My FIRST ever housing is open, and warning about powerhorns

[TammyBears]

Hello,
I have officially opened up my first ever Martin housing. Now…the waiting!
I have a Trio Castle 24 with 3 gourds and a barn style plastic house with 6 compartments and 2 gourds.
All have been modified to large compartments, nested, and most with SREH.
I have a few decoys…of which play tricks on my mind every time I look up here!
I am also playing the dawnsong and chatter on power horns. A word of warning about using an alarm clock
and power horns. Make sure you reset the alarm for CD, otherwise you’ll get the blaring baaaahhwwww baaaahhwwww
sent out across the whole neighborhood. Not that I did that…ok yes I did. Yes, four o’clock in the
morning. And my clock is not a beep beep it is a baaawww baaawww! How horrible.
Anyways, I have questions about what to do next.
First, should I wait to put out my eggshell until I see Martins?
Next, I have 3 decoys spread out on my Castle/gourd pole and 2 on my barn. Is that too many?

And finally, just a big, big thank you to all of you who help us on this forum.
This is my first set-up and I am so fortunate to have benefited from all of your learning
through trial and error. My Martins will have large nested compartments, all with traction strips
inside and out for the babies. They have rails, dry nests, divided porches, and even eggshells waiting on them.
And after they arrive(staying optimistic here!) they will be protected from ground and air predators.
Their housing is wide open and close to our home. Furthermore, I will allow no other non-native birds (S&S) bully them around.
My husband already thinks I’m an expert! LOL Far from it, but I’ve sure got a jump start because of this forum.
I wouldn’t have known any of this without you. So a big Purple Martin chirp chirp to you!!!

[LarryMelcher/KY]

You ARE Going to get Purple Martins. Why? You are doing everything right. The MAIN thing..... Do Not Let any other species claim your nest boxes meant for Purple Martins. Tolerate Tree Swallows and Bluebirds. They may seem to harrass your martins. Native birds know that Starlings and House Sparrows come into compartments and break eggs... even kill to steal nests from them. KEEP OUT THE THUG birds and you will win.

Housing in a wide open space? Good Luck and keep us posted !!!

[Michael Sanford ~ OK]

You're doing awesome, Tammy (except for that alarm thing! LOL!!). If your neighbors had any questions about your nuttiness they were answered this morning. But don't worry. You're in good company here in regards to nuttiness.

Don't worry about the eggshell yet. Let's get you birds first. As far as the decoys go I don't think that is too many. When you get birds to show interest watch closely to their behavior around the decoys. Male martins are in a fighting mood when they show up and they may spend an inordinate amount of time having it out with plastic birds. When I first started I had to take my decoys down for a spell.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Tammy:

If anyone deserves to attract martins their first year trying; it is you. You have done all the necessary research, obtained various types of housing and are all set up.

I don't think you can have too many decoys and they could save any martins that eventually show up.

Since you are starting new trying to attact martins, you want to do everything possibly to make your site more attractive than any other surrounding site for a visiting martin. Martins use the oyster shells for calcium. If it were me, I would put the oyster shells out now. It might be just the little edge you need to persuade a visiting martin to select your site to nest at this season. Good luck

Tim

[klcretired]

Hi Tammy ,
You are going to be a Great Martin LandLord , whatever you do don't give up...keep on keepin' on , If You Build it...They will come!!!!!

[pugsleyhall]

Good luck Tammy, I don't have Martins yet but have learned so much from this forum that I think I am ready when a pair decides to stay. As it was mentioned earlier, I advise you to watch for tree swallows or bluebirds that will want to build in your Martin housing. I have to keep the little tree swallows out every year and it is so hard because they are such determined little things. I hope it happens for you.


Melissa

[DornCounty]

great story... Good luck!!

[TammyBears]

Thank you all for your words of wisdom and encouragement.
I'm inspired by all of you! Longtime landlords and longtime landlord hopefuls, thank you

[CMF]

Tammy: "Not that I did that…ok yes I did. Yes, four o’clock in the
morning. And my clock is not a beep beep it is a baaawww baaawww! How horrible."

Don't feel too bad, I think there are plenty of us who have done that or worse. My 5:00AM power blast miscue was Kenny Chesney singing Key Lime Pie!
CMF

[tonyg]

Sounds like all you have to do now is kick back and wait for their arrival..you've done all the right things on your end....good luck..

[RC Moser]

I wondered what that sound was way over here in Choctaw

[TammyBears]

[Dave Duit]

We are all behind you Tammy. It is nice to see another responsible landlord. There will be ups and downs over the years, but always do your best. We all strive to make a happy home for our martins. They will appreciate all your efforts.

[TammyBears]

Well it's happened Been feeding the birds all winter, not nary a HS.
Have my housing up for barely 3 days and what do my eyes see this morning? A red headed [updated: CHESTNUT on sides!] HS. Going in and out of my old Mac house like he owns the place. Then he perches right on very top and starts making a call...I guess his call to the ladies. Didn't have my 22 ready, but will tomorrow morning! I was so hopeful HS wouldn't be much a problem since I hadn't seen any. But, I'll be ready next time. And will get a trap as well.
The fight is on

[update: see post below with picture.]

[Louise Chambers]

Tammy, that sounds like a House Finch, not a House Sparrow - please do a google image search for House Finch. They are a native songbird and will not be a threat to the martins, no need to fret about them. And, as a native songbird, they are protected, same as the martins. House Finches rarely nest in martin housing, as they are not cavity nesters. They often nest in human places, such as wreath on door, hanging baskets with plants, etc. They visit feeders, have a pleasant song.

http://www.nps.gov/prsf/naturescience/house-finch.htm

[CMF]

WHOA! There are no Red headed house Sparrows! What you are seeing is a HOUSE FINCH and they are the good guys. They will not bother the PUMAs at all. Decock and put on safe.
CMF

[CMF]

Gosh Louise you are fast. I hope we're not too late.
CMF

we have it all over the AP wire!

[TammyBears]

Oh no, it's a male HS. I was referring to the dark red on the sides. He has the red sides with the black bib. No mistaking. I have many, many purple finches and house finches at my feeders and I love them. This IS the male HS, so no worry. I would not take a chance on any other bird. Thank you muchfor you cautiousness.

[CMF]

Whew............ call it chestnut and we will all understand

Bird nuts, what can I say???

CMF

[TammyBears]

My bad!!!! I'm new to the terminology, but definitely know my adorable finches I was afraid I was going to give someone a heart attack so I quickly posted the photo. Chestnut it is!