Hello, I am new to the forum, and extremely excited to get started. I sought out the forum this year, because I seem to be having quite a time attracting a colony. I began 6 yrs. ago, with a plastic gourds. Each year ending up disappointed. A neighbor built a new house and the very 1st year, had a colony in a quality aluminium 4 story house. So, this Christmas I purchased one. Due to very wet conditions this year, in South Louisiana, I was necessarily late in properly setting the house's "socket" in concrete. But after much ado, I raised the new house, on March 9th. And at the time, played the Dawn Song CD outside, beginning at 3AM, then off and on all day. On March 10th two adult males landed on the house and stayed for perhaps 5 minutes. Since that time, we have had no more birds near the house, to our knowledge. My wife is only now learning about the joy of these birds, and is beside herself upon hearing, or seeing them, even high in the sky. I on the other hand at age 64 grew up loving all birds, excepting European Starlings and English sparrows. And I am well versed as to placement of the house, etc.
I have heard of the birds arriving in our area as early as January 17th, but this year they seemed extremely late, even at the neighbors. But by March 1st, they finally arrived.
My question is this. Is it too late for us to get a nesting pair? In looking at maps of the birds arrival times, it appears that they should be to the Great Lakes by this time. Someone, anyone, do we still have hope for this year?
Help! I want Martins!
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Bobby,
It's about time for round two of migration to get going - the subadults are going to start to return any day now. These are yearling birds, last year's young. The males look pretty much like females, but have some black feathers dotting their undersides. So keep your housing ready and free of starlings and house sparrows. Play the dawnsong CD if you have it. You've got at least a month, probably more, to get some martins.
Louise
It's about time for round two of migration to get going - the subadults are going to start to return any day now. These are yearling birds, last year's young. The males look pretty much like females, but have some black feathers dotting their undersides. So keep your housing ready and free of starlings and house sparrows. Play the dawnsong CD if you have it. You've got at least a month, probably more, to get some martins.
Louise
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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
I agree that you still stand a chance this year, so hopefully you will be able to attract some.
The one thing that you could do that would help the most is to remove trees that are near to the martin house. I had to remove about 8 trees that grew up and were too close to my housing. The martins like the open spaces, so if you can, removing some trees would really help.
By removing the trees, my garden grows better also, so that makes me happy!
The one thing that you could do that would help the most is to remove trees that are near to the martin house. I had to remove about 8 trees that grew up and were too close to my housing. The martins like the open spaces, so if you can, removing some trees would really help.
By removing the trees, my garden grows better also, so that makes me happy!
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Guest
Bobby,
Welcome to the forum! Hang in there. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. I will pray for your success.
Many martins to you!
Welcome to the forum! Hang in there. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. I will pray for your success.
Many martins to you!
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Guest
Thanks so much for my 3 replies. I am having a little trouble finding and viewing my replies, but my wife just found them finally. New to forums, and computers. Regarless, thank you to those who did send ideas, and encouragement. The sky is more or less open to my houses, so I will just have to wait, and hope!! To us, to get a colony would be akin to a miracle. We watch the skies and listen intently. My wife is of the opinion
that the birds love people(I agree)and I will jump on the riding mower and just ride around out back in the hopes to draw them closer, when they are seen nearby. Still hopin'!!
that the birds love people(I agree)and I will jump on the riding mower and just ride around out back in the hopes to draw them closer, when they are seen nearby. Still hopin'!!
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3788
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
If you or your wife can do it you could take some pictures of your yard and your housing. That would give us an idea as to how open your site is. It might seem open to you but you need to think like a martin. If you were a couple hundred feet in the air looking down is your yard open or are there trees and buildings surrounding it?
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Guest
Thank you for you prompt reply. Unfortunately, I am not yet set up to take and send digital photo's, and am only now learning how to do that. However, a visual description would be to say the the limbs of the closest trees to the housing would be 30 feet, and that is only on the northwest side of the house. Otherwise, the sky is wide open from all other directions, with the next nearest trees being at least 75 to 100 feet from the house. Will this help in your determination? Also we have a nearby 1/3 acre farm pond. I DO try to think like a Martin, and have seen them in considerably more dense situations, at other successful locations in our area. Lemme know, and THANK YOU AGAIN!!
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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
Thirty feet is much too close if its a large tree. It somewhat depends upon the size of the tree. The problem is that a hawk can land in that tree when the martins don't see it, and it can swoop down and catch the martins easily before the martins can escape. The martins know that and may not use your house. If a hawk can get above a martin, they can usually catch it. When there is a hawk nearby, my martins fly real high in the sky so that they will stay above the hawk.
I had a nice couple that wanted martins in Richmond, but they had a large tree about 30 ft from the housing. I told them that they may not get martins. I was wrong, they did get martins, but before the season ended, a hawk kept perching in that big tree, and he caught about 1/2 of the martins, and the rest abandoned that site. They called me, and they were just sick, wondering what they should do. There is not anything that can be legally done to make the hawk quit catching martins in such a situation
With you having the rest wide open, it may help. I hope that you get some martins, even if it means that you will need to cut down that tree...smile. Me personally, I would rather be happy with a bunch of martins, rather than to look at a big tree in my yard
I had a nice couple that wanted martins in Richmond, but they had a large tree about 30 ft from the housing. I told them that they may not get martins. I was wrong, they did get martins, but before the season ended, a hawk kept perching in that big tree, and he caught about 1/2 of the martins, and the rest abandoned that site. They called me, and they were just sick, wondering what they should do. There is not anything that can be legally done to make the hawk quit catching martins in such a situation
With you having the rest wide open, it may help. I hope that you get some martins, even if it means that you will need to cut down that tree...smile. Me personally, I would rather be happy with a bunch of martins, rather than to look at a big tree in my yard
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Guest
Wow! You do indeed know your birds! And your information is extremely helpful. I "thought" I had my bases covered.
First, the tree that is nearest, is a very large pine, at perhaps 85ft. That tree was almost uprooted by Hurricane Gustof, and in fact is leaning west slightly. It is not threatening any areas in particular if it were to eventually go down. But I am quite leary of it obviously, due to the danger to human life, which is, inreality not THAT likely. Even so, I think it is time to bring it down. The only thing threatened might me my chainlink fence which encompasses the former dog yard, which is an 80 ft X 80 ft, chainlink fence, AND my wonderful neighbors small shop, and some of his "scrub trees" on the property line. So, in taking you wise advice, I will proceed with bringing the tree down safely, after speaking to the involved neighbors, about it.
Being retired, I am not hurting financially, but will probably handle the dropping and removal of the tree myself. I have the equipment to do so. And my chainlink fence is not too big an issue because it was badly damaged by trees from my neighbors falling during hurricane Katrina. I had repaired it, but it is not that pretty a repair job, yet is functional.
Now, in reference to your hawk comment. That is a biggie. I have annually noted that there is a nest of Redtail Hawks only 800 ft behind our home, which is on our 16 1/2 acres. Considering that we feed all birds here, I have actually been sitting on my covered back deck when a hawk dropped out of the sky, and attacked the birds on our large "windowscreen type" homemade bird feeder, only 15 ft off of our porch. In both cases it was startling, but both attacks failed. Heaven knows how many times that I did not see them being successful in attacks. So, knowing that it is illegal to harm beautiful raptors in all states, and clearly understanding the balance of nature, harming them is not an option.
My only option, will be to eliminate potential perching trees, at least from the immediate dogyard/birdhouse area. I may in fact also remove the chainlink fence as it is an eyesore when looking outback at our immediate 2 acres behind our home, which includes the farm pond that we have nesting Woodducks on every spring. And with wild Mallards joining them on the pond each day. So, the trees involved would be: 1. the leaning tree already mentioned, 2. another equally large pine, and 3. a 40 ft high oak that is slowly dying anyway, also close to the other two. A massive job for an "old guy," but certainly possible for me to do safely, and by myself, over a 2 week period minimum.
I hope that this is not to lengthy, but I want to cover all things that you mentioned in your kind and informative letter. I will advise you of my future work to free-up the martin house area, which may or may not begin this spring. My wife has been ill for 19 months and that is taking a great deal of my time. I don't even know if it is proper etiquette on forums to mention such personal matters that might involve my dealing with getting my martins.
Thanks again, Bobby
First, the tree that is nearest, is a very large pine, at perhaps 85ft. That tree was almost uprooted by Hurricane Gustof, and in fact is leaning west slightly. It is not threatening any areas in particular if it were to eventually go down. But I am quite leary of it obviously, due to the danger to human life, which is, inreality not THAT likely. Even so, I think it is time to bring it down. The only thing threatened might me my chainlink fence which encompasses the former dog yard, which is an 80 ft X 80 ft, chainlink fence, AND my wonderful neighbors small shop, and some of his "scrub trees" on the property line. So, in taking you wise advice, I will proceed with bringing the tree down safely, after speaking to the involved neighbors, about it.
Being retired, I am not hurting financially, but will probably handle the dropping and removal of the tree myself. I have the equipment to do so. And my chainlink fence is not too big an issue because it was badly damaged by trees from my neighbors falling during hurricane Katrina. I had repaired it, but it is not that pretty a repair job, yet is functional.
Now, in reference to your hawk comment. That is a biggie. I have annually noted that there is a nest of Redtail Hawks only 800 ft behind our home, which is on our 16 1/2 acres. Considering that we feed all birds here, I have actually been sitting on my covered back deck when a hawk dropped out of the sky, and attacked the birds on our large "windowscreen type" homemade bird feeder, only 15 ft off of our porch. In both cases it was startling, but both attacks failed. Heaven knows how many times that I did not see them being successful in attacks. So, knowing that it is illegal to harm beautiful raptors in all states, and clearly understanding the balance of nature, harming them is not an option.
My only option, will be to eliminate potential perching trees, at least from the immediate dogyard/birdhouse area. I may in fact also remove the chainlink fence as it is an eyesore when looking outback at our immediate 2 acres behind our home, which includes the farm pond that we have nesting Woodducks on every spring. And with wild Mallards joining them on the pond each day. So, the trees involved would be: 1. the leaning tree already mentioned, 2. another equally large pine, and 3. a 40 ft high oak that is slowly dying anyway, also close to the other two. A massive job for an "old guy," but certainly possible for me to do safely, and by myself, over a 2 week period minimum.
I hope that this is not to lengthy, but I want to cover all things that you mentioned in your kind and informative letter. I will advise you of my future work to free-up the martin house area, which may or may not begin this spring. My wife has been ill for 19 months and that is taking a great deal of my time. I don't even know if it is proper etiquette on forums to mention such personal matters that might involve my dealing with getting my martins.
Thanks again, Bobby
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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
Gosh, I cannot believe how quickly you accepted that it may be best to remove a tree, most people don't think their tree is too close. Sounds like you have a good plan
And best of luck to your wife, mine has been ill also for about a year but she is better now.
I too am retired, and I just cut down 2 big pecan trees, the variety was not good, and they were too close to the good pecan trees, and the good trees will now have more space and air ciuculation. Only the stumps remain to be cut up. I enjoy cutting wood, and even use it in our stove insert at the fireplace.
The redtail hawk probably is not much of a threat, they may be too slow. We have a pair of red shouldered hawks about 500ft away, and they are too big and too slow to catch the adult martins. Sometimes they catch a baby that is on the ground or in a treetop, but the redshouldered may actually help to keep away the smaller hawks that are a big threat to the martins. The Coopers hawk and the sharpies are very bad news for martin landlords. Maybe someone else knows more about the redtailed hawks, I have not seen one here.
Good luck on your martineering.
And best of luck to your wife, mine has been ill also for about a year but she is better now.
I too am retired, and I just cut down 2 big pecan trees, the variety was not good, and they were too close to the good pecan trees, and the good trees will now have more space and air ciuculation. Only the stumps remain to be cut up. I enjoy cutting wood, and even use it in our stove insert at the fireplace.
The redtail hawk probably is not much of a threat, they may be too slow. We have a pair of red shouldered hawks about 500ft away, and they are too big and too slow to catch the adult martins. Sometimes they catch a baby that is on the ground or in a treetop, but the redshouldered may actually help to keep away the smaller hawks that are a big threat to the martins. The Coopers hawk and the sharpies are very bad news for martin landlords. Maybe someone else knows more about the redtailed hawks, I have not seen one here.
Good luck on your martineering.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
I was being to worry also. I only have the two females and three males. I had another male and he moved on. So thank you guy for the info. As long as I have been doing this, every year is different. Good luck to all. 
GOD Bless
I am in BR and this is my 3ed year. One pair the first year, 3 pair the second year, and 3 pair so far this year. There are no SY males here yet so I think this year is late in getting started. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Put up some decoys and offer some Round Holes if you have not done so. See my response on my profile.
John
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Joe Creason KY
- Posts: 101
- Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2009 7:09 am
- Location: GREENSBURG, KY
Bobby, the red-tailed hawk will not post much of a problem for your martins. We have three type of hawks here in KY that I am aware of: red-tailed, a smaller version that we call a blue winged and the sparrow hawk. The sparrow hawk is the smallest of the hawks. Even though this may not be the correct name for the hawks that I have listed, I think that the blue winged hawk is what a lot of people call sharpies or coopers.
The tree problem was a big deal for me as well. I tried for 20 years to have martins. I had some timber within about 50 yards of my only pole. A small forest, and I heard martins but never saw one investigate a single gourd. I moved close to my dad's place 6 years ago and took the same pole and gourds to my new home. My dad had already established a colony site within a tenth of a mile from where I built my home. The first year I had one pair and fledged 4 young birds. My colony has flourished since then. The closest tree that I have is a dogwood about 40 feet from my gourd racks and it is about 7 feet tall. It has not grown over the past couple of years due to the martins pulling the leaves off for nesting when they are about ready to lay.
If you don't have any round hole entrances, I would suggest some. I have a ASY male every year that comes early and he always chooses a round hole. Last year I tried switching over to all SREH entrances and he slept out on the porch of one of my gourds for three nights. He and his partner had already established their nesting gourd. She would go in and he stayed on the porch. (It was not a motel six, because she never ever left the light on for him)
The gourd that they had selected was at a very poor place for me to watch for starlings, but I tried the best that I could. That particular gourd was on my #1 gourd rack. This year I placed a gourd with a round hole on my #5 gourd rack. The opening faces my home and is closer to my house in case of eliminating any unwanted birds. He and his mate have already established residency there this season. (not for sure, but I feel like it is the same bird).
Hope my information may have been helpful to you and I hope you have a great martin year!!!!!
Joe
The tree problem was a big deal for me as well. I tried for 20 years to have martins. I had some timber within about 50 yards of my only pole. A small forest, and I heard martins but never saw one investigate a single gourd. I moved close to my dad's place 6 years ago and took the same pole and gourds to my new home. My dad had already established a colony site within a tenth of a mile from where I built my home. The first year I had one pair and fledged 4 young birds. My colony has flourished since then. The closest tree that I have is a dogwood about 40 feet from my gourd racks and it is about 7 feet tall. It has not grown over the past couple of years due to the martins pulling the leaves off for nesting when they are about ready to lay.
If you don't have any round hole entrances, I would suggest some. I have a ASY male every year that comes early and he always chooses a round hole. Last year I tried switching over to all SREH entrances and he slept out on the porch of one of my gourds for three nights. He and his partner had already established their nesting gourd. She would go in and he stayed on the porch. (It was not a motel six, because she never ever left the light on for him)
The gourd that they had selected was at a very poor place for me to watch for starlings, but I tried the best that I could. That particular gourd was on my #1 gourd rack. This year I placed a gourd with a round hole on my #5 gourd rack. The opening faces my home and is closer to my house in case of eliminating any unwanted birds. He and his mate have already established residency there this season. (not for sure, but I feel like it is the same bird).Hope my information may have been helpful to you and I hope you have a great martin year!!!!!
Joe
You can please some of the martins some of the time, but you can't please all the martins all of the time.