)

Frankw1, if you want to greatly improve your Gamo, check out charliedatuna for a replacement trigger. For about $35 and 10 minutes time, you can greatly improve that air rifle and turn it into a Sparrow killing machine.

[Spiderman]

You can shoot the starlings and sparrows with the Martins sitting on the house or gourd rack.

After a couple of times the Martins will just sit there and watch them fall to the ground.

Martins hate them too.

[Dave Reynolds]

.... Your right Spiderman.... I have shot Starling off of my gourd rack and the Martins sitting on the rack, never flinch.. They just watch them fall to the ground... Birds seem to know who you are shootings at..

Dave