No Nesters, Leave Dawnsong On All Summer?

[Michelle]

Questions for the experts:
This year the SY male that was hanging around brought a lady friend over to check the place out a few days ago. They have since not been back to the house but are flying around occasionally. 2 questions:
1. How long should I wait to close the house in Northeast Ohio?
2. When I close the house and leave up for the summer for this year’s fledgelings to find it, do I keep playing the Dawnsong all summer?
Thanks.

[Mstan]

Michelle, I am no expert by any means. I would leave your house up all summer and play the day song as well. The reason being, SY or juveniles heading back south might hear the song and mark your house for next season. In 2022 I got my house up middle to late June. It was too late for nesting pairs but I did have visitors. In 2023 I had around eight pair and fledged around 20. This year 25 of 28 gourds are occupied and last nest check was 97 hatchlings and 24 eggs. The birds are now starting to fledge. I hope all goes well. Stan

[Michelle]

Michelle, I am no expert by any means. I would leave your house up all summer and play the day song as well. The reason being, SY or juveniles heading back south might hear the song and mark your house for next season. In 2022 I got my house up middle to late June. It was too late for nesting pairs but I did have visitors. In 2023 I had around eight pair and fledged around 20. This year 25 of 28 gourds are occupied and last nest check was 97 hatchlings and 24 eggs. The birds are now starting to fledge. I hope all goes well. Stan

Thanks Stan. That makes sense that it would attract more attention than just the house alone. Our house has been up since 2018 and 2023 was the first time we had visitors. When you had visitors in 2022, were they on their way south late in the season and did you have the song on all summer? Sounds like your colony is thriving and growing!

[Mstan]

You’re welcome Michelle. In 2022 I didn’t get my gourds up til late June early July. The visitors never entered any of my gourds. They would visit and perch on the rods above my gourds. I would think they were maybe visiting from a nearby colony. Be encouraged the martins have marked your site. I’m sure you will be a terrific landlord.
Stan

[Michelle]

You’re welcome Michelle. In 2022 I didn’t get my gourds up til late June early July. The visitors never entered any of my gourds. They would visit and perch on the rods above my gourds. I would think they were maybe visiting from a nearby colony. Be encouraged the martins have marked your site. I’m sure you will be a terrific landlord.
Stan

Thank you so much Stan. I am hopeful next year we will have some that stay.

[Jones4381]

1. How long should I wait to close the house in Northeast Ohio?
2. When I close the house and leave up for the summer for this year’s fledglings to find it, do I keep playing the Dawnsong all summer?
Thanks.

I leave up housing till Mid-September in S.W. VA, maybe a little longer than needed but I'd like for all the area travelers on this path to see an inviting place for the hatchlings that are house planning for next year. Most birds are gone here by Aug 10th to join the large roost and prepare for the journey to S. America but I like to think 1000's of birds will fly over from up north during the trek. Maybe a little excessive to play the song all summer as many new birds will see your site based on visitors already. I'd focus on elimination of sparrows and prepping for Next March-April. Welcome to the forum and we all look forward to hearing your stories as they unfold.

[Michelle]

1. How long should I wait to close the house in Northeast Ohio?
2. When I close the house and leave up for the summer for this year’s fledglings to find it, do I keep playing the Dawnsong all summer?
Thanks.

I leave up housing till Mid-September in S.W. VA, maybe a little longer than needed but I'd like for all the area travelers on this path to see an inviting place for the hatchlings that are house planning for next year. Most birds are gone here by Aug 10th to join the large roost and prepare for the journey to S. America but I like to think 1000's of birds will fly over from up north during the trek. Maybe a little excessive to play the song all summer as many new birds will see your site based on visitors already. I'd focus on elimination of sparrows and prepping for Next March-April. Welcome to the forum and we all look forward to hearing your stories as they unfold.

Thanks for your input @jones4381. I will be leaving my house up all summer so the Martins can see it. The house is all ready to go with guards and all, just waiting for the first tennant! I am more north but I too hope that thousands will be traveling by to see it. Our sparrow population is down at the moment, but will continue monitoring throughout the summer. We have vowed to start with the sparrows earlier next year! I will be sure to let you all know the latest!