Luck Ran Out In Indiana

MJM · Mon Apr 21, 2025 10:02 am

I got lucky just putting houses out where I lived in KY and getting ~10 birds that same year and up to about 50 in 2 years after. I moved to Indiana for work and am now in an area with some birds (not a ton) and have gourds out, decoys up, martin song going all morning up to noon. Just not seeing any action at all. At this point I am accepting I have missed this season.

So question is: how long should I keep this charade up? What is the point- am I trying to attract birds who are looking for next year? I just have no experience here in the "attraction" space because I just set it and forgot it before- so looking for what to do here- if I should juyst leave the gourds up and stop playing the song, etc.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

jhcox · Mon Apr 21, 2025 11:14 am

Just my two cents were but I would go and leave it up. It’s not costing anything standing there and playing the dawn song from early morning to noon. crap me cost you much either. How would say with your new site you should be looking more for the subadult Martins to be coming in and it doesn’t look like you’re overwhelmed with those. On the scout map. So you should have ample opportunity to get a colony potentially this year with the sub adults. As far as the Don song, I usually play mine from 5 AM to about 10 AM and then daytime chat are from like one to two, then again in the evening from about five till dark. Also, this fall, they’ll be a lot of birds that hatch from other colonies that will be looking for a place to start a new colony. My understanding less than 2% of the hatchling’s return to the colony to Which they were hatched. Do you have decoys up Pineneedles in the nest maybe some mud on the entrance and porch???

MJM · Mon Apr 21, 2025 12:07 pm

Thank you- I will keep everything out as it is and hope a sub-adult comes by. My setup is all good- it's really just getting exposure to the Martins. I saw one fly over yesterday but he was a full black male and wayyyyy up in the air- but unmistakable wings and soaring. I do have a fair amount of trees in the area- but there are good fields close by and two lakes for water. Wondering if they don't like the trees even though the closet is still 100'+ away. Probably even close to 200' away (but they are big).

Jones4381 · Mon Apr 21, 2025 12:52 pm

Indiana and where I am at in VA are very similar arrival times. The SY's haven't even shown up yet in any considerable numbers as its mostly between last week of April and first 2-3 weeks of May. I would definitely leave everything up and continue to hope. You may also get a ASY bird. I had given up in year 2 and a ASY Male showed up May 7th and off we went. Only 1 pair that season but it got it all going. Keep the faith no matter how frustrated you can get.

The trees that distant are not a factor. It's just the newness of it all and the needs for the birds

jhcox · Mon Apr 21, 2025 12:59 pm

Yeah, I don’t see the trees being a problem. I have several tall trees, a cedar a walnut and a peach. And they’re all within 60 to 80 feet And their mature trees long as they got two or three good clear entryways shouldn’t be a problem. Just keep everything going. All those babies born around there this year is gonna have to have somewhere to go next year. You got some nice housing. Lots of vacancies may take a little time but they should show up.

Birdiegirl · Mon Apr 21, 2025 1:08 pm

Hi MJM,

Absolutely keep trying! I was close to your Kentucky location.. and I haven't seen the first SY yet. With you being north of here now- I'd say you have plenty of time to attract some SYs. Keep that Dawn song playing. Sounds like trees aren't a problem at over 100' away.. and seeing a martin overhead means there are some in the area. Hope they find you soon. If word gets out about your house building abilities, you won't be able to keep them away! Keep us posted

MJM · Tue Apr 22, 2025 4:27 pm

Thanks everyone. I will continue to hope my luck changes then. Again, I may have had 50 birds before but I really didn't know how this all works with SYs etc. They all just kind of showed up. I'll keep on it.

flyin-lowe · Tue Apr 22, 2025 7:59 pm

I know people with existing colonies who don't have all their ASY's back (myself included) so it's too early to throw in the towel in Indiana. SY's are still a ways away. Your results at your previous location were more unusual than the fact you don't have martins here yet. 5 years is the number that is thrown around quite a bit and for good reason. I have started two of my own colonies in Indiana and both times it was the 5 year mark before I had returnees. Keep your stuff up, it's not costing much.