I been thinking again ,see how I stay in trouble??LOL
The Scenario is this:
A well established colony has become overcrowded and birds have no where to call thier own.
Can pairs be trapped and successfully transported down the road to start a new colony???
If so, wouldn't this be a great opportunity to aid the wannabees?
I suppose as into this PM thing that most of you are then you know this is just a failure waiting to hapen,just a thought.
dick
Has transplanting been tried??
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Al Denton
- Posts: 1468
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:31 pm
- Location: Carolina Shores NC
- Martin Colony History: New site and housing for 2018...Trendsetter 12. 1 pair of subs. Fledged 5...2019...11 pairs
Dick, As much as I'd like a have a pair of martins I wouldn't give you a nickle if you brought me a pair. I prefer to do it the old fashion way 
I don't know if it's been done sucessfully, although I'm sure some bonehead has tried. I believe it's against the law anyway.....A failure waiting to happen?
I don't know if it's been done sucessfully, although I'm sure some bonehead has tried. I believe it's against the law anyway.....A failure waiting to happen?2018-new site...1 pair
2019-11 pairs
2020-15 pairs
2019-11 pairs
2020-15 pairs
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Guest
Dick:
Two words: "Site Fidelity."
If you have been reading this Forum and doing your homework by reviewing all the reference material here, which I assume you have, you will have come across the concept of Site Fidelity: The tendency of Purple Martins to exhibit loyalty to their natal colony. (Actually, many birds, including Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, and Eastern Bluebirds tend to return to the same nesting area each year.)
"Transplanting" a pair of martins "down the road" wouldn't accomplish anything. If PM can find their way back from South America to the backyard of 123 Main St, USA, they surely can find their way back from a mile away. After all, they fly that far in search of food, water, and nesting material every day.
A better plan would be for the neighbor down the road from a colony bursting at the seams to put up appropriate housing in the appropriate environment during martin season, practice S&S control, and LEAVE THE HOUSING OPEN until the end of martin season. After fledging at Full Colony, the parents will spend some time teaching their young to care for themselves, and will escort them around the neighborhood, showing them possible nest sites. If you have housing up and open, they will check it out.
When the young birds return as SYs the following year, they will remember the places they visited and hopefully start a new colony at Mr. Wannabe's place. Since the ASY birds come back first, they will fill up the available slots at the natal colony, leaving little or no room for returning SYs. Now, if Mr. Full Colony adds more housing during the off-season, this might interfere with the Wannabes' attempts to attract a colony. That's one reason why I think landlords should limit the size of their colonies- to encourage the formation of new colonies in their immediate area. (There are many reasons why I don't believe in Super Colonies, but that is a rant for another time.)
Two words: "Site Fidelity."
If you have been reading this Forum and doing your homework by reviewing all the reference material here, which I assume you have, you will have come across the concept of Site Fidelity: The tendency of Purple Martins to exhibit loyalty to their natal colony. (Actually, many birds, including Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, and Eastern Bluebirds tend to return to the same nesting area each year.)
"Transplanting" a pair of martins "down the road" wouldn't accomplish anything. If PM can find their way back from South America to the backyard of 123 Main St, USA, they surely can find their way back from a mile away. After all, they fly that far in search of food, water, and nesting material every day.
A better plan would be for the neighbor down the road from a colony bursting at the seams to put up appropriate housing in the appropriate environment during martin season, practice S&S control, and LEAVE THE HOUSING OPEN until the end of martin season. After fledging at Full Colony, the parents will spend some time teaching their young to care for themselves, and will escort them around the neighborhood, showing them possible nest sites. If you have housing up and open, they will check it out.
When the young birds return as SYs the following year, they will remember the places they visited and hopefully start a new colony at Mr. Wannabe's place. Since the ASY birds come back first, they will fill up the available slots at the natal colony, leaving little or no room for returning SYs. Now, if Mr. Full Colony adds more housing during the off-season, this might interfere with the Wannabes' attempts to attract a colony. That's one reason why I think landlords should limit the size of their colonies- to encourage the formation of new colonies in their immediate area. (There are many reasons why I don't believe in Super Colonies, but that is a rant for another time.)
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Guest
Thanks for the view and it makes sense and site fidelity is a known factor as you say.I thought maybe seeing a housing full that they might rlike to know there was a new place down the street.
This kind of jogs my thinker into shifting gears and getting a house up ASAP in prep for next years influx of birds to the area
dick
This kind of jogs my thinker into shifting gears and getting a house up ASAP in prep for next years influx of birds to the area
dick
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Mary Dawnsong
- Posts: 1685
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 8:17 pm
- Location: Michigan, Livingston County
Hi Dick,
Researchers have tried a number of techniques over the years to reestablish martin colonies in areas where they have become scarce. Trap and Transfer (transplanting) of adults has been tried and failed. For more info, read:
http://www.purplemartin.org/update/9(3)social.html
Social Attraction techniques have been used successfully to attract martins to brand new colony sites, including sites in areas devoid of martin colonies. The most successful technique is playing the martin dawnsong recording loudly enough to draw in martins passing through the area.
Researchers have tried a number of techniques over the years to reestablish martin colonies in areas where they have become scarce. Trap and Transfer (transplanting) of adults has been tried and failed. For more info, read:
http://www.purplemartin.org/update/9(3)social.html
Social Attraction techniques have been used successfully to attract martins to brand new colony sites, including sites in areas devoid of martin colonies. The most successful technique is playing the martin dawnsong recording loudly enough to draw in martins passing through the area.
Click here to see my colony
"In Michigan every martin matters"
"In Michigan every martin matters"
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CUL Lou~Mich
One can also play the Daytime Chatter CD during the day. It's now thought by a few that the Dawnsong is merely sang early in the morning, (like 0400 am until 0630 am) and only after the female has started laying eggs. Lots of folks are now playing the DTC tape after 0630 am. Some just a couple hours, some all day, until dark. Depends on you, and whether you bother the neighbors with it. It's also highly suggested you pay attention as to whether these cds being played are attracting predators. Either Hawks, or Owls during the night. If they appear to be, it's recommended one shut them off for several days. CUL Lou
Dick,
Here's an article from another martin site that is very interesting. It's about kind of along the same subject, but with a different twist.
http://purple-martin.org/RichmondHack.pdf
Here's an article from another martin site that is very interesting. It's about kind of along the same subject, but with a different twist.
http://purple-martin.org/RichmondHack.pdf
