I'm new to this forum but joined because I'm trying to establish a colony in Alexandria, MN and could use some tips/info/advice. Has anyone in central MN seen subadults yet? I have a Troyer T14 that has been briefly visited by a couple ASYs but that's it. My housing is 14' high, has lawn around the base and a vegetable garden immediately next to the post. The area is quite open (some trees approx 40-50' to the east but there's about 100+ acres of open field to the immediate north). My home is directly to the south of my T14 and is only 35' from the martin post. I'm worried that it's too close? I had an established colony of martins in another part of the yard 3 years ago but that area was encroached upon by large trees and hawks became a problem (the reason I moved the location).
Anyway, I was hoping a few sub-adults would investigate this year but not sure if it's still too early? All I do now is lower the housing daily to clean out tree swallow material. I'd appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.
Subadults in central Minnesota
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randyM
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2015 2:30 pm
- Location: Long Lake SD
- Martin Colony History: * 2016 - 1 pair (ASYM + SYF) 2/3 eggs hatched 2 young fledged.
* 2017 - 4 pairs, 16/17 eggs hatched, 16 fledged, 16 banded - 2 banded SY returned in 2018 (12.5%)
* 2018 - 10 pairs, 46/52 eggs hatched, 45 fledged, 29 young banded - 3 banded SY returned in 2019 (10.3%)
*2019 - 32 pairs, 145/160 eggs hatched, 139 fledged - 87 young banded - 12 banded SY returned in 2020 (13.8%).
* 2020 - 35 pairs, 180/199 eggs hatched, 178 fledged - 150 young banded & 42 SY returned (28.0%)
* 2021 - 89 pairs, 363/446 eggs hatched, 355 fledged - 150 young banded & 19 SY returned (12.7%)
*2022 - 116 pairs, 495/579 eggs hatched, 471 fledged - 150 young banded & 27 SY returned (18.0%)
*2023 - 160 pairs, 708/828 eggs hatched, 572 fledged - 150 young banded & 38 SY returned (25.3%)
*2024 - 235 pairs, 950/1153 eggs hatched, 865 fledged - 100 young banded & 18 SY returned (18.0%)
*2025 - 200 pairs, 795/953 eggs hatched, 739 fledged - 200 young banded
I have a colony about 200 miles due west of Alexandria and I've had SY birds at my site for 10 days with more arriving daily. SY birds will continue to migrate and arrive for the next 3 weeks or so with nest initiation possible through most of June. If you have tree swallows building a nest in your T14, you should block all holes on the T14 and put one or two gourds on shepherd hooks 4-5' above the ground within 30' of your martin housing. If allowed to nest in the T14 the swallows will harass and try to chase off any investigating martins. Once the swallows build a nest and lay an egg in a gourd you should be able to open the cavities on the T14 again as the swallows will be less aggressive towards martins investigating the T14. After you have an established martin colony for a few years the martins will keep the tree swallows at bay on their own and they will coexist together just fine. I have dozens of tree swallows nesting around my martin housing each year, some in the same gourd rack as martins.
Great, Thanks for the reply. What's your opinion about 35' distance from my house? Is that too close for my martin housing? Also, would a small spinning wind measuring device (weather station) spook martins? It's about 5 feet off the ground, about 25 feet from the martin post.
Hello Schmidty.....we are around 90 miles east of you (near Milaca) and have an established site (52 pair last year and around 220 fledged)...the subadults are still rolling in so not to be concerned.... there's still plenty of time....I have a setup like Randy described with extra gourds for the tree swallows....haven't had a problem.....I am concerned that this year I have found 3 dead asy males....in the past, I've not found any dead except the occasional nestling and 1 fledgling.........you have plenty of lakes nearby so should see plenty of martins checking out your site......good luck brother.....mrk
Hello Schmidty.....we are around 90 miles east of you (near Milaca) and have an established site (52 pair last year and around 220 fledged)...the subadults are still rolling in so not to be concerned.... there's still plenty of time....I have a setup like Randy described with extra gourds for the tree swallows....haven't had a problem.....I am concerned that this year I have found 3 dead asy males....in the past, I've not found any dead except the occasional nestling and 1 fledgling.........you have plenty of lakes nearby so should see plenty of martins checking out your site......good luck brother.....mrk
Thanks Mark appreciate it. I have an older bluebird house that's in good condition. I'll set 'er up within 30' after closing up shop for awhile....maybe the tree swallows with go there. If martin housing that's 35' distance to my residence is too close to attract martins, pls someone let me know.
From what I have read here and also from personal experience when I had purple martins years ago - 35 feet is not too close to your home. They like people to be around and I had them that close without a problem. Good luck!
Billie from southern Wisconsin