This is our second year attempting to attract PMs. Last year we had a single pole with a SK house and 6 bo11 gourds. After studying the forum over this past winter, I relocated that pole to a more suitable location and added another pole and 12 bo9s. We have been playing the dawnsong and daytime chatter this year. We had one PM adult male come to the site on April 8 and stayed 3 nights in one of the bo9s.
Since then there has been no activity with the exception of a pair of interested tree swallows. I closed the martin housing for about 2 weeks before the tree swallows moved into house on the other side of the barn from the martin housing.
On thursday May 24 what we think is a subadult male arrived and has been here every morning from about 6am to 10am and each evening since then. When here, he defends the site against other birds that may land on the gourd racks and has brought a few other PMs by to see the site but so far none have stayed.
We are about 30 miles north of the Ohio River in southern Indiana. Most of the PM sites we know of have had birds since early April.
The poles are about 35' from the barn and 50' from our house. The nearest tree about 50' away. There is a single power line about 30' from the poles and is used as a perch by this PM. There is a large open field on the west side of the site.
It is certainly fun to see this one hanging around.
Considering our location, is it too late in the season to be successful here?
Thank you.. Kim
week long visitor
I'm not from your area but I had 2 new pair show up & have just recently laid 5 eggs each. If your SY male is successful in attracting a female...you just might have your first pair. If not...he might be back next year with his fine deep purple suit on & start your site!!! That's what finally started my site...a beautiful ASY male with a female that joined him soon after! They attracted a SY pair & in 2009 my site was started. I currently have lots of nests fledging but have the 2 newly laid nests incubating!
I'd say...it's not too late this season in your area!!! GOOD LUCK!
I'd say...it's not too late this season in your area!!! GOOD LUCK!
Take Care!!
Lila
2009--1 ASY & 1 SY Pair
2010--6 Pairs
2011--11 Successful Pairs + 1 Late Pair that lost their brood to heat!
2012--18 ASY Pairs & 1 SY Pair---104 eggs so far! 1 SY nest lost to infanticide! :o(
Lila
2009--1 ASY & 1 SY Pair
2010--6 Pairs
2011--11 Successful Pairs + 1 Late Pair that lost their brood to heat!
2012--18 ASY Pairs & 1 SY Pair---104 eggs so far! 1 SY nest lost to infanticide! :o(
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Dan Clodfelter
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 2:25 pm
- Location: Indiana/Brazil
Kim , I'm from your area and NO it's not too late to attrack more martins as more sy's are returning daily and still will be laying for another couple weeks. I have somewhere around 300 martins @ my colony right now and my last nest check I had 420 eggs . I should end up with around 600 eggs this year . Try smearing some mud around the entrance holes to your compartments . Try doing everything you can to make this martin feel wanted ( this includes talking to him and a whistle now and then ) . Dont mind the neighbors because you want to develope a system in which your martins will get to know you by your voice and a whistle .
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Guest
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I wasn't able to observe the situation today. The PM showed up about 6:30am and chose a new perch atop our 67' windmill. What a nice vantage point. I had to leave shortly after that and when I returned around 9:30am he was again on top of the windmill. Still no others to be seen. I did not return until after dark. As far as I can tell, he is not spending the night. I have only been able to watch closely one evening and he left the site about 30 minutes before dark and I did not see him return. I'm curious as to where he might be spending the night. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated?
Today is the 7th day in a row that we have seen him hanging around. The ASY male that was here in april spent 3 nights in one of the BO9s
Thank you
Kim
Today is the 7th day in a row that we have seen him hanging around. The ASY male that was here in april spent 3 nights in one of the BO9s
Thank you
Kim
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Hey Kim.
Everybody always asks those questions. "Where do they go, or where do they stay?" All we can do is guess. We know Purple Martins live in nature when they leave the breeding houses or gourds. So, this bird could be spending the nights in the trees. I think this is unlikely. I think if he is leaving your site, then he is probably going to a neighboring site to sleep among other PMs. You say you have watched and not seen him return to spend the night. We have to trust that you know what you're talking about -- but, I gotta say, I have seen them sneak in so fast you will miss them if you blink...
Only time will tell, if he is able to attract a mate for this season. You have my best wishes that he will get lucky. If not, well enjoy him for now and maybe he'll come back next season in his new ASY clothes with a girl on his wing...
Everybody always asks those questions. "Where do they go, or where do they stay?" All we can do is guess. We know Purple Martins live in nature when they leave the breeding houses or gourds. So, this bird could be spending the nights in the trees. I think this is unlikely. I think if he is leaving your site, then he is probably going to a neighboring site to sleep among other PMs. You say you have watched and not seen him return to spend the night. We have to trust that you know what you're talking about -- but, I gotta say, I have seen them sneak in so fast you will miss them if you blink...
Only time will tell, if he is able to attract a mate for this season. You have my best wishes that he will get lucky. If not, well enjoy him for now and maybe he'll come back next season in his new ASY clothes with a girl on his wing...
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
I bet that male is staying there for I have just three martins right now (one Pr)but that pair will come down like a rock drop and go back to back into the gourd and if I hadn't seen them I would swear they aren't staying there.The lone male has been staying in one of my gourds and gets in the gourd prior to dark.I am hoping for a second pair and he finds a mate but my gut on observations is he really doesn't care if he finds a mate for other martins have been around .I have witnessed many times over the years watching them before dark just like you and if you turn your head for a moment they sneak in quiet and fast.I wish you luck but having one around is a good sign.