What are those PM's doing???
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Guest
I have one ASY male and one female couple in my PM house so far. Last year I had 3 couples. My question involves the behavior of my current couple. They are out on the porch starting about 8:30 am for about 20 minutes and then I don't see them all day. I know they are back in the house after dark because I accidentally disturbed them one evening. Does anyone know about martin behavior at this point? During the day I would think my house was deserted. I am putting a new house up when I see the subs starting to arrive. Does a new house within 20 feet of the other one affect the returning ASY's??
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CraigMo.
- Posts: 1480
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:30 pm
- Location: Missouri/Lone Jack
- Martin Colony History: Active since 2003
They are feeding during the day when it is warm. This will go on for awhile.I am guessing for a month give or take. If they attract a mate they will come back anytime during the day to show off their home. Once they get closer to mating they will hang around more to attract mates and protect their compartment and build their nests. I also would go ahead and put your house up and open the doors now. Not all you new martins will be subbies. I had a lot of new asy pms one year.
Last edited by CraigMo. on Wed Feb 15, 2006 8:38 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Dale Hrncirik
Joan,
That is normal behavior this time of year. Your pair is out feeding during the day and you will see much more of them when they start nest building. Another house 20' away should be no problem as long as the martins have an open flight path to that house. I often put my poles ~ 15-20 feet from each other with no problems....have a great year!
Dale
That is normal behavior this time of year. Your pair is out feeding during the day and you will see much more of them when they start nest building. Another house 20' away should be no problem as long as the martins have an open flight path to that house. I often put my poles ~ 15-20 feet from each other with no problems....have a great year!
Dale
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Food may be scarce now, they must be gone a lot to catch enough food to survive...As the weather warms, as bugs become more abundant, they will stay "at home" more....the nesting season on all birds is such that the bugs and insects are at the peak when they are feeding the babies. Isn't it nice how nature provides for them?
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps