When to expect Martins?
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Guest
I plan on putting up a PM house for next year. I live in South Louisiana, when can I expect home searchers in my area?
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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.
Hello.
http://www.purplemartin.org/main/helpful.html
This link will take you to a map that shows approximate arrival dates of the first scouts returning to breeding sites each season. Please keep in mind, these are the oldest birds, returning to the site of their successful nesting from the previous season. In Louisiana, you could easily see Purple Martins in your area and checking out your site within a few weeks of these dates. The Sub-adult (SY) wave usually arrives within 6 weeks of the first birds. The SYs are the PMs that usually start new colonies. However, any ASYs who were unsuccessful in raising their young in this season, may be looking for new housing next season.
Please take advantage of the off season to read about and educate yourself on hosting a Purple Martin colony. The PMCA website and this Forum are excellent sources of a lot of valuable information.
Good luck and best wishes for success.
http://www.purplemartin.org/main/helpful.html
This link will take you to a map that shows approximate arrival dates of the first scouts returning to breeding sites each season. Please keep in mind, these are the oldest birds, returning to the site of their successful nesting from the previous season. In Louisiana, you could easily see Purple Martins in your area and checking out your site within a few weeks of these dates. The Sub-adult (SY) wave usually arrives within 6 weeks of the first birds. The SYs are the PMs that usually start new colonies. However, any ASYs who were unsuccessful in raising their young in this season, may be looking for new housing next season.
Please take advantage of the off season to read about and educate yourself on hosting a Purple Martin colony. The PMCA website and this Forum are excellent sources of a lot of valuable information.
Good luck and best wishes for success.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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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
namvet66, When you put up your house next year, you probably will attract a lot of sparrows, maybe even a few starlings. If you put up your house in January or early February, you will get a lot of chances to trap or shoot some sparrows & starlings, and that is the good thing. Do not let the sparrows or starlings stay in your housing.
You may attract martins as late as April, so keep your housing open, and good luck
You may attract martins as late as April, so keep your housing open, and good luck
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps