Did I get some?

frankw1 · Mon Mar 28, 2022 1:16 pm

5DF01B9B-7667-4816-B55D-9CE9B483122A.jpeg: (413.08 KiB) Not downloaded yet

Two flew in this morning. Recognized that familiar chirp that sounds just like the dawn song I’ve been playing since opening in mid February.

One of these (the upper) in the photo is a plastic decoy.

Can anyone confirm?

frankw1 · Mon Mar 28, 2022 1:20 pm

Another pic for reference

C.C.Martins · Mon Mar 28, 2022 1:26 pm

You have a martin!!! Congrats, nice set up too.
Congrats,
Tom

MJM · Mon Mar 28, 2022 1:28 pm

Not only did you "get one" you got the "right one". Keep in mind scouts are, well, scouting. He may swing by and check it out and love the place and remember for some other time, or he may bring the family. Either way, yes, you have a healthy male martin there, unquestionably.

deancamp · Mon Mar 28, 2022 3:19 pm

Watch closely tonight to see if he enters a gourd for the night. An asy male like that can be very productive at drawing in more birds. Good Luck and keep us posted.

frankw1 · Mon Mar 28, 2022 3:26 pm

Should I post a report on the Scout Arrival study map, or wait until I'm certain they stay. And if so, subadult arrival?

brent · Mon Mar 28, 2022 3:28 pm

Boy what a handsome ASY male. Yes indeed it's one! Good luck!!!! Brent

deancamp · Mon Mar 28, 2022 4:10 pm

Yes, post it but it's an ASY male. Adult not subadult

C.C.Martins · Mon Mar 28, 2022 5:08 pm

Some good advice you have already, you said you had a couple may be a female there too. Watch close tonight, just around dusk, they come in and its fast.
Also id suggest keep playing the dawn song until they seem to have chosen your site. Keep doing what your doing, its working!

scottfreidhof · Mon Mar 28, 2022 5:40 pm

Congratulations Frank! Great news for sure. To answer your question: No you should not report the bird on the scout arrival page. The scout arrival study is for birds returning to where they nested the previous year. Since this is the first year of your new colony, his arrival does not meet the criteria. But when he returns next year (2023) you would report him.

flyin-lowe · Mon Mar 28, 2022 8:10 pm

I would like to see the PMCA's response to you scout reporting question. I have a differing opinion than scott above. I think the purpose of the study is to track the migration of the martins. It doesn't matter if that martin is from your colony or not, or if you had martins last year or not, the purpose of the study is to document when and where martins are. I could be wrong on that but I know every year some people say they only report martins they know are staying at their property. This doesn't accurately document when scouts are traveling through a certain area. Again it is possible my perception of the research is off.

deancamp · Mon Mar 28, 2022 8:26 pm

Maybe someone from the PMCA office can clear this up but when reporting a scout there are 3 options. INTERESTED, no housing up, TRYING, housing up or going to put housing up this year but have not attracted Martins, ACTIVE, had Martins most recent breeding season. I assumed this meant to make a report if you witnessed a Martin at your site and that is what I did my first year.