I hope there's something going on

avesrun · Thu Apr 24, 2014 7:06 pm

had three more asy males come to my set up about 5 o'clock this evening.
they circled and landed on the house for about 5 to 10 minutes in the area and then left. at least I'm getting some action.
Tim

taxidermy lady · Thu Apr 24, 2014 7:52 pm

Hi Tim, wondering if you are playing a cd and have any decoys out?? Thanks and good luck

avesrun · Thu Apr 24, 2014 9:10 pm

hi Sharon. I have one decoy on top of the T 14. I play dawn song in the morning and daytime chatter with song magnset during the day. I was using the songbird magnet when the asy males showed up. dawn song is played through speaker on t14. songbird magnet played on top of stump about 10 yds. from setup. I have a daytime chatter CD on order at this time. not sure where these adult males are coming from. hoping they bring back some females as the season wears on. I have a hard time believing they are migrants. the only colony I know of nearby is a golf course 2 miles away. checked all my entrances is with go no go gauge this evening and they are okay. can't help but think these are birds looking for round holes. all I can do is keep the faith. I believe my site is okay I have plenty of Flyway space. could it be these males will come back with some s y females when the subbies arrive? I sure hope so.
tim

avesrun · Thu Apr 24, 2014 9:39 pm

the golf course has about five houses scattered throughout the course near ponds.they have no pulleys or winches and round holes and lots of s &s.they do have established martins though and take the houses down each Fall and clean them out and have been doing so for nearly 30 yrs. so their martins are not used to SREH. anyone think I should provide a few round holes? And if I do, what should I do if martins nest in them? I have lots of starlings and hosp are a factor too. thanks.
tim

Dennis D · Thu Apr 24, 2014 10:25 pm

avesrun wrote:hi Sharon. I have one decoy on top of the T 14. I play dawn song in the morning and daytime chatter with song magnset during the day. I was using the songbird magnet when the asy males showed up. dawn song is played through speaker on t14. songbird magnet played on top of stump about 10 yds. from setup. I have a daytime chatter CD on order at this time. not sure where these adult males are coming from. hoping they bring back some females as the season wears on. I have a hard time believing they are migrants. the only colony I know of nearby is a golf course 2 miles away. checked all my entrances is with go no go gauge this evening and they are okay. can't help but think these are birds looking for round holes. all I can do is keep the faith. I believe my site is okay I have plenty of Flyway space. could it be these males will come back with some s y females when the subbies arrive? I sure hope so.
tim

I wouldn't worry about the holes. They don't "look" for round holes they look for suitable housing and nesting sites. If your getting birds to show up you just have to wait until you get some that decide to stay. They could be from other colonies or just passin thru.

taxidermy lady · Fri Apr 25, 2014 4:16 am

Thanks Tony, I am playing dawn song in morning 4:00a.m. - 6:00a.m. I have no decoys out. That's all I am doing. They seem skeptical about the fake stuff! Good luck I know how you are feeling. I am hopeful for a SY. All those adult birds that has visited mine has homes already. They just come to the cd sound. Thanks just trying different things.

kehunter · Fri Apr 25, 2014 5:33 am

I can second the opinion that the hole configuration is not as important as other factors such as flyway space, lack of predators / pest bird competition. My "first year" site was quickly occupied by ASY birds that had only ever used round holes at a neighbor's house. They started using my SREH without hesitation.

Be patient...if they're looking and landing, I believe you'll eventually have birds. If the ASY birds have already committed to their existing sites for this season, but have now "discovered" yours.....they may visit a lot this season but hold off until next season to nest. I'm betting the ASY birds will continue to show interest, and in doing so could very well lure in some SY birds that would immediately settle in. Keep us posted!

taxidermy lady · Fri Apr 25, 2014 6:18 am

Thanks KeHunter, this is what we are hoping. We still have a whole month!!

4th Gen Martin Fan · Fri Apr 25, 2014 8:22 am

Kevin,
You are now a great advocate of purple martins. Encouraging people is fantastic.

Sharon,
From your other post, I do suspect that it is a little bit harder to start a colony away from a community.
But once site fidelity is established then they will coming back to you year after year after year.
I really, really like your site and set up. Very nice. You have the "curb" appeal that martins will ultimately be unable to resist.
I know that you are already a purple martin cheerleader. I am still predicting that you will be responding to other new landlords like Kevin in a few weeks.
One, Two, Three, Four; Who do we appreciate?!; Sharon!!!
Mark.

taxidermy lady · Fri Apr 25, 2014 8:27 am

I am so glad I am not working today and can respond to you all fast. I love this forum because it keeps me thinking positive and us newbies are not alone. I think my site is beautiful. If I were a martin I would make it my home!!