Hopeful Landlord Questions

[switchgrass2001]

I live in southwestern Minnesota and I have been trying to attract purple martins for 10 or 11 years. I have read numerous books, tried about everything I can think of, visited this forum regularly and still have come up empty handed. Over the years, the second years birds typically show up some time around the 15th of May and I usually have good activity until the first week of June. I have had SY birds visit yearly, but none have ever stayed more than one day. An SY-M showed up last Friday and hung around through Sunday morning, when my wife and I left to visit our son until we returned this afternoon (Monday). I was absolutely ecstatic when I returned home to see that the SY-M appeared to have found a girlfriend. We had some nasty storms after we got home, but they returned to the gourds afterwards and were flying overhead until dusk. About 10-15 minutes after sunset, they landed on the perches, the female entered one of the gourds, and I was assuming they were staying the night. She no sooner came out of the gourd and they flew off into the horizon. I stayed outside until dark and they never returned.

So, are they just teasing me by hanging around here during the day and then leaving at night? The female entered the same gourd about 4 times after we returned home this afternoon. She would check it out for a half of a minute or so and then they were off to feed. I've got to admit, I'm on pins and needles. I almost didn't put my gourds out this year as I was beginning to believe they just did not like my habitat as they never have stayed. I have turned off my dawn song since the male showed up and have been doing regular outdoor activities. I've tried explaining to the young bird that I would be a wonderful landlord, but I don't think he has heard me ! Second question, when do they typically roost for the night? Thanks for the website and forum. It's been a joy following over the years.

[brent]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds to me like it’s the beginning. I was once told that the first arriving martins are still in the “roosting in the trees” behavior. Once they becomes serious about companionship and nesting they will stay.Good luck. I hope they come back and stay. Brent

[white-out]

Switchgrass, I'm rooting for you! I sit every evening watching the birds come in to roost........it's a real "bash" around here lol. They fly in and enter their cavity and some fly back out. I leave at dark and there are still birds out in the sky so, I wouldn't over think it.

If they do stay, don't forget your pledge to that young bird cause he heard you!

[flyin-lowe]

Due to the fact the SY's get back later in the season my experience has been they usually settle in and start nesting a little quicker. If they were not interested in your site and were just passing through they may spend the night one day and then take back off. The fact they have been there for several days tells me they will likely stay. Congrats and good luck with them. I hope they get you started.

[birdman in buckhead]

Agree with the others. The young pair should be back and hopefully breed successfully. Maybe the female was just checking to make sure no other birds had been messing around in the gourd the pair had picked out...? The 1st pair at my place were SY. I stayed outside doing stuff in the yard as much as possible so the birds would know there was a human close by - but not intruding into their space. Good luck!

[switchgrass2001]

I don't know if I have this in me anymore !

I was pretty excited when they returned this morning. The male was checking out the gourd and sitting on the porch for about 20 minutes. I had to run some errands and I last saw them at 8:00. I have not seen them since or heard them since. The previous four days they were feeding above the property and I could basically hear them all day. I just don't understand why they won't stay. I did notice that tree swallows showed up today, but the houses for them are more than 300 ft away on the other side of a large building. Maybe they annoyed them enough. I'll keep trying, but I'm definitely going to need some luck.

[switchgrass2001]

The roller coaster ride continues and, yes, I lack patience! The pair showed up late last night and actually spent the night in their preferred gourd for the first time. This morning they were up and perching by about 6:00. A third purple martin showed up for a little while on the perch. They all took off in flight and I assumed they were heading to their "other" home. A couple minutes later, the two returned and the female had grass in her mouth! I almost passed out. She's made 4-5 trips so far and appears to be preparing the nest. I wasn't this nervous with my kids! In the end, it has been fun watching them and we will see how the story unfolds. Fingers crossed. By the way, what a beautiful morning in southwest Minnesota!!

[BillieJR]

Wow, switchgrass2001 - just when you're about ready to give it up - they surprise you. I hope they stay and keep building that nest and lay some eggs and have a successful family. I'm envious of you - I'm still waiting. Good luck!

[switchgrass2001]

Thought I should give an update. The SY-M and SY-F have been here for 8 days now and building a nest for the last 7. It sure has been fun, but I realize I have a long way to go. They have a very consistent daily routine, which I must say is quite different than I expected. I assumed they would hang around for most of the day. That's definitely not the case. They arise between 5:45-6:15 and immediately perch for a while and preen themselves. Then, they feed for a short while before working on the nest for about an hour. They typically leave about 8:30-8:45. They then return for a little while sometime between 11:30-1:30, maybe working on the nest a little. Then, they leave again until between 7:30-8:30 in the evening. Of note, all nesting material has been grass and sticks - checking with binoculars and spotting scope. I fortunately work out of the home, so I have been able to observe them quite a bit. I will say that the real thing blows away the CD that I have been playing for the past 8 years - I love listening to them.

A couple questions. Is it correct to assume they are feeding for the long stretches that they are gone?
Is this a typical daily routine? I have been reading about purple martins for years and have never come across any in-depth information about their daily routines.
How long will the SY's typically build their nest?

[C.C.Martins]

Congrats on your birds! A real treat aren't they?

What your describing is typical, even bigger groups will socialize, preen and generally seem happy in the morning. Then its time to go find food, interrupted by them coming back for a bit, then they take off again.
SYs don't normally make terribly involved nests, so they may not spend too much time nest building. What will be really exciting is when the male brings in green leaves, then you know egg laying is just around the corner!
Very nice that you are home to watch it unfold, they are quite fun. I don't remember if you said so but please make it a point that they see your activity, take it slow but let them see you. They accept you quickly and will recognize you. My wife will walk out to check the mail and the birds alarm call, I can walk almost under them and they just look.

Ups and downs in a martin world, some days full of joy, others you almost quit. Glad your martins stayed!
Hope you have a great season, wonderful beginning!
Tom

[switchgrass2001]

Tom,

I am outside quite a bit when they are around, so hopefully they will get used to me. I noticed this morning that another SY-M was perched with them after their nest building activity. The original male was not too excited about his presence. It's something new all the time - I guess that's what makes it so exciting. Still carrying grass to the nest this morning.

Todd

[C.C.Martins]

Good! Ha, if all goes well for you that male will just have to get used to company.

Glad your out and about, when ours first arrived a few years ago, I was afraid to cut the grass! Im still a bit careful, wont cut early or late especially during egg laying and tend to hurry....really no need for that. But I still do it.

You did ask earlier where they go in the afternoons, if you have other martin colonies nearby they will visit them; especially during fledge time....lots and lots of martins will show, its an exciting time for them. Somehow they know.

[switchgrass2001]

What a beautiful morning in southwestern MN. I went out to feed the dogs and check on the PM activity this morning. I noticed that when they left the gourd they were not heading southwest as they have been lately when adding grass to the nest. Low and behold they circled and landed in a cottonwood tree!! I watched them make numerous trips with leaves from the tree to the gourd. Attached is a picture of them on top of the tree. They sure did have a hard time plucking leaves off. It sure has been fun watching the process. I had some pre-nest material (pine needles) in the gourd and they added grass/twigs to the nest for 10 days.

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[Jones4381]

Congratulations! Site Fidelity enacted....Best of Luck and great job with your site.

[CTMartins]

I'm hoping those in my area just haven't flown by yet. If the tree swallows like my roost then hopefully the martin roost listed 35m away will find it too.

[switchgrass2001]

Update and more questions....

First of all, thank you to everyone who has answered my questions. I have been birding for 25 years, but as I mentioned earlier this is the first year with any purple martins hanging around. They sure make a novice feel really stupid.

My last update was late last week when I noticed the pair bringing leaves to the nest. My son got married over the weekend and I was out of town for the last day, so I have not been home much since the last update. However, I have been home the last two evenings and their behavior is completely different than during the initial nest building time. The female has gone into the gourd after sunset the last couple nights, but the male goes out to feed more and I have not seen him return. They had been hanging out closely and he would basically enter the gourd shortly after her after sunset for the last week or so. It has been in the mid- to upper-90s the last couple days, so I am curious if the hot weather may keep them from roosting together or is it the stage of nesting that does? Also, the male has dove towards me the last two nights and seemed unhappy. That is the first time that has happened and I was at a normal distance from the gourds doing my normal activities. It just seemed a little weird.

I'm home tomorrow for the first time in five days so I am planning to do a nest check. I will update with my findings.

[switchgrass2001]

Checked a purple martin nest for the first time as a landlord!! I had to chuckle as I was really nervous!! A picture of the nest is attached. If I had to guess, I think she has been sitting on the eggs today. Don't know if it is the first day, but I should be able to tell the next time I check based on the number of eggs present. They were not happy with me when I was checking the nest, so I didn't mess around and went rather quickly. Fingers crossed.

061522 First Nest Check Compressed.jpg (31.33 KiB) Viewed 7151 times

[MY FYN 79]

Awesome!

Glad you finally got some eggs! Very exciting, hopefully you get a few baby Martins this year.

[C.C.Martins]

Good looking nest!! Congrats on those eggs, shoot the martins make novices of us every year. Your plenty good.

Just plan your nest check, have everything ready before you start....easier said than done really I forget the sevin, my PEN, (I write on my hand)...also if something is amiss...fix it quick as you can.

Hope they give you a full clutch!
Tom

[randyM]

Lookin' good! Congratulations!! Please keep us posted as things progress at your site.

Randy