Lone adult male

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malachy cleary
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2004 8:01 pm
Location: cold spring n.y.
Martin Colony History: First breeding pair in 2011. Site moved up hill 350 feet at beginning of nesting season
2019 to accommodate road construction.
Colony seems to have weathered the upheaval

It is chilly and wet today at Glynwood Farm in Cold Spring New York. I have turned off the martin chatter recordings because I seemed to have an adult pair interested in one of the gourds. At one point it was two adult females and the male. The girlfriends have dumped the poor guy and moved on. He has been there a week now probably wondering if it was something he said. I am hoping he's got it in him to put on his best purple suit and sing another one over. Any Thoughts?
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jldoll
Posts: 72
Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2010 7:39 am
Location: Connersville Indiana

I am from Indiana, a little south of New York. This is my 8th year trying to get martins, Last year on the 7th year One male arrived on 14 may, I called him Romeo because of his singing abilities, Juliet arived on 18 and soon they were staying the night. One other pair arrived on the 24 may. At the end of the year 2009 they raised 7 young.
So far this year I have 5 pairs, some bring in green leaves. And last night I saw 14 martins.
There was so many times I wanted to give up. I will tell you when the martins arrive it will be worth all the trouble.
Protect them with owl guards and a ground guard I am sending a picture of my electric fence charger ground guard. I have it on two poles for less than $50.00
Good luck from Indiana Jerry
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Courtney-NC
Posts: 592
Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:28 pm
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Martin Colony History: 2009-2015-Helped to manage Raleigh site, 36 cavities
2016- 33 pairs at Raleigh site, 1 pair at home site.
2017- 34 pairs at Raleigh site, 3 pairs + extra SYs at home site
2018- 33 pairs at Raleigh site, 5 pairs + extra SYs at home site
2019 - 32 pairs at Raleigh site, 7 pairs at home site, 2 pairs at new Holly Springs park site

Apparently this is a common problem! I had the same thing happen to me. From what I've heard, getting the females to stay is the tricky part. I was blessed with an ASY male and his 2 females in a gourd every day for 5 days, then they left him and he flew away a couple of days later. He still flies over high every day, circling the rack. I guess he is looking to see if anyone else is around, but he doesn't sit on my rack anymore.

I am trying to keep my hopes up, as I have heard that even down here I have till maybe mid-June.

I hope your male gets some new ladies soon!
-Courtney
-------------------
NC Purple Martin Society (PMCA affiliate)
http://www.ncpurplemartin.org
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pugsleyhall
Posts: 268
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 4:28 pm
Location: Alabama/Grant

I have an SY male that has been at my place for over a week, flying and singing loudly. He lands often on the house and goes in and out of gourds like he designed the place. If any tree swallow comes near, he dives like an eagle and makes them leave. He has been trying so hard to get a female companion without any luck. I am so afraid he will not find a mate and leave. As you guys have said, this must be a common occurence. Good luck to you all attracting Martins. At least we know our site is wanted by somebody, or somebirdy. :lol:

Melissa
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djmains
Posts: 51
Joined: Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:24 am
Location: Indiana/Shoals

My third year my lone male brought back at least three different females they built a nest and the weather got bad and they flew off never to return that year the next year a older male and female built a nest and had young the fourth year I ended up with 23 pair so don't give up but once martins find your place let them decide to stay or not the dawn song cannot make them stay there but could drive them away.
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