A week after I put up our house, we had an adult male that was very interested in our site. He hung around for several days, going in and out of compartments. Eventually he brought a couple of other birds with him, one of which was a female. That bird didn't seem to like the house, as it only sat on it once or twice, and very briefly at that. After she checked it out, none of the birds came back and it's been A LONG TIME.
We haven't seen any other birds at our house since then. We're hoping we'll get some younger birds, but it feels like the time for getting those guys is passing us by. We live just East of Memphis, Tennessee. Are we out for the season?
Is it too late for birds where I am?
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3792
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
Don't lose hope yet. The SY migration has not really gone into full force and from all accounts they are a little behind this year. There wasn't much info in your profile so I assume you are still trying and have not had nesting martins at this site before. More then likely the ASY's that you saw were just migrating through. Some people have started a new colony with ASY martins but more people start with SY's. Once PM's have successfully nested they will almost always return to the same site next year. If nothing has happened at their site they will usually stay there. That is why I am telling you there is still a lot of time. The majority of the PM's coming through now are returning to an established site. The SY's are starting to come north now and typically will continue to come through until the end of May and into June at least.
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birdy girl
- Posts: 1179
- Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:09 am
- Location: Mississippi/Dumas
I live in north Mississippi and new (migrating) martins come through here and some stay the night in our housing every night. It is not too late. If you can add a few gourds under house or a small gourd rack near your other house. Martins would not go to plastic or metal housing at our place, they prefer gourds. My neighbor on the other hand has 4 small gourds and 3 metal or plastic houses and they go to the houses. Gourds might do the trick. Make sure your site is as open as possible. When we first started we had several visitors that wouldn't stay but when we cut down a few trees and added gourds that was the key for us. Hang in there and keep watching. It isn't to late.
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Littlebit45
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 3:30 pm
- Location: Newman, Ky
Don't give up, I waited 4 years, I added gourds also below my house. On May 5th,2009,a SY showed up then another one then by the end of 2 weeks I had 3 pair. This year I put the gourds on a rack and left the house beside it. My 3 pair came back on April 9th,2010 and all of the gourds are filled now and I am waiting for others to fill up the house. So don't give up.
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Guest
I just got my first 3 pair a couple of days ago, so you have time. I too was thinking it was too late. I was wrong.