New house up and when to expect Martins in my area

[Brian]

I'm new to this as I put up a house this past week and want to confirm what time of the year I may hopefully expect Martin's to find the house. I heard that the first year or so until you establish a colony that it will be later than if you previously had Martins.

If you previously had Martins then you would place your house in February and can expect Martins in March. Whereas, if no previous established colony then can place the house in May and could possibly have Martins find the house in June. Is this correct? I'm from central PA and would be nice to know when these younger Martins come to my area looking for their first house.

[CTMartins]

Click here for arrival report for PA this year. Playing the "dawn song" is key so they know you're there. Get some speaker and download the song and play it most of the day. Or you can purchase a PM speaker which is already setup.


https://www.purplemartin.org/research/s ... =2022&S=PA

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BIRD-X-SONGBIR ... 3801044892

[BillieJR]

Welcome, Brian. I think what you've been told/heard is pretty spot on. It can take years to be successful and then again, some (lucky) people are successful their first year. This is my 5th year of having gourds and haven't had any that stay and start a colony yet. I've had an occasional overnighter and even one that stayed for about a month while trying to get a mate, to no avail, apparently, and then he finally left. That was last year. Don't become discouraged if it takes you longer than you imagined it would. I think I even read that someone here took 20 years to get a colony. I sure hope we don't have to wait that long. Good luck - I hope this is "our" year.

[ArnieHart]

2nd year on 18 place house. Was really disappointed last year because I'm spoiled
Every time we move I put up a new house Memorial weekend and would have birds within 2-3 days until last year.
This year I raised the house 4' added 4 decoys and an automatic call.
Tonight at least 2 pair and 2 single males entered 2-4 compartments multiple times over a 2 hour period. But none spent the night

[BillieJR]

Welcome, ArnieHart! I'm sorry for your disappointment. I know the feeling. Good luck - I hope you get some to stay. I hope we both do.

[AndyShutterbug]

Around my Collegeville PA site I had not heard a peep (other than my "music" from the Songbird Magnet) so far this year. Then all of a sudden yesterday there were 5 or 6, including adults, buzzing the tower and checking things out. Looks like I might have a pair hanging out today. I can tell that the music is key because the new birds sit on the perching rods right next to it (trying to find the other birds I guess). I've run the 12V(?) power wire through a small PVC pipe sunk in the grass to protect it and it runs up inside my critter guard so as to not provide a path to the top.

Seems so late in the year given that my bluebirds have fledged and the tree swallows are getting there. Hopefully they can get some eggs going soon. Fingers crossed for both of us.

[BillieJR]

AndyShutterbug - I do hope they stay for you. I'm still waiting, too. Lots of visitors - hoping some of them will decide they like what we have to offer. Keep us posted. Good luck!