We had one nesting pair of martin's last year. They came at the end of April or first of May. The pair successfully raised babies and they flew out and returned to the nest site at night for a week or two. This year I saw a male flying around our house, probably a month ago. We took the covers off the entrances. I didn't seem him anymore for a few days. I noticed sparrows trying to build in the house. We tore the nest out a couple of times. Then we covered the entrances again on the weekend while we were at home. After two days we opened houses again. One morning I saw 4 or 5 martins at my house. They were singing and seemed to be going in and out of the house. I noticed that one of the martin's roosted in the house one night probably 2 weeks ago. I haven't seen them since. I think they are at a distant neighbors house. What did I do wrong? Is it to late for me to attract any Martin's to my houses? I bought 3 martin decoys and put them up on my house and gourd rack. I also purchased an electronic martin box that plays the dawnsong. I added these items 2 days ago. I still have not seen or heard any martins. I don't think there are many in our area. Help - is there any advice anyone can give me to help me attract martins. After having them last year, I can't hardly stand the thought of not having them this year.
Terri [/b]
Why don't I have any martin's?
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Ron Shaffer
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:33 am
- Location: Ohio/Beverly
What did I do wrong?
........maybe nothing, Terri. My one pair from '04 first showed up in late March of 05. They didn't come back until the second week of May last year, and brought another pair with them. Both of these pairs in turn showed up and stayed in early April this year, and they in turn seem to have attracted a 3rd pair. Can't wait for the subbies
It's early yet!
........maybe nothing, Terri. My one pair from '04 first showed up in late March of 05. They didn't come back until the second week of May last year, and brought another pair with them. Both of these pairs in turn showed up and stayed in early April this year, and they in turn seem to have attracted a 3rd pair. Can't wait for the subbies
It's early yet!
SEAL THE BORDERS NOW!!
http://www.numbersusa.com
'04 - 1 pair
'05 - 2 pair
'06 - 7 pair
'07 - 10 pair
'08 - 23 pair
'09 - 43 pair
'10 - 45 pair
'11 - 39 pair
'12 - 61 pair
'13 - 81 pair
'14 - 62 pair
'15 - 59 pair
http://www.numbersusa.com
'04 - 1 pair
'05 - 2 pair
'06 - 7 pair
'07 - 10 pair
'08 - 23 pair
'09 - 43 pair
'10 - 45 pair
'11 - 39 pair
'12 - 61 pair
'13 - 81 pair
'14 - 62 pair
'15 - 59 pair
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Guest
Hey Terri,
Welcome to the forum.I don't know what happened to your martins from last year, but you still have time to attract some this year. I am starting a new colony and just got an SY pair in. I also saw a couple others this morning that looked like new arrivals.What part of MS is Tippah county in? It sounds like you're doing everything right and if you had martins there last year, you know they are attracted to your site. It may just a matter of time. Don
Welcome to the forum.I don't know what happened to your martins from last year, but you still have time to attract some this year. I am starting a new colony and just got an SY pair in. I also saw a couple others this morning that looked like new arrivals.What part of MS is Tippah county in? It sounds like you're doing everything right and if you had martins there last year, you know they are attracted to your site. It may just a matter of time. Don
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birdy girl
- Posts: 1179
- Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:09 am
- Location: Mississippi/Dumas
Tippah County is in North Mississippi. I am so glad to be a part of this site. I love to watch martins. I find myself just standing out in the yard watching the sky hoping to see them flying around above my property.
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klcretired
- Posts: 2174
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 3:06 am
- Location: Grand Prairie,Tx
Welcome to the forum Terri,
First of all you need to get rid of the S&S's (Starlings & Sparrows) to be able to get a colony started or to do your colony any good, you can do this by either shooting or trapping , you can read all about that and other articles on the pmca archives , that's another thing that will help you is read, read,read,read everything that you can on this site , it will help you alot in the future and save you alot of greif & Heartache .....now having said that ,Where is your housing located ??, can you raise & Lower it okey to do nest checks and Maintance, you say you play the dawnsong, do you have up any decoys to help you attract Martins??, That would be a helpful tool to attract.
In order for us to help you Better please tell us a little more.
First of all you need to get rid of the S&S's (Starlings & Sparrows) to be able to get a colony started or to do your colony any good, you can do this by either shooting or trapping , you can read all about that and other articles on the pmca archives , that's another thing that will help you is read, read,read,read everything that you can on this site , it will help you alot in the future and save you alot of greif & Heartache .....now having said that ,Where is your housing located ??, can you raise & Lower it okey to do nest checks and Maintance, you say you play the dawnsong, do you have up any decoys to help you attract Martins??, That would be a helpful tool to attract.
In order for us to help you Better please tell us a little more.
Pictures Taken with Canon Rebel XT Digital using a Sigma 50-500 Long Lens.
Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,
K.C.
[email protected]
Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,
K.C.
[email protected]
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birdy girl
- Posts: 1179
- Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:09 am
- Location: Mississippi/Dumas
My martin houses are located about 30 ft. from my house (to the back). There is a large tree with limbs about 25 feet from my house. There is a wooden fence about 5 feet from my martin house pole. Both of my martin poles will raise and lower. I attached 2 martin decoys to the gourd perching rack and also placed a decoy on the porch perch of my aluminum 3 storey apartment house. I can only play the dawnsong from 5:00 am to 6:30 a.m. during the week.
My husband tells me to be patient that maybe the martins will still come this year. I hope he is right.
My husband tells me to be patient that maybe the martins will still come this year. I hope he is right.
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klcretired
- Posts: 2174
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 3:06 am
- Location: Grand Prairie,Tx
terri,
I think your Husband is right....just a little patience...they will come.
From what you have told us it sounds like you have the Idea setup.
Like you , I also have tree's, fenceing,etc,etc, and i get martins every year so don't be discourgaged ....they will come.
I wish you a Great Martin season this year and please keep us posted as to your progress.
I think your Husband is right....just a little patience...they will come.
From what you have told us it sounds like you have the Idea setup.
Like you , I also have tree's, fenceing,etc,etc, and i get martins every year so don't be discourgaged ....they will come.
I wish you a Great Martin season this year and please keep us posted as to your progress.
Pictures Taken with Canon Rebel XT Digital using a Sigma 50-500 Long Lens.
Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,
K.C.
[email protected]
Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,
K.C.
[email protected]
It you both work it's going to be hard due to the E. Sparrow has taken control of you houses. I guessing but I suspect the PM's come and investigate your house and then Mr. Sparrow runs them off. If you find grass stuff in the house I sure this is what's happening. You have no defense against sparrows other than shooting or trapping them out. They also get smart real quick if you fail in your attempts.
I tore a nest out on the back side of my house for three straight weeks. A few years back. This guy was smart, any movement he bolted and didn't hang around long enough to get a shot at and he wouldn't go near a cavity that had a trap in it. He would just move to another cavity. He would pester and drive off any PMs on that side of the house. I knew it wasn't long before he would do his dirty deeds in the other compartments.
Finely, I parked my trooper in the backyard and got up before the sun come up and waited on him. Not too long after sun up he show his ugly face long enough for me to get a bead on him.
Even if you shoot and trap them out, more will eventually come. IMO it's a never ending battle even for us that have many pairs and cavities. Simply tearing the nests out won't deter a Male House sparrow IMO.
I tore a nest out on the back side of my house for three straight weeks. A few years back. This guy was smart, any movement he bolted and didn't hang around long enough to get a shot at and he wouldn't go near a cavity that had a trap in it. He would just move to another cavity. He would pester and drive off any PMs on that side of the house. I knew it wasn't long before he would do his dirty deeds in the other compartments.
Finely, I parked my trooper in the backyard and got up before the sun come up and waited on him. Not too long after sun up he show his ugly face long enough for me to get a bead on him.
Even if you shoot and trap them out, more will eventually come. IMO it's a never ending battle even for us that have many pairs and cavities. Simply tearing the nests out won't deter a Male House sparrow IMO.
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CUL Lou~Mich
Terri99. First and foremost, those English House Sparrows MUST go. They are undoubtedly harrassing any PMs that show up at your place. You need to either trap, or shoot (IF shooting is safe and legal) them. Just tearing out the nests won't do it. However, by shutting the housing all up, you may have chased the PMs away. If they were the ones you had last year, they should have stuck around, and been pretty persistant. IF they were new birds, they won't be nearly as persistant, and could be chased off pretty easily. There are several traps that are sold by the PMCA. Just go to the top of this page, click on PMCA Shop, then click on traps. There is also a really good one for Starlings by going to the Archives, then scrolling down to Traps. Look for NB Compact. Good Luck. CUL Lou