I just setup my housing and goards this spring and drawed in a pair of SY's, I think SY's. My binoculars aren't very strong. There babies are 11 days old today. Down stream and across the lake about 1/4 of a mile is an established colony. Being home this morning, weekend, I can see were there is a lot of birds flying around the neighbors colony. So I'm supposing that his nests are fledging. Should I be playing the dawnsong and/or the daytime chatter CD to draw them over? Or would that be too much stress on my pair feeding and taking care of my nest?
Some might say, don't worry about drawing in more martins because I have an established colony. But I only have a pair and three babies. Suppose they get killed during migration? I could use some more hopefulls for next year. Or maybe these Martins flying around will find there way over to my setup.
Thanks for advice and help.
Advice for newwbie
-
Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
rickluc, there are many opinions about what to do in your situation, but the real truth is that nobody knows what is the best thing to do.
There is no proof whatsoever, that playing the dawnsong actually causes a martin to choose your site, but they will come to investigate when you play it.
I will give you my opinion, and it is that I would not play the dawnsong any more this year, especially since you have a pair.
Many martins in the area may come and check out your housing, but that does not mean that they will nest in it next year. There are so many unanswered questions about this hobby. My advice is to do what you think is best, and your opinion is probably as good as anyones.
Congratulations on your success this year!
There is no proof whatsoever, that playing the dawnsong actually causes a martin to choose your site, but they will come to investigate when you play it.
I will give you my opinion, and it is that I would not play the dawnsong any more this year, especially since you have a pair.
Many martins in the area may come and check out your housing, but that does not mean that they will nest in it next year. There are so many unanswered questions about this hobby. My advice is to do what you think is best, and your opinion is probably as good as anyones.
Congratulations on your success this year!
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
-
Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
I agree with Emil, rickluc.
Another valid point to consider - I don't even own a CD that plays martin vocalizations. I'll bet Emil doesn't either. Purple Martins have always managed to find their way to good housing. If you take good care of the birds in your housing right now - when your little ones get ready to fledge all those birds from down the way will be at your site assisting in the process... They'll all get a good look at your place, then - that is all it takes...
Just wait and see...
Another valid point to consider - I don't even own a CD that plays martin vocalizations. I'll bet Emil doesn't either. Purple Martins have always managed to find their way to good housing. If you take good care of the birds in your housing right now - when your little ones get ready to fledge all those birds from down the way will be at your site assisting in the process... They'll all get a good look at your place, then - that is all it takes...
Just wait and see...
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
-
Guest
OK...my opinion...not that I know either....but the tape definitely attracts hawks. I had my wooden martin decoys attacted many many times....and I could see the hawks circling above when I play the martin chatter, especially if I play it for long periods and many days in a row.
Since I got one pair of martins (and had hawks circling) I stopped playing the martin chatter. Haven't seen the hawks since I stopped playing the Dawnsong.
So....I wouldn't play the Dawnsong.
P.S. a friend of mine stopped playing the Dawnsong when the hawks were attracted to his established colony by it....he thought maybe the song would increase his colony size. He decided it only increased the number of hawk visits and doesn't play it anymore.
sharon
Since I got one pair of martins (and had hawks circling) I stopped playing the martin chatter. Haven't seen the hawks since I stopped playing the Dawnsong.
So....I wouldn't play the Dawnsong.
P.S. a friend of mine stopped playing the Dawnsong when the hawks were attracted to his established colony by it....he thought maybe the song would increase his colony size. He decided it only increased the number of hawk visits and doesn't play it anymore.
sharon
-
Guest
My 2 cents' worth:
Don't play Dawnsong now.
Your neighbor's colony, with its fledglings, is or will be taking the tour of the area, with the adult birds showing the kids where the good places are for next year. The adults know you are there, let them do their job in instructing their young ones. You won't attract any new birds now, but they will remember you next year.
Last year was my first, with two pair, and not long after my 6 nestlings fledged, I had a "Martin Party" on my gourd rack, with 8 or 10 extra birds showing up for a day or two. I assumed that fledglings from other colonies were visiting me. It was pretty cool.
Congratulations on your success in your first year - hope your next season does as well or better!
Don't play Dawnsong now.
Your neighbor's colony, with its fledglings, is or will be taking the tour of the area, with the adult birds showing the kids where the good places are for next year. The adults know you are there, let them do their job in instructing their young ones. You won't attract any new birds now, but they will remember you next year.
Last year was my first, with two pair, and not long after my 6 nestlings fledged, I had a "Martin Party" on my gourd rack, with 8 or 10 extra birds showing up for a day or two. I assumed that fledglings from other colonies were visiting me. It was pretty cool.
Congratulations on your success in your first year - hope your next season does as well or better!
-
John Barrow
- Posts: 982
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 4:12 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi / Sandia , Texas
Hi rickluk. I have been trying for 4 or 5 years to build a number of successful colonies in Port O'Connor, Texas. I thought it better for there to be 10 colonies of 20 pairs, rather than have 200 pairs myself. This is a martin rich and martin loved area with many housing offerings. As of this year I think I have helped mentor 6 colonies with 20 plus pairs. In essence we are all competing with each other, and in the process all helping each other.
No matter how successful your neighbor's colony is, I can guarantee you one thing--If you put up good housing your colony will grow and thrive as his has. It takes time, money and commitment to establish a good colony, but if you are willing to offer the best housing in the area, you will likely have one of the largest colonies within a few years.
If you want to ensure your colonies growth, ask what you could do better insofar as what you offer, and offer it. There is no gimmick on the market that will ever compete with offering good housing. You will learn many good ideas on this forum on how to improve your colony. Check out the profile of who is posting and if it seems to be a good idea, try it.
Best wishes to you and your colony in the years ahead. jb
No matter how successful your neighbor's colony is, I can guarantee you one thing--If you put up good housing your colony will grow and thrive as his has. It takes time, money and commitment to establish a good colony, but if you are willing to offer the best housing in the area, you will likely have one of the largest colonies within a few years.
If you want to ensure your colonies growth, ask what you could do better insofar as what you offer, and offer it. There is no gimmick on the market that will ever compete with offering good housing. You will learn many good ideas on this forum on how to improve your colony. Check out the profile of who is posting and if it seems to be a good idea, try it.
Best wishes to you and your colony in the years ahead. jb
~~TEAMED WITH A MARTIN GODDESS~~
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)