Hello forum members, I am a new landlord - I have a pair of SY and a lonely martin at my site (this is the first year I have a pair!) - and I have a few questions please:
1. do I stop the daytime chatter now? (They have been there for a week or so and as of today I have 1 egg!)
2. Today I did my first ever check into an occupied house (woohoo!) I lowered the house, but I did not realize the female was still inside. She got startled (we both got startled actually!) - could I have caused an issue? is there a way to "let them know" I am going to do a check so this does not happen again? (Hopefully she will not desert!!! They don't, do they?!)
3. Should I just expect that, at this point, my lonely guy/girl will remain lonely for the rest of the season?
4. Any additional tips for a newbie like me on caring for her first breeding couple?
Lastly, the colony is at a school and I intend to engage the children as much as possible (more likely next year as I was not quite ready in my plans for this year!) If anyone has games, activities or any curriculum material that you have created around PMs, could you please send to me? thais@thathos.com
Sincerely,
Thais
The start of a new colony - questions
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Thais G
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Mon May 05, 2014 6:37 pm
- Location: CT/Darien
- Martin Colony History: Started at unsuitable location in 2008. Many lessons learned since. Two tentative locations: Rogers International School and the "Fish Church" (downtown.) One pair in 2015; no fledglings though. No pairs 2016.
As far as training materials I think PMCA might have a initial set they can provide, then you can take it to a printer (with PMCA's permission to reprint-some printing places will not reproduce any pic or printed material without the publisher permission if it's copyright).
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ToyinPA
- Posts: 2227
- Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
- Location: PA/Avis
- Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.
Thais:
I can't offer info on day time chatter, as I've never used it.
As for scaring the female out...I tap/knock on the pole before I start lowering. That gives them a signal to leave. I never do nest checks in the morning, as that's when they lay eggs. I always try to do them after 12 PM/Noon time up to late afternoon.
SY's are still arriving in the northern states, so you may get more. I got 3 new SY's in the last few days.
Do a nest check every day or every other day. Note the date of the last egg laid. 16 to 26 days, weather depending & if the eggs are good they will hatch. I would do a nest change on day 6 if possible. By then mites or blowfly larva may be on the chicks. Check them closely (wings, feet, abdomen, face, all over) & remove any on them. Some larva may be very tiny, just a speck in size. Change the nest, make a nest bowl & place them back in the nest, facing front.
Toy in PA
I can't offer info on day time chatter, as I've never used it.
As for scaring the female out...I tap/knock on the pole before I start lowering. That gives them a signal to leave. I never do nest checks in the morning, as that's when they lay eggs. I always try to do them after 12 PM/Noon time up to late afternoon.
SY's are still arriving in the northern states, so you may get more. I got 3 new SY's in the last few days.
Do a nest check every day or every other day. Note the date of the last egg laid. 16 to 26 days, weather depending & if the eggs are good they will hatch. I would do a nest change on day 6 if possible. By then mites or blowfly larva may be on the chicks. Check them closely (wings, feet, abdomen, face, all over) & remove any on them. Some larva may be very tiny, just a speck in size. Change the nest, make a nest bowl & place them back in the nest, facing front.
Toy in PA
PMCA Member
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Thanks for establishing this colony at your school.
yes, cease with the audio. your existing martins will be the best draw for additional martins, and playing the audio may just draw in hawks, and keep martins distracted from any hawk, or maybe even in my opinion from relaxing and settling in.
when I find a martin on the nest, I generally just note it and don't disturb her and check again the next day. it's best not to check early in the morning, as they are said to lay an egg about dawn and may need to rest there for several hours.
A teacher, "martinteach" I think in Texas provided kids with binoculars and had them try to ID bugs the martins brought in. This may not be feasible with one pair, but something for next year. When the babies first hatch, the parents bring tiny gnats, but progress to dragonflies, horseflies, a few butterflies and wasps, and lots of beetles which probably can't be identified -- but might be something to do.
yes, cease with the audio. your existing martins will be the best draw for additional martins, and playing the audio may just draw in hawks, and keep martins distracted from any hawk, or maybe even in my opinion from relaxing and settling in.
when I find a martin on the nest, I generally just note it and don't disturb her and check again the next day. it's best not to check early in the morning, as they are said to lay an egg about dawn and may need to rest there for several hours.
A teacher, "martinteach" I think in Texas provided kids with binoculars and had them try to ID bugs the martins brought in. This may not be feasible with one pair, but something for next year. When the babies first hatch, the parents bring tiny gnats, but progress to dragonflies, horseflies, a few butterflies and wasps, and lots of beetles which probably can't be identified -- but might be something to do.
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Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
I would suggest reading, the Martin FAQ section. Lots of good info in there for a new landlord, especially the section on nest changes and parasites, which may be coming up for you shortly. Congrats. http://www.purplemartin.org/forumarchiv ... ve/FAQ.htm
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
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Thais G
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Mon May 05, 2014 6:37 pm
- Location: CT/Darien
- Martin Colony History: Started at unsuitable location in 2008. Many lessons learned since. Two tentative locations: Rogers International School and the "Fish Church" (downtown.) One pair in 2015; no fledglings though. No pairs 2016.
Thanks so much everyone! Chatter player is off now and since I only have one pair, all is somewhat quiet. I don't mind, I am so happy to have a pair!!
My lonely one was not there this afternoon, but s/he could have just "gone for a spin".
It is so funny, it took me forever to allow myself to celebrate the pair there - I was so afraid they might leave :-) I guess it is safe to celebrate as there is precious egg!
Thanks again - I have been following this forum for 4 years now, it is nice to be able to celebrate and enjoy!!
Best,
Thais
My lonely one was not there this afternoon, but s/he could have just "gone for a spin".
It is so funny, it took me forever to allow myself to celebrate the pair there - I was so afraid they might leave :-) I guess it is safe to celebrate as there is precious egg!
Thanks again - I have been following this forum for 4 years now, it is nice to be able to celebrate and enjoy!!
Best,
Thais
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Anthony Neira
- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
- Location: San Antonio /Texas
- Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !
Thais, Great stuff from everyone here, as expected ! 
I like to do my nest checks in the afternoon - on, between 4:00-6:30 ish, Like Joe (Vern 1) noted, in the morning, after hatching begins, there's a "Food Train" going on feeding the hungry young ones. & Like Toy stated, I also tap on the pole to let them know. Best of Luck !!
I like to do my nest checks in the afternoon - on, between 4:00-6:30 ish, Like Joe (Vern 1) noted, in the morning, after hatching begins, there's a "Food Train" going on feeding the hungry young ones. & Like Toy stated, I also tap on the pole to let them know. Best of Luck !!
PMCA Member, 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals + Tunnels, & 2 S&K Bo 11"s WITH Troyer Porches ! 4 MPPs, For 2019 Season !! Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.
Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.