Rookie needing advice
2025 was my 1st full year and had 5 successful pairs and 21 fledglings. None of the 5 pairs were mature birds. Would it be beneficial to broadcast the dawn song again this year? Also I noticed our pine needles here in north Missouri are not nearly as soft as the ones you can buy on line so I added some soft grass from last years hay over the top of the White Pine needles. Is this method hindering chances of getting the birds to nest? Thanks.
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Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
Congrats on such a successful first year. I had one SY last year(our first after 11 years of trying). We are in central PA. You have more experience than me and I’m sure others will chime in. I was advised to play the dawn song and chatter even when the martins were here last year. I did so until they had eggs. Then I backed off.
With 5 pairs, you have a great chance of some surviving the migration and returning. If you get multiple ASY’s, they will do the job of attracting more.
In regards to ‘hard’ pine needles, if they are white pine, I would think that what you have, will be fine. I never purchased any online, so I can’t attest to any difference. Our pair put their own grasses on top as well as leaves. I used white pine needles. They are about 4inches long. They don’t hold moisture. If you do a nest change mid season, then the ‘hardness’ is some thing for you to consider.
As Tom Petty’s song says, The waiting, but is the hardest part. lol. Good luck KC.
With 5 pairs, you have a great chance of some surviving the migration and returning. If you get multiple ASY’s, they will do the job of attracting more.
In regards to ‘hard’ pine needles, if they are white pine, I would think that what you have, will be fine. I never purchased any online, so I can’t attest to any difference. Our pair put their own grasses on top as well as leaves. I used white pine needles. They are about 4inches long. They don’t hold moisture. If you do a nest change mid season, then the ‘hardness’ is some thing for you to consider.
As Tom Petty’s song says, The waiting, but is the hardest part. lol. Good luck KC.
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
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Bird Brain
- Posts: 327
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:22 am
- Location: Highland Village, TX
- Martin Colony History: 2022-visitors, 2023-visitors, 2024-1 pair, fledged 4, 2025-10 pair, fledged 42
You don't need to continue the dawn song after a successful year. You're already "on the map." I only add pine needles, nothing else.
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jhcox
- Posts: 801
- Joined: Thu May 26, 2016 9:23 am
- Location: tennesse
- Martin Colony History: Started colony in 2014. 0 pairs
2015 0 pairs
2016 0 pairs
2017 0 pairs but visitors
2018 1 pair fledged 5
2019 10 pair
2020 25 pair
2021 42 Pair
2022 60 Pair
2023 72 Pair
2024 74 pair
2025 78 pair
As far as playing the Dawn song, that’s up to you whatever your preferences. I have two purple Martin magnet machines at Play the Dawn song and chatter. I played every spring early in the morning midday and evening and I’ve had a well established colony at least eight years now not including the first two years were only had one to two pairs. I’m up to 84 cavities now last year had around 76 nesting pair. Like I said, I still play it early in the spring like this just to hear it mostly and to, help them find the colony easier maybe perhaps. Like I said it’s just up to you. It doesn’t bother Martins that it plays if anything they sing more when it’s playing.
JHCox
Heiskell TN
JHCox
Heiskell TN