Good morning everyone. I'm Jeff and I'm a new member to the site. I'm in north Mississippi.
Got a question for you experts. I've got a new house and 6 gourds up at a new property. I don't have any martins at this time. My question is what's the latest date I can expect to catch any for this season?
I have a bird-x song bird call playing the dawnsong every morning and house and gourds are in a good location and have been up since the middle of February. (I've had martins on a couple of other properties before and never had any trouble attracting them).
Just wondering what's the latest I can pick up any before realizing I won't have any for the season.
Question about 1st year at a new location
-
Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
Welcome to the forum. If you look at the scout report for MS, you can see arrivals into late May. So you have some time yet. Keep that dawn song playing, good luck.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
Thanks for that info Archer.
I've been keeping an eye on the forum for several weeks now and understand that the migration this year has been a little screwy and slower than normal.
My Dad, about 40 miles away, had 4 come in this past Monday morning. My in-laws, about 30 miles in the other direction, haven't picked up any yet. Not sure what's up with the in-laws place. They've had an active site for years but have yet to see or hear one yet for this year.
One friend about 45 miles south of me has had birds for probably 6 weeks now. Think he told me he had 3 that died not long after arrival. He has 20+ now.
Another friend south of my in laws has had several for a few weeks now but he says he's having lots of trouble with sparrows. I've been lucky with not having to deal with any sparrows so far.
Guess I'm just anxious, hoping to host martins this year for the first time in several years.
Other than playing the dawnsong is there anything else anyone can recommend to make the site more attractive to the martins? I have the housing placed in a good open spot and no trees around. Have a pond 2-300 yards away.
I'm open to suggestions and tips for this new sight.
I've been keeping an eye on the forum for several weeks now and understand that the migration this year has been a little screwy and slower than normal.
My Dad, about 40 miles away, had 4 come in this past Monday morning. My in-laws, about 30 miles in the other direction, haven't picked up any yet. Not sure what's up with the in-laws place. They've had an active site for years but have yet to see or hear one yet for this year.
One friend about 45 miles south of me has had birds for probably 6 weeks now. Think he told me he had 3 that died not long after arrival. He has 20+ now.
Another friend south of my in laws has had several for a few weeks now but he says he's having lots of trouble with sparrows. I've been lucky with not having to deal with any sparrows so far.
Guess I'm just anxious, hoping to host martins this year for the first time in several years.
Other than playing the dawnsong is there anything else anyone can recommend to make the site more attractive to the martins? I have the housing placed in a good open spot and no trees around. Have a pond 2-300 yards away.
I'm open to suggestions and tips for this new sight.
JMcM,
If I understand correctly you did not have nesting martins last year and you are trying to attract birds for the first time. If this is the case, please understand that you will mainly be looking for second-year (SY) birds that were born last year and are looking for their first nesting sites. These SY birds will arrive 4-8 weeks behind the adult birds.
Given that you are in N. MS, I think Archer is right on target. You should have a chance to attract SY birds well into May, and perhaps even into June. I'm in central TX and had a SY pair start nesting in mid-May last year.
Good luck!
BW
If I understand correctly you did not have nesting martins last year and you are trying to attract birds for the first time. If this is the case, please understand that you will mainly be looking for second-year (SY) birds that were born last year and are looking for their first nesting sites. These SY birds will arrive 4-8 weeks behind the adult birds.
Given that you are in N. MS, I think Archer is right on target. You should have a chance to attract SY birds well into May, and perhaps even into June. I'm in central TX and had a SY pair start nesting in mid-May last year.
Good luck!
BW
-
Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
Here's some info from the forum, it speaks to large compartment nest size, starling resistant entrance holes (SREH) , predator guards and other housing details http://www.purplemartin.org/downloads/H ... ndards.pdf
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
By the way, sounds like you have an excellent site to attract martins, and the dawn song should help bring them in for a look. I would recommend attaching additional perches to your housing. Many landlords as well as myself use 4 or 6 ft garden stakes that we attach using cable ties (or zip ties).
I think you will have no problem attracting SY birds. You might even steal some birds from neighboring colonies. When I put-up my first house in 1997, all of the birds from the house across the street nested in my house. The house across the street was run-down, not well-managed, and was on a short pole, so I guess the birds just liked my site better.
Good luck,
BW
I think you will have no problem attracting SY birds. You might even steal some birds from neighboring colonies. When I put-up my first house in 1997, all of the birds from the house across the street nested in my house. The house across the street was run-down, not well-managed, and was on a short pole, so I guess the birds just liked my site better.
Good luck,
BW
Thanks for the replies guys.
Yes BW, this is a new site with no nesting here previously.
I figured I would get young birds for my first year. In the past in two other new locations both times I caught martins at the same time everyone got their birds at established colonies. Guess I was just expecting to atleast have a few visitors passing thru by now. Overly anxious I guess.
Here's a couple pics of my site if they post.
Yes BW, this is a new site with no nesting here previously.
I figured I would get young birds for my first year. In the past in two other new locations both times I caught martins at the same time everyone got their birds at established colonies. Guess I was just expecting to atleast have a few visitors passing thru by now. Overly anxious I guess.
Here's a couple pics of my site if they post.
-
John Barrow
- Posts: 982
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 4:12 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi / Sandia , Texas
J McM,
Your best chances are just beginning and will be good well into May. I repeat a post each season called "Halftime in Texas" when I perceive migration is reaching a halfway point. That time is approaching but is not here yet. The largest part of martin migration is still ahead. While I have seen a couple of martins I believe to be in the 2 yoa class, there has not been a significant arrival of those birds along the S. Texas coast.
Bear in mind that as the age class of birds decreases, the population numbers increase dramatically. Likewise site fidelity is not such a factor. We will yet see some huge arrivals of 2yoa ASY martins, as well as 99+ Percent of the SY martins. Typically the peak of SY arrivals along the TX coast is around April 10.
Some arrivals to your area will continue until around June 1. And there is always the possibility that nesting birds in your area will abandon a site due to predation, etc., and renest at a new site, which could be yours. This could happen as late as July 1.
Please be patient. Your best opportunities are still ahead.
Your best chances are just beginning and will be good well into May. I repeat a post each season called "Halftime in Texas" when I perceive migration is reaching a halfway point. That time is approaching but is not here yet. The largest part of martin migration is still ahead. While I have seen a couple of martins I believe to be in the 2 yoa class, there has not been a significant arrival of those birds along the S. Texas coast.
Bear in mind that as the age class of birds decreases, the population numbers increase dramatically. Likewise site fidelity is not such a factor. We will yet see some huge arrivals of 2yoa ASY martins, as well as 99+ Percent of the SY martins. Typically the peak of SY arrivals along the TX coast is around April 10.
Some arrivals to your area will continue until around June 1. And there is always the possibility that nesting birds in your area will abandon a site due to predation, etc., and renest at a new site, which could be yours. This could happen as late as July 1.
Please be patient. Your best opportunities are still ahead.
~~TEAMED WITH A MARTIN GODDESS~~
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
I snapped a couple more pics of housing this afternoon. I have a couple of bluebirds trying to nest in one of the gourds. I cleaned it out and added a decoy. I also put up a bluebird house across the driveway.
This is at a neighbors place a few miles away. 3 martins there but there were several sparrows trying to use the gourds too. I'll probably offer and volunteer to help her with the sparrows.
This is at a neighbors place a few miles away. 3 martins there but there were several sparrows trying to use the gourds too. I'll probably offer and volunteer to help her with the sparrows.
-
Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
Looks good, your site is wide open. Good idea helping out the neighbors with the sparrows, their success could be your success. Any starlings in the area?
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
There are some starlings in the area but I've not seen any around the Martin house or gourds. Not yet anyway. Seen a couple of sparrows checking the house out but they have not tried nesting in it. Only the two bluebirds so far.Archer wrote:Looks good, your site is wide open. Good idea helping out the neighbors with the sparrows, their success could be your success. Any starlings in the area?
Welcome JMcM
You sure are open enough! A martin could see your place from miles away! Good luck, be patient they will come.
You sure are open enough! A martin could see your place from miles away! Good luck, be patient they will come.
Tony
2007 --- 0 2011---0 2015---4
2008 --- 0 2012---0 16-19—0
2009 --- 0 2013---1 2020—?
2010 --- 0 2014---3
2007 --- 0 2011---0 2015---4
2008 --- 0 2012---0 16-19—0
2009 --- 0 2013---1 2020—?
2010 --- 0 2014---3
-
DebA
- Posts: 1941
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
- Location: Pratt County/Kansas
- Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.
Hello! You have excellent odds of attracting martins. I was wondering if you live at this property? Martins love interaction with people nearby. That's not an absolute and if you are managing the housing and with traffic right there might just work too. Otherwise looks good. Even the mud. We are back to dry where I live in Kansas. Although we did get rain last night.
Deb
Deb
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
Good morning everyone. Got some good news to report.
Sitting in driveway in a lawn chair now looking at one Martin perched on the gourds!!
After I drank my coffee this morning I stepped outside to make sure my dawn song was playing. I turned my ear towards the direction of the song box and could hear it playing. I can't actually see the house or gourds that spot so I peeked around the corner and looked at house. 3 martins on house!!!
They checked out house and gords for a few mins then left. I didn't get a chance to snap any pics at the time. These actually looked like adults but I'm not certain of that. All 3 were very dark but I was sorta looking into the sun with partial clouds.
One is here now going back and forth between house and gourds.
I said yesterday that I had a couple of bluebirds trying to nest in a gourd and I put a bluebird box across drive. They moved to the box I put up but they are still trying to harass the single Martin that's here now.
Sitting in driveway in a lawn chair now looking at one Martin perched on the gourds!!
After I drank my coffee this morning I stepped outside to make sure my dawn song was playing. I turned my ear towards the direction of the song box and could hear it playing. I can't actually see the house or gourds that spot so I peeked around the corner and looked at house. 3 martins on house!!!
They checked out house and gords for a few mins then left. I didn't get a chance to snap any pics at the time. These actually looked like adults but I'm not certain of that. All 3 were very dark but I was sorta looking into the sun with partial clouds.
One is here now going back and forth between house and gourds.
I said yesterday that I had a couple of bluebirds trying to nest in a gourd and I put a bluebird box across drive. They moved to the box I put up but they are still trying to harass the single Martin that's here now.
Deb, we do actually live here. It's a new construction that's getting very close to being completed. Wife and I are staying here in a camper until complete.DebA wrote:Hello! You have excellent odds of attracting martins. I was wondering if you live at this property? Martins love interaction with people nearby. That's not an absolute and if you are managing the housing and with traffic right there might just work too. Otherwise looks good. Even the mud. We are back to dry where I live in Kansas. Although we did get rain last night.
Deb
Today is the first time I've actually seen any martins here on site. We are supposed to be getting another round of rain and cold weather this afternoon and thru the weekend.
-
MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Well, I'll be darned! You are the luckiest new landlord! Keep us posted on your progress! 
~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Isn't that the truth! Posted here for the first time yesterday morning and had martins on site this morning! Wife was so excited this morning when she saw them. Hopefully they will stick around. I'll sure keep you guys posted.MamaBruff wrote:Well, I'll be darned! You are the luckiest new landlord! Keep us posted on your progress!
-
threelilkids
- Posts: 386
- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:11 pm
- Location: Denham Springs, La
- Martin Colony History: 2014 1 pair 3 hatched 3 fledged
2015 1 pair 5 hatched 5 fledged
2016 1 pair 5 hatched 4 fledged
2017 2 pair 8 hatched 8 fledged
2018 4 pair 15 hatched
Congrat and good luck, funny you have a new house and so will your Martins. New owners all around. 
Mary
Mary