So close...but not really

MidTNJerry · Sat May 05, 2012 9:10 pm

Well, I've pretty much given up for the year, but when I stepped out today I saw what I thought was a first year male perching on my gourd rack...but he looked very small for a martin. The sun was in my eyes, so I couldn't get a good ID on the bird. I went inside for a second and then looked again...and there was a second one. A second first year male??? Also pretty small. Looked closer...not martins at all...tree swallows.

I have a pair of tree swallows interested in my gourd rack. Never mind the fact that I have, count them, FIVE individual houses mounted and vacant waiting for bluebirds or tree swallows, they want my gourd rack.

Ugh.

DornCounty · Sat May 05, 2012 9:40 pm

don't give up.. subbies are still moving.

MidTNJerry · Sun May 06, 2012 8:05 am

Thanks. The tree swallow pair has definitely settled in. I want them to stay, but I'm going to try to convince them to move to one of the houses that's made for them and away from my gourd rack.

This is the first time I've had tree swallows, and I can already see their territorial nature. The house sparrow that I've been chasing away from my gourd rack all season came back this morning, and they pounced on it. The swallows have definitely claimed the whole gourd rack for themselves.

They're awesome little birds to watch.

DornCounty · Sun May 06, 2012 9:07 am

if you want any hope of snagging a martin, you have to keep the tree swallows out and sparrows out.

If you haven't seen this take the time to read it.

http://www.drugfreeworkplace.com/~Dan/T ... GENCY.html

lcline85 · Sun May 06, 2012 10:35 am

I have been seeing ALOT of tree swallows on my property the last week. I have about 4 boxes empty for them. One pair has started building a nest in one, but the others are just being checked out. So far they have been staying away from the martin house, and I really hope they leave it that way.

I would just close the entrances on your house for a day or 2 and hope those boxes look appealing. I glued some white feathers that I bought from micheals craft store onto the top of one of the houses and the tree swallows noticed it immediately!

Courtney-NC · Sun May 06, 2012 10:48 am

I know how you feel - I am having the same trouble at home with a pair of GCFs and at the satellite site with a pair of bluebirds. Ample housing available and they want the GOURD rack.

I had to lower the gourd rack at home to a height that was lower than the highest mounted gourd (for them) on a shepherd's hook to even get the GCFs to notice other housing.

It is frustrating this time of year when you get competition from natives, when time is of the essence, and you are forced to close down your martin housing.

Gook luck with the TRES!