He's still here

Al Denton · Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:59 am

ASY male is still with me. I can't report I have a pair yet, but he's still working. When I left for Myrtle Beach on Thursday morning he had just attracted 2 pair. It was hard to leave that behind and I thought I would bust open before we got back late yesterday. He was sitting on the Coates when I turned up the driveway

This morning he has already had a girl over for a visit. I'm hoping he'll attract a gang of SY's who should be here in the area about now. Keep trying pal.

floridasunshinegoddess · Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:16 pm

I sure hope so too, Al. How many years have you been a wannabie?

Al Denton · Sat Apr 22, 2006 7:24 pm

Eighth year Barb. I'm hoping this ASY will hurry up and pair up, because it's about to drive me nuts. He's getting turned down a lot and after a week it's starting to worry me. I've got the right male. I just need the right female to come along. Good news it's still early and subs on the way. It should get interesting.

floridasunshinegoddess · Sat Apr 22, 2006 8:37 pm

Al, I knew it had been a while.... but 8 years!!! Your patience is stronger than mine!

I don't think you have anything to worry about but I know you will be relieved when he settles down with a mate.... and yes, there are subbies coming! HIP HIP HOOOOOORRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!!!!

John Atteberry · Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:06 pm

Hello Al,
Remember last year my lone ASY male waited for a month to finally get a female! So hang in there and be patient like I did!! HA! You still have alot of time! John!

Al Denton · Sun Apr 23, 2006 6:23 am

You're right John. I should just simmer down. It doesn't look like he's ready to throw in the towel just yet. He just now arrived in my yard

Fred Kaluza~MI · Wed Apr 26, 2006 8:30 am

Al, do you still have your bird around? Has he found a mate if he's still there?

Al Denton · Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:07 am

Yep Fred, He's still here...Going on two weeks now. No mate yet though. Last week he had brought two pair over that stayed the morning. I really thought it was going to happen then but didn't pan out. The search for a female goes on, and I'm about to jump out of my skin

Yep, He's still here. He knocked a mockingbird off his setup just a few minutes ago.

Al Denton · Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:10 am

and Fred, is your bird still around?

Guest · Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:44 am

Al, That is how my colony was started. With a persistant ASY Male. Good Luck. Dennis

Al Denton · Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:33 pm

Then that's encouraging Dennis, because I've got one persistant bird on my hands. For how long remains to be seen.

Fred Kaluza~MI · Wed Apr 26, 2006 5:58 pm

Nope, my guy hung around just 3 days and left as though he was off to work at 10AM on the Monday morning following his arrival. None seen since. Then the second guessing started, "was the dawnsong too loud, should I have rotated the daychatter at a different time, why didn't I have pine needles AND mud in all the cavities, why didn't I go out on Sunday around 11AM and move the decoys around before he returned around 2PM etc. It's still early in the season for me. Al, besides this first guy who showed up and has stayed at your place, had you been getting vistors regularly and where is the nearest colony to you that you know about?

Al Denton · Wed Apr 26, 2006 6:57 pm

I wouldn't do too much second guessing Fred. You can't do but so much. Dawnsong is great for getting them there. Your site and housing speaks for itself, and the rest is out of our hands. You still have a lot of time...like you say.

The nearest colony to me is just shy of 5 miles. There's another one about 7 miles away. Not many here in Raleigh. I usually get a SY male to hang around a few days and bring back a female or two each year. This year is very different with the ASY. Same story with the picky females. If he'll stick with me till the SY's show up here things might interesting... Hang in there Fred

Al Denton · Sun Apr 30, 2006 7:42 am

Well, this ASY male purple martin is still here after two weeks. With or without a mate he still likes it here. Still hoping!

floridasunshinegoddess · Sun Apr 30, 2006 8:57 am

Me too, Al! Does he go out all day looking for a mate?

Al Denton · Sun Apr 30, 2006 9:16 am

He's not out all day looking. He shows up around 7:00 am. Spends most of the mornings here taking shorts trips of 30 minutes or so. He's usually gone most of the afternoon and returns shortly in the very late afternoon. Has not had a female here in about a week, although I'm in and out a lot.

floridasunshinegoddess · Sun Apr 30, 2006 10:30 am

Al, he's spending the night at your place, right? If so, he'll probably attract a SY Female when they come in.......

This season, I had a male who had picked out 1 particular gourd..... a really choice large natural one with a tunnel and double porch and he staked a strong claim on it. He waited patiently for over a month and finally got a SY Female to join him. Funny, she would fly into the gourd next door and he would never join her there. Instead he would sing his heart out inside his gourd, look out at her, sing some more.... until finally, she gave in and flew into the gourd with him. They are now the proud couple of 5 nestlings!

So, hang in there!!

Al Denton · Sun Apr 30, 2006 12:20 pm

I knew you were going to ask me that

Tell you the truth Barb, I don't know for sure if he's sleeping here or not. I do see him early and late. I just don't know for sure.....Big numbers of SY's here soon. I also think he'll snag one and attract another pair or so. I still feel good about my chances this year.

floridasunshinegoddess · Sun Apr 30, 2006 1:04 pm

Well, I would say if he's hanging out there so much, he's probably sleeping there too. I think you'll have a pair soon (or 2 or 3...)!!

Al Denton · Sun Apr 30, 2006 7:05 pm

He showed up just a minute ago(7:55 p.m.) and then took off in the direction of a city lake 1 mile away(not the direction he usually leaves) If he's sleeping here, he's slipping in at or after dark