Sounds like you've made all the right moves but agree that it (nesting) still may not happen. Also some of us have learned that there are degrees of "failure", e.g., for me it took the fourth season to get nesting Martins, but things were happening - good things - in those first three seasons, e.g., a SY male claimed my site in season #3 but couldn't attract a female.MartinStudent wrote:Hi all! I'm a NEW Landlord waiting to get my first tenants this year. I've have been scouring the forum over the last week. I've been reading up on them over the last few years and finally feel ready to take the plunge, but I want to do everything right from the outset. I just purchased my first real PM house from PMCA, Predator Guard and Owl Guard for the BirdsChoice WaterEdge Suites with XL rooms,Songbird Magnet, Mealworms, Pine Straw and Oyster Shells. When I bought my home it came with an old run down aluminum hexagon house in the back yard. Birds visited every year but no takers except Blue Birds. I'm taking down the old house (some BBs used) and putting up the new house and not opening until I see PMs. I'm also putting up another new hexagon PM house with all the same precautions nearby for variety. I plan on using member tips and making the houses look already used and play the Songbird Magnet when I see them. We have 20 acres in Mississippi. Most of it is treed on both sides of the property but there is a direct fly in from the west. We have about 5 acres open that we keep mowed down with a few trees scattered about. We plan on putting the house out in the open area about 30ft from our house with flyaway access all around and at least 40ft away from trees. I'm prepared with food for them in bad weather. Thanks so much!!
Be aware of Tree Swallows early, and House Sparrows always. Good luck, and enjoy.