Very Happy First Time Landlord

MSchmohl · Sun May 03, 2015 10:47 am

I just have to post this to help encourage others who are trying to attract PMs.

I'm a first time landlord this year. I put up a barn and now 6 gourds in March. I currently have 4 very happy ASY PMs staying at my site. Two males and two females. The subbies haven't even arrived here yet, so hopefully more will come. Until then I am very much enjoying watching and listening to the four PMs that I have. They are so entertaining that I'm not getting much else done around the house because I'm so drawn to watching them.

About a month ago I was so frustrated with the HOSP that I was about to take everything down including my Bluebird house and feeders. Through the encouragement on this forum and my husband's encouragement I kept all alone. I'm so glad I hung in there because now I have a BB box with 5 eggs and PMs who, I think, are bringing in green leaves to their nest. I'll check them later today when they are out foraging.

In the past week I was successful in ridding my yard of four HOSP and the native birds are so much happier, too.

So to those who are trying to attract PMs, don't give up! It is so worth it to keep trying. I wish you all luck.

taxidermy lady · Sun May 03, 2015 11:19 am

That is super all ASY is a double super!!!! Good luck with them!

avesrun · Sun May 03, 2015 11:25 am

Very nice mschmoll! Is this your first year? Seems to me you had a close neighbor who also has martins? Best of season to you.
TimG

Matt F. · Sun May 03, 2015 11:29 am

Great update MSchmohl!
That is exciting news!

Great work as well modifying your barn to use the more robust, round pole with rope and pulley.

avesrun · Sun May 03, 2015 11:37 am

By the way, are you related to any Schmohls in Iowa? I know a Merlyn Schmohl who currently resides in eastern Iowa. Just curious.

TimG

MSchmohl · Sun May 03, 2015 1:38 pm

[quote="avesrun"]Very nice mschmoll! Is this your first year? Seems to me you had a close neighbor who also has martins? Best of season to you.
TimG[/quote]

Avesun,

Yes, I have a neighbor about 1,500 arial feet from me who has a colony. There are also several other colonies in the Kearney, MO area. I'm sure this is a big factor in me being successful in attracting PMs in my first year. As for your question about having relatives in Iowa, I'm not aware of any. I'll have to check with my husband.

MichaelH · Sun May 03, 2015 9:24 pm

Very happy for you ,four must be the magic number ,hope things keep going your way happy times ,enjoy there's nothing better than watching there flight antics and there chatter My second yearns a wannabe and got 4 birds myself loving these birds so interesting
Mick

Trishy · Mon May 04, 2015 6:40 pm

Congratulations. Glad they finally arrived. Hope you have a great season.

Anthony Neira · Mon May 04, 2015 8:55 pm

Big Congrats ! Could you tell us about the barn house, what are the black squares on the roof & top of pole ? Is that a porch divider that's dark looking on the center upper floor with the Martin ? I would say, that if you don't have dividers, I'd get some, they help the young ones in several ways , just my 2 pennies

, & Thanks for giving others hope ! Great Job !!