Well, I have been very excited for the past 2 days. I would get up in the morning make my coffee and watch the house. About 7:30 until about 10:30 I would have a of Martin come and stay but after 10:30 it would leave and dont return so Im not sure what is going on. He would go into a compartment and look around. I have seen up to 3 Martins there at a time.
Im gonna assume that he brought a female by because it was a lighter color and when she landed he went into the compartment. She stuck her head in but would not go in. She stay a few minutes then left. Little bit later I think another male landed because they started fighting and went to the ground. They flew off and not returned sense then. After 10:30 there has been no activety on either day. So are staying or are they going?
Are they staying or are they going??
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kandadaddy
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu May 16, 2013 9:09 am
- Location: KY/Winchester
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Kick back, relax, and watch the show. The best thing that could be happening, is. The male is trying to get a female to accept your site. Don't change anything, keep the sparrows and starlings out, and give the new guys a little space to get acquainted with your site. Good luck.
2021
T14
10 Pair
49 Fledged
T14
10 Pair
49 Fledged
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Sounds like you have a male who really likes your place. Now he just has to woo a female to accept your place and she will select her favorite compartment.
That other male likes your place and wants to steal the female for himself.
No guarantees but sounds like you have a desirable site.
The last 2 posts are spot on recommendations.
Mark.
That other male likes your place and wants to steal the female for himself.
No guarantees but sounds like you have a desirable site.
The last 2 posts are spot on recommendations.
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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kandadaddy
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu May 16, 2013 9:09 am
- Location: KY/Winchester
Well,sense I posted this last weekend,it has basically rained most of the week and been very cool.I had to work Saturday so this was the first day I have actually been able to watch my house.I was very dissapointed with what I saw this morning.Which I saw NO Martins but plenty of tree sparrows.Had all my holes open because of the martins visting and going in to look around but now I have them all close because of the tree sparrows have teaken over from what I can tell.I seen them run off starlings that come to the house so I know they are running the martins off also.I dont have the distance to put up a bird house for the sparrows to go to. My fence and property line are only about 30 feet away. So what can I do to deter the tree sparrows and get the martins back to visiting. Havent seen any Martins at all today.
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Do you mean Tree Swallows, the swallows with blue-green back and white belly? You could put up a wooden box for them or a single gourd, in front of your fence. Plug all entrances on the martin house until the swallows move into their new home.
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kandadaddy
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Thu May 16, 2013 9:09 am
- Location: KY/Winchester
Yes, I do mean swallows. LOL I will put up a couple of boxes in hope of them taking residence there. but they will be real close to the martin house.
2013-Visitors(6) overnighters(0)
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2014-Visitors(5) overnighters(0)
2015-1 pair, 4 fledge, visitors(10)