Still Trying to Attract PM's

[cbyeagley]

This will be my third or fourth year of trying to attract PM's. We currently have an 8 unit Quad Pod system that I lowered and cleaned about a month ago. We also have a couple of SK single gourds and a couple of the double gourd style houses that I have not hung back up yet. We have had a few visitors late in the season for the past two years, but none that have taken up residence.

I believe our location is OK (we live in southwest VA, and have a large open back field with a pond. We put the Quad Pod about 150 feet from the back of our house, almost in the middle of the open field, so there are no trees within at least 40 to 50 feet. The gourds are located on a homemade T-pole, made from plastic PVC pipe, that stands about 10 to 12 feet above the ground. If we ever actually get a colony going, we will invest in a more elaborate gourd system, but my husband says we shouldn't invest any more money in housing until we actually get some Martins. We have the crescent starling resistant entries on our houses.

I think part of our problem has been opening our housing too early and having starlings start nests before the arrival of the sub-adult PM's that we would be getting for our colony. Being tender hearted, I didn't want to see anything killed, but have since reconciled that that is the only way to get rid of the starlings.

All that being said, my question is, when should I open my housing and start playing the Dawn Song to hopefully be successful this year? Also, is there anything else I should do to enhance my chances of becoming a successful PM landlord this year? As additional info, we have about 10 bluebird houses on our property all around perimeter, and do have both bluebirds and tree swallows, as well as chickadees that use these houses for nesting. We love all these birds and want to keep them, but, would that make any difference to PM's since they use the different housing and their housing is at least 30 feet from any of the bluebird/swallow/chickadee housing? Just curious. Thanks for any assistance you can give to help us finally be successful. cy

[CraigMo.]

I would move your setup a hundred and ten feet toward your deck if possible. You can keep a better eye on it and be faster on the drawer!!!!!! I would open them up now. If you see a starling getting in houses then clos them up for a couple of days or if a martin is at your setup open it then. Do they get in your crescents all the time? I have never seen one enter mine.
Craig

[klcretired]

cbyeagley
open up your housing now and start playing the dawnsong, watch the scout report daily on the pmca to see who around you is posting the new arrivals in your area, once the page opens up click on your State , you can click on the City or Names and a page will open up showing all the dates in the past years that person has reported the arrivals
I hope this info helps you and good luck, never give up
IF YOU BUILD IT.......THEY WILL COME!!!!!!
Click on Your State
http://purplemartin.org/scoutreport/