No birds yet

[ltwalsh]

Had one visitor almost a month ago and nothing since. Starting to panic. Anyone else in Central Florida having issues?

[SSMartin]

What is your sites history? Any issues with predators last season?

[ltwalsh]

Had 3 mating pair last year. Two pair hacked 8 eggs. The third pair disappeared? Eggs never hatched. i have a 16 compartment house converted to 8. There was a occasional hawk visiting and a crow now and then but did not see any birds taken.

This will be our 4th year at this location. One single pair the first two years.

I haven’t seen any PM activity at other locations around here yet. Hoping it’s just a late start.

[Conrad Baker]

How many houses in your colony, and what type are they? Where is the closest active colony?

[SSMartin]

Do you have a snake guard on your housing? I have seen thriving colonies abandoned over snakes.

Just to give you an idea I’m on the opposite side of the state from you on the east coast. I counted 60 martins over my site last evening. You should be seeing birds in the area at other known sites.

You may want to play the dawn song. It’s possible your martins from last year simply didn’t survive since they were not strong in numbers yet.

[flyin-lowe]

Statistically the research shows you need to have 6 nesting pair to ensure you will have returning martins the following year. From the time they migrate south, spend the winter, and then make the migration back north there are a lot of losses. The younger the colony the later they return. I am not familiar with the typical dates in your area. The visitor you saw weeks ago was it kind of a stop and go or did it stay around for a few days? It's not unheard of for martins migrating to stop by and spend the night.

[ltwalsh]

Thanks for the feed back. I have only one house with 8 compartments. i do have a snake guard on the pole.

Playing the purple martin chatter CD all day.

[Conrad Baker]

It might be difficult, but Martins like the company of other Martins around, so put up at least one more house if you can. Two more would be ideal.

[SSMartin]

Please keep us updated and hoping some return soon for you.

[ltwalsh]

it took a while. Had a visitor every once in a white. But finally around the 15 of March I had one guy staying. i now have 3 pair build nest!!

Very happy and blessed to have my next Martin season started.

i guess my guys are just late returners?

Thanks for all the support and help.

[SSMartin]

Great to hear some finally showed up. Maybe something happened to the bulk of them from last season but some finally found their way. I hope you have lots of success moving forward.

[birdman in buckhead]

Very happy that you now have martins. And WOW, nest building after only 2 weeks is amazing! My birds are normally here about 4 weeks before nest building begins. Could be the difference in location and temperatures. We still have temps in the 30's at night in northern central GA until mid-April.