2017 Wannabe report

[flyin-lowe]

Flyin-Lowe

That is fantastic. I have one SY pair on 4 eggs and three fairly committed sy males that keep bringing in green leaves but I'm unable to see any females with them. I can't hardly imagine having 5 or more pair. I've had 5-6 birds around since May 17 and it's been very exciting for me as I've never had this much activity in the past. With my history I probably will not get a pair now next year lol. I love the males excitement when a female comes in... they all go crazy screaming look at me!!

It amazes me the difficulty in starting a colony! Now after being successful with having a pair nest 3 out of the 6 years I've tried I THINK I'm beyond the thoughts of "My site must not be acceptable to martins" One of my lone SY males brought in a female this morning and she hung around for a couple of hours constantly being harassed by the single males. I would love to end up with 2 or 3 pair to insure I may get a returning adult bird next year.

Any thoughts or opinions out there about lone SY males not finding a mate at a site and the possibility of them returning the following year if they see other martins successfully fledging from the site?

Mitch

Mitch
A lone SY male is how my old colony was started. He stayed in a cavity all summer with a nest built and never attracted a female. The next year he returned to the same cavity as an ASY. He attracted a mate and then 4 other pair. ASY's can be a key. It is a lot less likely for them to go unmated, so if you can get one or two back then things are good. I read somewhere that 6 pair is the "average" number needed to guarantee at least some returning the following year. Obviously nothing is certain with mother nature but statistically speaking 6 pair or more and you should be good from there on out. That was based on the percentage of that don't survive the migration.

[Mitch Booth]

Do the males or females have higher nest site fidelity? I'm just thinking to myself if I have one SY pair and they do return next year as adults and since they do not mate for life they would most likely end stealing an adult from another colony.

Mitch

[taxidermy lady]

Mitch the male has more site fidelity than a female! They'll be back! It's your time!

[taxidermy lady]

Any thoughts or opinions out there about lone SY males not finding a mate at a site and the possibility of them returning the following year if they see other martins successfully fledging from the site? "Quote flyin Lowe"


I think if they are bonded to a gourd or hanging around chasing females you should get a few back! If they make the migration!

This is what I'm hoping because I have 2 young males here most of the day! Good luck!

[flyin-lowe]

I had an old timer tell me an ASY male is an instant colony. If you can get one of those he will attract a mate and others. I've never seen a lone ASY male at at colony not able to find a mate.