Thank You

[ondrasmom]

Although I didn't get any PM's this year, I did learn a lot and get excited just thinking about next year. Just wanted to thank all you veterans for answering the newcomers questions. You all helped so much with your information. I have printed a lot of your articles and just wanted to personally thank all of you who answered my questions, that sometimes I was actually embarrassed to ask. Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[RC Moser]

Doris, In my opinoin (IMO) get another house up next year and double you chances of gettiing PMs nest year But, don't let the starlings in You have a great chance of getting martins in Tn IMO.

[Guest]

Doris, Your profile says that you put up four gourds, but I'm not sure what kind. Have you tried natural gourds? Some people swear by them. I've tried lots of things, but in my area, nothing seems to work. For you, though, you shouldn't have much trouble attracting martins in Tennessee.
If you do decide to try naturals, perhaps you could leave one or two of them a natural color by either painting them a light brown color or by putting a few coats of urethane on them. I wouldn't do that to all of them, but it's an alternative that I think is worth trying on some of your natural gourds if you have them now or buy/raise some in the future.

I don't know if you have been playing Dawnsong and/or Daytime Chatter or not. Some people think that is the answer to getting them. I've been playing it for at least five years and still haven't gotten them, but then again, martins are nonexistant around here, so you can't judge its effectiveness by my situation.

I think the more out in the open your housing is, the better. I think also living near water is a plus. I know that there are people who have managed to attract them in states where the martin population is low, but I'd almost be willing to bet that in most of those cases the people live right by or fairly close to a lake. Since I believe the martin population in Tennessee is pretty high compared to a lot of other states, I don't think that being close to water is an important criteria for you.

I would encourage you to keep the starlings and house sparrows away from your martin housing. I've been trying for martins for a long time and trap s&s because I don't want them taking over the place, with or without martins.

I don't know if you've had any martins stop at your place at all and check out the gourds, but I'd bet that they will find you within a reasonable time. I don't think you'll have to wait long at all. No matter how discouraged you might get at times, just don't give up and it will happen.

[ondrasmom]

Early in the Spring they stopped, checked out the place and I played the dawn song, then I played daytime chatter. Something, I think the Blue Birds moved them on. I now have my Blue Birds moved away, and I had two babies, by the way. So hopefully next year I will have Martins to report. I am also growing natural gourds this year. My family is really starting to wonder about me.

[Guest]

I'm glad to hear that you had bluebirds; they're nice to have too. I've enjoyed mine here every year for the past 15+ years. I'll look forward to hearing about those martins that you will get someday. Growing gourds is fun; I think you will like preparing them for the birds. I'm in my fourth year of growing them, but some years are a lot better than others. This year looks good so far. Don't feel bad...my family has wondered about me for years already, but they still didn't get rid of me!

[ondrasmom]

Good to hear. Will let you know how my gourds turn out. So far they're looking good.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

ondrasmom, good luck next year! if you put up a new house, be sure to select a very wide open place for the housing. The martins love the houses that don't have any trees around. The Number One reason for not getting martins is that the houses are too close to the trees.