First tree swallow today 3/1

John Evans · Tue Mar 01, 2016 5:18 pm

Ok at least it's a swallow

So the first martins should be arriving shortly. Usually a week or so after most years...

avesrun · Tue Mar 01, 2016 5:36 pm

John I for one really appreciate your post. It's ALMOST to a point where I look for their return as much as the martins. At least I know they're getting closer to Iowa too. I have a STRONG TS/Martin dynamic that goes on at my satellite quarry site which got started last season with 2 martin pairs. The lake is a huge draw for tree swallows. I really need the TS to get here soon so they can "do their thing" and get established in their boxes prior to martin arrival. I dislike it very much when both arrive around the same time and the TS interfere. I'm bound and determined to keep my martin doors closed until the TS are settled in. Iowa is about on the same lateral line as Ohio so hopefully I'll see TS yet this week. Thank you.
TimG

Thais G · Wed Mar 02, 2016 3:15 pm

I host them too - we have 3 TS boxes in our school and it has been a pleasure to have them! They were there before I started the martin project, so I can just hope for the best in the "dynamics" as I would never kick them out. Last year I had a pair come the martin house and lay eggs! No fledglings though

They seem to manage ok with each other, so I am going to continue to try it out!

John Evans · Wed Mar 02, 2016 3:31 pm

I host about 6 pairs of tree swallows with the martins. So far there really hasn't been any major problems. I actually had a pair nest next to a martin pair last season in Super gourds. They seemed to get along ok.
I use all gourds in 5 different systems. These TS prefer the super gourds and not the Troyer horizontal or vertical. I've seen them land on the Troyers peer in and decide they don't like it. Maybe just a fluke.

I've had for the last 2 seasons male martins trying to claim (for days) a TS gourd that is 4 foot high and on the shore line. The TS don't like it.. Funny to watch.

Anyway my 2 cents. Good luck to you both

John

P.S. It got cold last night and haven't seen the guy today.. He was here yesterday most of the day and spent time on "his gourd".

birdbrat · Wed Mar 02, 2016 6:36 pm

Hi John, So glad to see your post. My tree swallows usually get here after my martins, but not this year. I have one today in a bluebird/swallow box. I think our martins can't be far behind. The weather looks great for the next few weeks. Nothing like we went through last year. I have been reading a lot of early sighting on the scout reports so keep your eyes open, they may be early this year.

BrianC · Fri Mar 04, 2016 1:34 am

Had our first TS pair in Charles County Maryland 2/29.
2 TS pair the next day.

Now it is cooler with snow.

But I need the time to dry gourds and prepare them for the PM's anyway.

avesrun · Fri Mar 04, 2016 7:51 am

Thanks Brian. Still haven't seen a TS in my area of Iowa but it's gotta be any day now.
Keep posting first of season Trees Swallows in this thread everyone please; especially Midwest / northerly states. Id also be intrested to know which arrived first TS or martin. Thanks !

Dan G · Mon Mar 07, 2016 8:26 am

I saw my first tree swallow this morning(3-7-16) They are coming

avesrun · Mon Mar 07, 2016 8:37 am

Thanks for the post DanG. Sure hope you get martins this season. Still looking out for TS here in central Iowa. Gotta be any day now. Take care.
TimG

KathyF · Tue Mar 08, 2016 5:36 am

I've had a lone tree swallow here too, since 2/28. Saw him again yesterday too. I host ~12 pair of them every year.

avesrun · Tue Mar 08, 2016 8:40 am

Kathy : is it a concern for you each season regarding keeping Martin doors closed etc.and making sure TS are in their boxes before opening Martin houses? Or I'm wondering if after a Martin colony colony reaches a certain size if everything kind of takes care of itself. Thinking each may be different. A landlord to the south of me with 100 Martin pairs or so says between his martins and TS "everyone knows their place ". Is that true for you? Thanks
TimG

zag · Thu Mar 10, 2016 7:27 am

Tried getting Martins, gave up after 4 years.. I have Tree Swallows now, with this being my 3rd year... I put up a Troyer Vertical Gourd last year. A Adult male an a subadult female, still brown, claimed it, fledged 4.....

John Evans · Thu Mar 10, 2016 2:16 pm

Went from one to six tree swallows yesterday.. Got their homes ready.. Barely got one gourd hung and a male was on it and in it in seconds. I have a feeling they use the same site every year.. Fun to see them swooping around over the water. Get's me even more excited for the Martins arrival..