As a hopeful new landlord I have all housing ready to go & up but closed. The existing colony (for 12 years) about a mile from me has just had 2 scouts show up. He is not a landlord and has sparrows inside some of his open gourds & housing. He did last year. I also saw several tree swallows flying around checking out the nests. Last year I had two tree swallows nest in boxes I had up for them. They were not as close as this year, based on Dan Drew article I have studied and am following. The question is should I open say two gourds ? to see if I have exploring ASY's or should I stay closed until about three weeks? At the recommendation of another forum landlord I have started playing the dawn song . It was a suggestion to get the TS use to the sound of PM. Two weeks ago I saw only two TS and have not seen them since. By the way all holes are SREH
Garry
Open or Keep Closed
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3795
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
I am not sure how much time you spend at home but I had always left my closed off until I saw martins exploring them. Especially if you have TS in the area. The longer you leave them closed the further into nesting the TS will get. More then one time I would open my martin housing too soon and the TS would move from "their" gourd to the PM housing, I assuming because it is higher. Even though they had a partial nest built. Once they bring in feathers and start to lay eggs they will stay but before that they could decide they like the PM housing better and you have to start over with their relocation again. If there are ASY martins interested in your area interested in your housing they are not likely to stop in once, find the house closed and then never come back.
I live in an area with a high TS population and they are the biggest hurdle for getting a colony established.
I live in an area with a high TS population and they are the biggest hurdle for getting a colony established.
2026 HOSP 29
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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glfriend
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2020 6:55 pm
- Location: Virginia
- Martin Colony History: 2021- First Colony 8 Pairs 37 eggs 15 Fledged
2022- 12 Pairs 62 Eggs 45 hatched 45 Fledged
Thanks.....so far no TS has returned but the existing colony owner is seeing more than he ever has.......he has most everything open so just maybe they are staying away this year from my site...
flyin-lowe - how do you know when it is best to open the housing? I liked your answer to leave the PM closed-letting the TS get their nest started.
I have TS and sparrows checking my housing daily and have two blue bird houses hoping they will take to them.
I have TS and sparrows checking my housing daily and have two blue bird houses hoping they will take to them.