GOBBLER T UPDATE

[rrmartins]

Hello Gobbler. Here's hoping you get your martins this year. Did you change anything over the winter to better your chances? I admire your dedication of never giving up.

[Gobbler T]

Hey rr,
No I did'nt change a thing. I don''t know what else to change. The only thing I can think of that has been suggested that I have'nt tried is mirrors in the cavities.
Things are changing around here though. It looks like a logging site in my neighborhood. Seems like everyone around me is clearing trees. Goooo neighbors!
I missed an incredable chance to expand my housing too! An older gentalmen in mimphis TN sold 3 alum houses 16 gourds and 4 poles for $25.00! I missed it by a few days. When I called him, he said he sold out because he had a hawk problem, and found 4 dead babies last year due to killed parents. He said he just could'nt take it any more.
I'm still here. Trying again! Fingers crossed for this year just like last year.\
Thanks for asking.

[Craig Dyer]

Hey Gobbler,

When I first began hosting purple martins I attached mirrors in some of the housing compartments. I can't say whether this really helped attract and keep any martins, but they sure seemed to enjoy the mirrors. Some of the martins spent a lot of time in those compartments, vocalizing and singing.

The best of luck to you this season!

[rrmartins]

Hopefully with more trees down and more open area this will be your year. We are all pulling for ya, good luck.

[James Strickland FL]

Gobbler T, man I was wondering how you were doing. I tried mirrors and it did not work for me, but, I may have taken them down early. The one thing I can say is that the Dawn Song did bring them in. Also, I turned my house opening from east and West to North and South. As for my Gourds they are in a circle. Come to thiink of it, the Martin alway go to the ones that are face in North and South. It may just be me. Take Care and I hope you finally get yours this year.

[Chriscreole]

With all that tree clearing, should stir up lots of flying insects, good luck this year!!!!!

[dhjohnson]

Wishing you success this year Gobbler!
Keeping our fingers crossed for you! Your dedication and determination will pay off!

[~Ray~Gingerich]

The tree clearing is a big plus, another thing that was mentioned is flying insects, sometimes you can do things to attract the insects.

[diane davis-ms]

That's the attitude gobbler t were all here rooting for you!!! Wishing
you many purple martins this year. And sometimes its the smallest things
we do or try to attract the purple martins to our sight that works we just never
know mine was a cheep $3.00 natural gourd i purchased from a retired gentlemen that was selling them for Xtra income at our hardware store in
town. Came right home and hung it under one of my houses and in 20 minutes
with the dawn song playing i had my first martins going in and started my colony. best of luck ~diane~

[Gobbler T]

Thanks to you all for the well wishes.
The closest tree removal is about 70 yards away at the house across the street. But they were BIG trees! I no longer have any large trees on my place.
The biggest change around here is sparrows. I normally have 3 or 4 a year that have to be removed, but for some reason I can't figure, It's like a grocery store parking lot around here this year. The more I kill the more show up. They are even eating sun flower seeds from the feeder.
I'm fighting the good fight, But I can tell it's going to be an all summer battle!
I do have a nice new patio to sit on and drink my coffee while watching or "watching for" martins. Looking forward to that.
Thanks again for the thoughts, and I'll keep you updated.

[Jeff Robinson]

Tony,

Are your neighbors trying to help you? Great neighbors huh, regardless of their intent!

For you and others who want to eliminate starlings and sparrows feeding at your feeders, consider switching to all Safflower seed. Most of the songbirds will readily take to the change. Starlings and HOSP don't like it. You can get it from WBU and "some" hardware stores might offer it, but I often go to my local feed store and they will order me 50lb bags for $30 - $35.

My safflower feeders are loaded with cardinals, House Finches, Nuthatches, Carolina Chickadees, Mourning Doves, and others. I make a modified version of the New Zick Dough for wintertime feeding of Bluebirds, Carolina Chickadees, and Nuthatches, and I throw a layer of mealworms on top on wintertime mornings as a treat for the Bluebirds and Carolina Wrens. I keep this mix in a feeder right on my back patio with the opening facing my patio door that the starlings don't dare come to.

Best to ya man - hope you get your start this year!

Jeff

[birdy girl]

Removing trees does help. Think that was what helped bring in our first martin pair. Good luck and I will be watching for your post of your first pair.

[Gobbler T]

Thanks to you both
Naw Jeff, my neighbors could care less about my martin problems. But they are helping just the same.
birdy, right now I just want to hear one!

[LoneOakMartins]

Hopefully the lucky 13 will be with you this 2013 martin season. Good luck!

[Bulldog1]

Hang in there neighbor. Although there are reports north of us, nobody around here has seen martins. The hawks that winter in this area have not left yet, so I don't think I will see any until middle of March.

[Gobbler T]

Thanks guy's.
I don't seem to have a hawk problem persay. A couple decoy attacks 2 years ago, but I'm not sure if it was hawk's or owl's. My earliest arrival was last year on march 3. Hoping for something around that date again this year.

[baileysambone]

Good Luck Tony. Still rooting for you. Keep us posted please.
Yvonne

[Dave Reynolds]

Gobbler -- Glad to see you still on the forum.. Happy days are coming for you, just a matter of time, I'm rooting for you..

Dave

[Gobbler T]

Thanks bailey & dave
I'm as excited as everyone else in anticipation of the first arrival. Last years arrival was the earliest I've had, so I'm counting the days now instead of weeks. Not that it will be as early this year, but a guy can dream can't he!

Good luck to you all. I'm rooting for all of you as well.