Wow! It’s so slow this year!

[Kyler]

I seen my very first Martin on March 23 it was a ASY female flying over. I have never seen her again! Not even another one. We have been having cooler weather. For two days straight we had mist and then the last couple days have warmed back up. Maybe this next few days?? I hope!

Kyler,

[JimmyP]

Same here in SE KS I have had some visitors but that it, I'm spending a lot of time watching my houses, would sure like to see some sunshine!! usually my blue birds have started building nests by now and that hasn't happened. Getting impatient!!

[James A Lenz]

Same here in SE KS I have had some visitors but that it, I'm spending a lot of time watching my houses, would sure like to see some sunshine!! usually my blue birds have started building nests by now and that hasn't happened. Getting impatient!!

My babies came back for a day then left and haven’t been back. I changed out my gourds to the ones with the black insides. Could that be the reason they haven’t returned? Does anyone know if the Martins have a problem adjusting to the darker inside of a gourd? My rack is completely barren as well. What is up?!

[Kuemic]

Kyler, been wondering how your birds are faring. Since we returned home in March, been hoping we would see an early return of martins, but looking at our forecast the next 10 days, now hoping they stay away. Today's sun and high in the 50's will be followed by highs in the 30's and 40's, snow, heavy rain. Of course, every time I look at the forecast it changes, so hopefully it will turn warmer soon.

I also remember your colony survived a blizzard last year. Keep us up to date on the return of your martins, hope you have a great season!

James, would be interested to hear what others say about the gourds...I'm too inexperienced to have an opinion! Hope your martins return soon!

[Dave Reynolds]

Kyler... I think that is what is happening all over my area here in Southeastern, Ohio.. Most people that have reported their first returnees, are just still at that level.. The weather has not been so good for the majority of Martins to continue moving North. Some landlords that would have scouts my now have still not reported.. I think the birds are on hold, for another week or so..

Dave

[James A Lenz]

Kyler, been wondering how your birds are faring. Since we returned home in March, been hoping we would see an early return of martins, but looking at our forecast the next 10 days, now hoping they stay away. Today's sun and high in the 50's will be followed by highs in the 30's and 40's, snow, heavy rain. Of course, every time I look at the forecast it changes, so hopefully it will turn warmer soon.

I also remember your colony survived a blizzard last year. Keep us up to date on the return of your martins, hope you have a great season!

James, would be interested to hear what others say about the gourds...I'm too inexperienced to have an opinion! Hope your martins return soon!

THANKYOU Michelle I hope someone can enlighten us as well. Think I’ll start a new topic and see if that helps.

[Lizzie]

According to nature itself, martins (as other cavity nesters) should prefer dark interiors. Instinctively, it should provide a safer environment for nesting.
That being said, over the years and decades that humans have been influencing the behaviors of martins, they have probably changed their behaviors in certain respects.
In the wild, cavities are deep and rough, dark and secluded.
I have left the interiors of my wood housing natural, which is a med-dark cedar, and on the aluminum house I built, I painted the interior with the spray-on black rubberized coating....both to "un-slick" the surface, and to provide a dark environment.
Nests should feel secluded and secure.

[Dave Duit]

ditto. I had an ASY male arrive back on March 20th in central Iowa. Since that date, I have not seen another martin. I feel he is getting lonely and tired of eating supplement crickets and scrambled eggs with the nasty wet cold weather.