When to open or keep closed while in arrival study window

[Jones4381]

Age old question I'm sure but what are the habits of keeping compartments closed or open while waiting for first arrivals? TS just showed up the last 5 days and the BB as well checking out cavities set out for them. I keep all closed until i hear or see any martins in the area to keep competitive nesters out. Is that the correct ploy or should one keep some open as I only observe the area hour out of the day max this time of year.

[Badger]

I have 48 gourds on 2 poles. About this time of year i open 2 up on each pole. if another bird starts a nest i close that gourd and open another on a different side of the pole. I keep doing this until my martins start to come. As the martins come I keep opening a few more until I open all of them. This works for me.

[flyin-lowe]

Before I had an established colony I would keep my housing closed up until the tree swallows started nesting, because if not they would instantly go to the martin housing. In my area TS typically arrive several weeks before the martins. I would then open a few cavities on my PM housing and assuming no competitors tried to move in I would leave them open. If I saw BB's. TS, or anything else trying to move in I would close them back up.

Now that I have an established colony I leave everything closed up until I see martins at my housing. Returning martins will not leave right away if there is not a cavity opened when they first arrive. Back in 2012 I moved from my old house. The new owners did not want the housing left up and did not put any up the following spring. I checked the property and as the martins arrived they stuck around for about a week just flying around waiting on their housing to be put up. After about a week they took off to find new housing.

[CTMartins]

Are you providing housing for the TS? I think landlords should as they're trying to make a life too.

[Jones4381]

Are you providing housing for the TS? I think landlords should as they're trying to make a life too.

Yes sir friend, we love our Blue Birds and Tree Swallows...there alot of fun and adds to the whole process for us....BB's nest first/hatch, then tree's, then PM's...kind of gives us non stop action like our southern friends who have the PM's for more months than we do in the middle and northern states. Seems around here their all separated 14-21 days amongst the 3 species which also adds to different activities...Those Blue Birds bring us so much joy in the later winter months as they signify the beginning of it all and we come out of our winter blues... Peace

[Jones4381]

Thanks flying lowe and Badger...getting a little ancy around here...

[CTMartins]

How do the TS know whats for them and what do they typically take to a single gourd?

[Thomabear]

I do the same as flyin-lowe. When they show up, I open up. If I see sparrows landing on the housing before I open up, I will open a couple cavities that provide a good shot.

[Buckeye658793]

What I have done for Tree Swallows the last 2 years is I left 1 gourd open for them on my gourd rack as soon as I see them pairing up and making a nest I move that gourd to a shepherds hook about 30 feet away it works I have had TS successfully fledge young both years.

[CTMartins]

What I have done for Tree Swallows the last 2 years is I left 1 gourd open for them on my gourd rack as soon as I see them pairing up and making a nest I move that gourd to a shepherds hook about 30 feet away it works I have had TS successfully fledge young both years.

How high is the Shepard's hook?

[Jones4381]

I do the same as flyin-lowe. When they show up, I open up. If I see sparrows landing on the housing before I open up, I will open a couple cavities that provide a good shot.

Exactly...agree...I have never seen the first arrival...family member calls and tells me a about it...kinda neat in its own way. I don't think I'll ever see the first even though I follow it the most lol... I'm all closed at present and will open when they show up in the mtns of SW VA. Thanks all.