After 3 years of trying to attract martins to my new location, I finally had 3 show up. One male & female showed a lot of interest in one of the gourds. They spent 4 days in & out of one particular gourd, flying, chattering, etc. Then rain set in for a few days and they have not returned. I haven't seen or heard them at all for days now.
Has anyone else had this happen? I was so hopeful that since they were here four days, that they liked it and would stay to nest. I'm still playing the song bird magnet for several hours daily. I have several housing options available, all with pine needles.
Thanks
They Came, Stayed, and Left
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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 2441
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
- Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
- Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged
Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged
,,, That is kind of common with a new site... But I have seen them come back in a few days and set up house keeping... So you are good... Hang in there... 
Dave
Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio
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Thomas Maddox
- Posts: 580
- Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:23 pm
- Location: Sulphur, Louisiana
I agree with Dave. 4 days is a good sign.
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LoneOakMartin
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2025 8:48 am
- Location: Texas
Thank you! They came back today. Fingers crossed they stay this time.Dave Reynolds wrote: ↑Mon Apr 07, 2025 9:10 am,,, That is kind of common with a new site... But I have seen them come back in a few days and set up house keeping... So you are good... Hang in there...
Dave
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3788
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
Do they appear to be SY or ASY's? I am not sure what the timeline is in your neck of the woods.
2026 HOSP 26
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
When I moved from Slidell to Broussard (LA) it took me about 6 years to get anything. I would have visitors but no takers. It was frustrating. It was a far better setup at the new place too. Also had two really nice ponds close by.
I had 16 plastic gourds.. on the 6th season I took two gourds off and attached a SK barn to an arm. It seemed like something different made all the difference… I had visitors and 4 pair that year… from then on it was more and more.
So don’t give up.
I had 16 plastic gourds.. on the 6th season I took two gourds off and attached a SK barn to an arm. It seemed like something different made all the difference… I had visitors and 4 pair that year… from then on it was more and more.
So don’t give up.
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LoneOakMartin
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2025 8:48 am
- Location: Texas
The male is ASY, hard to tell on the female.flyin-lowe wrote: ↑Tue Apr 08, 2025 6:27 amDo they appear to be SY or ASY's? I am not sure what the timeline is in your neck of the woods.
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Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
They were only gone for a day or so, so maybe they never really left. Fingers crossed for you. I too am hopeful this will be ‘the year’.
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.