PMs started nesting then left NJ

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nickdelnj
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:05 am
Location: NJ

2nd year in a row I have had 2-3 nests started and then after 1-2 weeks everyone is gone. Last year I had 3 good nests with mud dams and started to bring green leaves too. Also had several singles hanging out and looking into other chambers both gourds and house, then bam...they're gone. This year I had about 5-8 birds, some singles and some paired up, going in, bringing nesting material...the bam they're gone again. I'm pretty diligent about monitoring and ridding HOSPs and starlings. At this point in the year, are they still migrating into the eastern NJ area? All of the local established colonies have plenty of adults and subadults nesting. My housing has a lot of open space and I'm near salt marshes and lagoon property. Quite frustrated. Thanks
PM house.jpg
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Phil01
Posts: 215
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:42 pm
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Martin Colony History: 34 Cavities offered.
24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.

2020- 1 pair, 4 eggs, fledged 3
2021- 3 pair, 15 eggs, fledged 8
2022- 5 pair, 26 eggs, fledged 21
2023- 10 pair, 53 eggs, fledged 27

PMCA Member

When they all leave suddenly it can be a sign of predation. Maybe I’m missing it, but I’m not seeing any predator guards on the poles?
Looks like a great area for martins!
Phil
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
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C.C.Martins
Posts: 2879
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
Location: Corpus Christi Tx
Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair.
HOSP: 52 Starlings: 29
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 36 PMCA excluder gourds, 6 room trio mini castle with troyer tunnels and enlarged compartments.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair,
PMCA member

Second Phil, sorry they all took off like that. Something drove them out...you need predator guards and while your at it,, snake netting on the pole. It may be too late but you never know, if your neighbors aren't protecting them and you do, you may very well get their birds.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
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flyin-lowe
Posts: 3582
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
Location: Indiana/Henry Co.

My guess is a snake is your problem. It will come back every year until you get a guard of some type to stop it.
2024 HOSP count-26
2023 60+ pair, HOSP count-8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP count-14
2021 62 nest fledged aprox. 230, HOSP count-9
2020 42 nest, Fledged 164, HOSP count-8
2019- 31 Pair over 100 fledged
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair nested, 12 eggs total, fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles away, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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nickdelnj
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:05 am
Location: NJ

Lived here for 4 years and nave never seen snakes or any signs of snakes(shed skin, etc.) but I'll put up protection. Does anyone know if they are still migrating into the eastern NJ area?
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C.C.Martins
Posts: 2879
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
Location: Corpus Christi Tx
Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair.
HOSP: 52 Starlings: 29
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 36 PMCA excluder gourds, 6 room trio mini castle with troyer tunnels and enlarged compartments.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair,
PMCA member

Its a good idea, never know.

As far as your question about migration, coming from deep south texas experience...I don't know...but I will say many many colonies started out with ASY birds, my own colony started very late by ASYs. Id suggest run it like they are coming tomorrow.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
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Martintown33
Posts: 1029
Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
Location: Laplace,La
Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack

Agree with the others.. sounds like a predator problem.. the others mentioned snakes as a possibility.. do you have hawks or owls around?
Best of luck,
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
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nickdelnj
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:05 am
Location: NJ

I haven't seen or heard owls. There are smaller hawks, coopers, sharp shinned, but there are grackles, mockingbirds, robins that gang up on them and crows to chase them away. I closed up the gourds and house because I now have tree swallows hanging around. I have 2 natural gourds along a tree line hoping they'd take up residence there but they are very persistent. No HOSPs or starlings harassing the housing. I'm also thinking the PMs are liking other more established colonies nearby because there are a lot in my area. Many of the nearby established housing does not have predator guards up, but some do. Gunna keep working at it. Thaks for all the responses.
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