We had our first pair of Martins last year, 5 babies fledged. (They arrived June 1st).
At 6:45am today, an a2y male landed on the house and perched for 45 minutes in front of the compartment they raised in last year.
We have Tree Swallows and Bluebirds that compete for the Martin houses... The Bluebirds have already nested in a nearby BB house and the tree swallows, after several inquiries over the last 2 weeks, seem to have moved on.
How long do I wait to open some of the compartments on the two Martin houses?
When do I open the houses?
It’s a t-12 style house... I opened the top left hole (where they raised last year) and the bottom right on the same side.
I have another t-12 style house with double compartments. Last year a second male started a nest, in this second house, and hung around for a couple weeks competing for the female. He left after she started laying eggs. I think I’ll open a couple compartments on this house too.
I have another t-12 style house with double compartments. Last year a second male started a nest, in this second house, and hung around for a couple weeks competing for the female. He left after she started laying eggs. I think I’ll open a couple compartments on this house too.
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to daveduit@yahoo.com. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
Your other martins will be arriving within a few days, so I would open up.
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Unk Bond
==============================flmike wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:39 amWe had our first pair of Martins last year, 5 babies fledged. (They arrived June 1st).
At 6:45am today, an a2y male landed on the house and perched for 45 minutes in front of the compartment they raised in last year.
We have Tree Swallows and Bluebirds that compete for the Martin houses... The Bluebirds have already nested in a nearby BB house and the tree swallows, after several inquiries over the last 2 weeks, seem to have moved on.
How long do I wait to open some of the compartments on the two Martin houses?
Hello
Going to answer your question .In a story event. U decide
I new Martin Birds were in my area. Even seen one at my house.
So I opened my old house just in case.
So yesterday I decided to take this old house down. So my Amish friend could hall the wooden pole away. Since now I had 4 metal poles. And one was empty for this house.
In do so I forgot to open my new house still had sparrows on my mind.
So this morning low and be hole. 4 Martin birds were trying to get in my new house. Rushed out side and lowered my house and opened it up. And raised it.
The moral of this story looking back. Wouldn't I have been better off. Leaving my houses open. And fight off a few sparrows. Than to have 4 Martin birds show up and leave. Because they couldn't get access to there home. [ Later
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3789
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
If the martin was from your house they will stick around for some time waiting on you to open the housing up. When I moved from my old house to my new house we ended up taking the housing down because the new owners did not want it. The following year when the first ASYs arrived they circled the yard for over a week, looking for their housing before they finally dispersed.
I would open the housing now, if they are yours and stay great. If they are just passing through and leave in a day or so close it up if the TS or BB's try to move in.
I would open the housing now, if they are yours and stay great. If they are just passing through and leave in a day or so close it up if the TS or BB's try to move in.
2026 HOSP 27
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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Unk Bond
===========================flyin-lowe wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 6:31 pmIf the martin was from your house they will stick around for some time waiting on you to open the housing up. When I moved from my old house to my new house we ended up taking the housing down because the new owners did not want it. The following year when the first ASYs arrived they circled the yard for over a week, looking for their housing before they finally dispersed.
I would open the housing now, if they are yours and stay great. If they are just passing through and leave in a day or so close it up if the TS or BB's try to move in.
Hello flyin-lowe and Thanks
Do think it might help and change my luck . If I got myself a Amish hat.
[ Later?
The asy showed again this evening, he easily bested two Bluebirds and now occupies the same compartment they raised in last year! He is an exceptional bird, wise enough to settle here in the sweet Virgina breeze and strong enough to fight for his property rights lol!
Thanks for all the advice.
Thanks for all the advice.