Zero, Zilch, Nada, I got nothin!!!!

[Nealbopper]

I am not very satisfied with the results of my hard work. I am fully aware that luck is predicated on weather the Purple Martins are happy with the housing you provide and the openness and security in the immediate area. So my question is why there hasn't been one bird to come and land on my set up. My neighbor 1/4 mile away had 20+ pairs in hi housing last year but something ripped the door off of every compartment and cleaned them out. He has 0 birds show up also. I'm wondering if this is the reason why I haven't seen squat so far? I have had fly overs and PM's circling way above my housing but I have yet to witness one bird land and investigate my digs. My uncle who has a booming PM population in the thumb of Michigan said I still have until the end of June to have a chance for a SYPM. Well I just needed to vent, I'm still hopeful something will happen. Wish me luck.

[phldave]

I am not very satisfied with the results of my hard work. I am fully aware that luck is predicated on weather the Purple Martins are happy with the housing you provide and the openness and security in the immediate area. So my question is why there hasn't been one bird to come and land on my set up. My neighbor 1/4 mile away had 20+ pairs in hi housing last year but something ripped the door off of every compartment and cleaned them out. He has 0 birds show up also. I'm wondering if this is the reason why I haven't seen squat so far? I have had fly overs and PM's circling way above my housing but I have yet to witness one bird land and investigate my digs. My uncle who has a booming PM population in the thumb of Michigan said I still have until the end of June to have a chance for a SYPM. Well I just needed to vent, I'm still hopeful something will happen. Wish me luck.

I feel your pain also, but since the end of April I have had 2 land and 2 buzz my site (that I am aware of, may be more) but no pairs and none have stayed. Seem to be mainly females attracted by the dawn song. All we can do is hang in there and keep the faith. I hope there's some truth to the saying "If you build it they will come"

[Chuck4]

I think the weather has been a huge factor affection the northern tier this season. It's been very hard for them to get up there I think. I do think the overall numbers at least in my area seem to be down a bit. But I have read of others being at maximum boarding. Maybe they are just sticking together more this season.

[ehuszar]

While my pain is not as great as yours I have went from 5 pairs hoping for 10 this year to only 2 pairs, better than nothing yes, but after investing and installing a 24 gourd deluxe houses from a coates house with a few gourds, seems odd and disappointing to me!

you do still have into June! especially this year

[Courtney-NC]

I feel your pain - this is the worst martin year I have ever seen, at least for my site and a satellite site I am trying to get established here in NC. I have had 1 martin land on my housing once all year, and have had flyovers maybe 4 times total. I think though the issue here is that there is a moderate-sized colony only a few miles from me that is sucking all the available martins in. Maybe when that site is full, I will get his overflow one day.

One other thing - owls can rip off compartment doors on some housing, so that may be what happened to your neighbor. They will grab them at night and can decimate a colony. If he doesn't have a predator guard on his pole, it could also have been a raccoon. This goes to show also why good or lax management at another colony can affect your colony/site, in an indirect way.

Hope you see some martins soon!

[DebA]

I believe Courtney is right about your neighboring colony affecting yours. Sounds like a complete start over and you are fortunate to have them at least in your area. One thing I know from a previous post is you have a heart and I appreciate that! Someday I hope the martins get to too.
Deb

[Jeffrey_B]

I'm feeling the pain of no Martins yet either.. am in mid-Michigan, and as far as I can tell I have not had any visitors yet to the new Coates 8-room house I set up. Am still hoping!

This is my first year of trying to become a landlord.. have read several books on the matter, have the Dawnsong playing each morning from 4:00-7:00.

Jeff

[Dennis D]

It's early yet folks. Hang in there!

[tlragsdale]

I've read all the "tales of woe", and think I can top 'em all. I've yet to see or hear a single martin here in western WI….I seem to continue to have the proverbial albatross around my neck. Heck, I've yet to see any martin activity as I drive around to areas to check-out previously established sites.

The new Gemini rack I put-up last fall, hoping to entice a few visitors (OK, I was hoping for a lot of visitors ), has yet to have a martin check it out. Not giving up hope, but, golly, would I love to see some activity.

Terry/New Richmond, WI

[Barry Wallace]

Hang in there Terry, as has been stated it's very early here. I'm in Hudson but my colony is near Cumberland. As of yesterday I only have two back out of a 70 to 80 pair colony. I drive by half a dozen established sites on my way to Cumberland and have yet to see any activity. We should see a good influx of birds this week.

[Gobbler T]

Hang in there ALL of you! It does take time. Some more than others. It only took me 7 years. But as others say here, if you build it they "WILL" come. It's just not up to us, as to when they will come. If it were, this would be the most enjoyable hobby in the world. Have faith and watch the sky. Hoping each and every one of you have martins very soon.

[birdy girl]

Hang in there and martins will come. I know how frustrating it can be after your have worked so hard to provide a great site and housing for martins and then they don't come as soon as we want them to. If you have your housing in most open area as possible, nearby water, remove any trees you feel may be to close, play dawn song, eliminate starlings and sparrows, then you have about done all you can do except watch and wait. That is the hardest part. I used the think a nearby colony hurt my chances of getting martins but now I feel differently about that. A nearby colony produces offspring that could come to your colony next year. Also if a nearby colony isn't eliminating starlings and sparrows or providing owl protection, your colony could get martins that left the unmonitored colony. I hope all of you get martins this year but if it doesn't happen this year, it will happen. Just keep on trying, make any additional changes that you think might improve your martin site/housing each year and keep the faith. It will happen.

[Guest]

It is hard to be patient but actually I am surprised that Martins are back even now here in Minnesota and for those in Wisconsin I think it is just the unusually cold spring that is giving us both a late season. Just wait a little, I think they will be coming soon.

I had four birds circling around this morning for the first time. They may or may not stay, but they have made brief landings on my house. I suspect the next week or two may see some older birds arriving.

Arrivals are a little later than usual but we barely got over thirty degrees except for a very few days until now and this last week we had another snow blizzard so it should come as no surprise. Individual situations may vary but I suspect we will have a good year overall.

[eyeamtheman]

The migration is later this year. Subadults are arriving daily, and a bunch of them.
I figure there'll be plenty more coming to those up north.
And yes, an owl has apparently destroyed that colony.

[DebA]

It is so weird to read a post not realizing it started last year. Sounding familiar...then to realize that that DebA sounded so smart. Haha!
Deb

[pmlover]

don't worry you will get the subbies inmay as long as you keep their ilightway open on three sides, kill starling and sparrows
dick

[tlragsdale]

Got back from early service this morning, and actually had a pair of martins circle around to check the place out. No observed landings, but my heart did leap when I heard their wonderful chatter. First martins I've seen or heard this season.

Will keep the lights on, and welcome mat out….

[Annie G]

That's great Terry! I hope they come back for you! All is way to quiet here.. Annie

[4th Gen Martin Fan]

Deb,
Nice catch that the topic was started almost one year ago.
Wonder if the original poster is aware that his post has been revived. I hope that he did not give up last year.

It is interesting that the topic is probably even more poignant this year.
It will take off for this year also.
Mark.

[MamaBruff]

I am thinking that 3 of the PMs that hung out with Romeo were migrants. They were here for a couple of days, then gone. He is working hard to recruit, and I feel his pain when he comes home alone at twilight. HOWEVER, HEADS UP to North Colonies... 3 ASYs are headed your way! They liked my Trendsetter, but they are headed for their "real" home farther away! (2 ASYF and 1 ASYM)