New hopeful landlord

[Mary Vazquez]

So I put up 2 houses 2 years ago and Nothing but now I have had 3 females and 2 males hanging around for 3 days! Is this normal, will they stay around??

[SSMartin]

If they spend the night consistently they have chosen your site and will nest. Keep them safe from sparrows, starlings, and snakes and you're sure to be successful. They'll also attract more martins to your site as the season progresses.

[Mary Vazquez]

I hope so! So excited, been waiting for almost 2 years for them! Even though they aren’t matched pairs do you think they will stay ?

[C.C.Martins]

Hi Mary and welcome! Good for you and glad they are around. Its a great sign and good start. Guess a couple of questions, Are they staying the night? Gotta watch close when its getting near dusk, they are very fast. When do they come around? Some martins visit from other sites.
To have them landing and staying around is positive!
Tom

[brent]

I think it's the beginning of a colony. Good luck!
Brent

[Mary Vazquez]

I have not seen them actually spend the night, early morning around 6 am I see them, they go in and out of the nesting holes (compartments) all day!

[C.C.Martins]

sounds like some early risers! to me, if its that early they are staying. to watch them arrive go out around 6pm and sit and watch the house. watch the sky for them but primarily the house. They come in very fast, barely touch the porch and its over.
ours down here rise a bit later, (although some sneak out) females follow males a bit later. Although as I write this I can hear them singing in their gourds.
sounds like your martins are socializing and likely males are competing for female attention trying to get her to choose his home.

[PMDavid]

Mary welcome and good luck! I’m gonna second mr.toms opinion. If you are seeing them that early in the morning then I’m gonna gamble you’ve simply been missing them come in to roost at night . I feel like they are staying. They get out and visit other birds but usually a bit later in the morning. Sit outside about 30-40 minutes before dark and watch the sky for them circling the area and stay out until dark watching closely all the while,I think ur gonna see em duck into the house. Happy watching.

[Mary Vazquez]

I watched yesterday evening and sure enough they are staying the night, they are absolutely awesome, they seem to have settled in pretty good, I do have a question about cleaning the houses if is see any uninvited guests trying to move in (I haven’t but just in case) can you bother the houses once they martins have moved in? Won’t that scare them away? Do I just wait till the season is over ?

[C.C.Martins]

It will absolutely not scare them away. If you mean removing sparrow nests?
Part of being landlord is nest checks, its super rewarding, the birds will come to accept you and what your doing as part of the environment and barely bat an eye. Nest checks are your opportunity to find out the health of your colony and get ahead of problems, its all about managing a healthy martin colony for years to come.
Some rules though (same applies to sparrow nest removal), do not attempt when the martins have come in for the night or first thing in the morning (especially during egg laying). Late afternoon is best. Plan what your going to do, have everything ready and make it a smooth job. stinks to have everything down and remember the sevin dust is in the garage.

Had to add this Mary: Socialize with your birds what I mean is if your martin house is in the back, be out there when the birds are around. don't wave a flag or anything but your day to day activity won't bother them. do it on purpose, walk out so they can see you and then slowly walk back, sounds funny but talk to them. First year I had martins I was fortunate enough to have called Louise Chambers (I knew there were martins at the Botanical Gardens) and spoke to her. I didn't want to do anything to scare them off, she said no, no, cut the grass, water and all that. Trust me. She was right.
Today I was removing algae from a small disappearing waterfall we have in front, very close to the martin house. The martins were chattering away, soon as I appeared they stopped, looked and kept chattering away. This old guy with the funny shirt is part of their environment.
Congrats!

[Mary Vazquez]

Thank you so much for all this wonderful information! I have been so nervous about being around or scaring my new tenants away! I am amazed at them, and the fact that they chose my location:) I am looking forward to years to come of more visitors! The houses have been up for two years so I better pull them down and take a look and make sure all is in order!