I Finally Have Martins!!

[BIOteacher012]

After trying to attract martins to my new yard in 2012, only to have lots of visitors.....I am finally a landlord. I woke up on Wednesday morning, May 15th, and noticed an ASY pair of martins going in and out of my S&K barn. They hung out all day and attracted the attention of another ASY male martin. All 3 birds spent the night on the 15th. Today, I am happy to report that the second ASY male now has a mate.....so I officially have 2 pair of martins for the start of the 2013. I am almost in disbelief. Four days ago my Chatter CD was playing and all I saw in my yard were tree swallows. Today, I have two pair of martins circling and landing on my houses as if they have been here all along. The CD's are finally turned off and I can now enjoy the natural sounds of a young and growing colony. Just wanted you to all share in my excitement. WHOOOPIEEEE!!

[DebA]

Aah...biology. One of my favorite subjects over a quarter century ago. Amoebas even fascinated me.

It IS so exciting! Sometimes I get in the house and race to the computer to share with the outside world. I am grateful for this forum and you fellow nuts!

Congrats Brian. You indicated your new yard. I imagine starting anew and waiting has to be nerve racking. Yay!

Deb

[Gobbler T]

I know exactly how you feel! Congratulations. Now get away from that window! Enjoy man.

[DakotaLady]

Brian,

It is such an exciting experience. I watch mine so intently that I know the sounds they make when they wake, sounds they make when calling in high flying guests, sounds they make when they try to gather their mate in for the night to sleep and the little noises they make while in their gourds. I wonder if there is a place for one with that type of obsession? ha ha.

Enjoy your birds. I'm glad you have 2 pair. Good luck!

[Annie G]

Alright Brian!! That is fantastic and it only took you one year. Have a great summer enjoying them.. Annie

[Robbo]

This is such a fun Hobby when everything goes right! Congrats .

[trank]

Congratulations Brian! Attracting 2 pair of ASY's to your new site is a real bonus.

Tom

[BIOteacher012]

It would seem that I got a little too excited too quickly. The second ASY martin seems to have lost his mate to someone else. I see him all alone today......desperately trying to find a mate when he sees a female fly over. So, I definitely have one ASY pair and one ASY male loner who needs to find a committed mate. Wow......I am so happy to have one pair......but what happened to my second ASY male? I am afraid that if he can't seem to find a committed female in the next few days....weeks, he may have to move on. Two pair would sure be much easier to bank on over the long winter months....rather than waiting for that one lone pair to survive and return.

[DebA]

I started with one pair, next year two, then four, then six. So far this year ten. It can happen with that one pair. Odds are long but don't think it cannot.
Deb

[Nealbopper]

First year, Playing the CD's is driving my neighbors crazy....... not one visitor that I have seen. I have tree swallows and Bluebirds with little ones, just no PM. I am happy for you guys but do you have to sound so excited. I am losing hope here in Oakland, Michigan.

[DebA]

Hang in there, Neal. This year is so weirdly starting. Behind. Down south landlords are still posting that they see migrants coming in..adults even. I do have a few subbies here but just in the past few days. I know they have reported them way up north...but if I am just seeing some you certainly have more time for them.

I hear ya on our exuberance. Sometimes I do feel so guilty when good folks are longing to have some birds. Plus the fact that my husband initially "threw up" a house on a fixed pole the first year. He knew a little, I knew less. Now I know just how fortunate we were to have that first pair just happen to pick us the first year. My "obsession" began when I saw the two babies peek out of the round entrance hole. Remember at that time we couldn't do nest checks and I didn't know you did. So that was my first glimpse.

You have seen our excitement for Gobbler T. You should go to his profile and read threads that he started over the years. Go back the past few years at the beginning of the season and mid season when he would be down that no one came. I swear he tried it all. Now look where he is at. His first egg.

Neighbors, schneibors. Annoying them three months out of the year...well that ain't bad! And will be oh so worth it. Hang in there!
Deb

[MamaBruff]

BIO, that's a dream come true! Congratulations! You can put on your robe in the morning and go out and do a happy dance on your patio to celebrate! Keep us posted as things progress!
Mary

[Nealbopper]

Good fortune comes to those who wait. I'm still hopeful I will say I'm feeling guilty shooting so many Starlings and House Sparrows when nothing is coming to stay. I got a Benjamin Marauder .22 pellet gun and it's deadly accurate. I'm nailing sparrows. My longest shot was 80 yards on a menacing Sparrow. Yesterday I got two House Finches in my repeater trap in the morning. (I let them go) At noon I got a female Sparrow. Kept her in there all day as an attractant. At the end of the day I scooped her up and let her go. Didn't have the heart after having it in the trap all day. I figured she had been through enough already. I rather shoot it at 30 yards then dispatch them by hand.
Bluebirds are coming along just fine. all 5 are getting bigger by the day. Time for another 2 day picture tonight. I will post it afterwards. The Tree Swallows moved out. Not sure why. They looked very interested though.

[Chuck4]

I remember when I first set up my housing and played the dawn song. That day I had many visitors and thought I was going to have my colony fast. However it didn't take long to realize they where just checking things out and were committed to other houses nearby.

It took me three years to get a nesting pair, but I'm there now. Even if you don't get a nesting pair this season you will be on their radar for nest year.

[BIOteacher012]

Hey Neal,
I just wanted to clarify that when I lived at my last home, it took me 4 years of playing Dawnsong, Daytime Chatter CD, driving my neighbors crazy, killing sparrows and starlings....etc. etc. I finally got my first pair on June 22 of 2009. Before this, had many visitors with no committment. I am luckier in my new home because I attracted my first mating pair only after 1 year of trying, but it hasn't been an easy road to get here. So, my advice is......DON'T EVER GIVE UP!! In the meantime, keep up what you are doing.....playing the CD and keeping sparrows and starlings out of housing. Visitors this year will remember your site for next year. Also, keep coming to this FORUM to vent and get suggestions on ways to keep going. And, find a local active landlord in your area that you can go visit if possible to watch martins while you go through the waiting game. It really helps shorten the waiting time!!