Thanks to all for the replies. We do have external speakers on the house, right below our bedroom. My wife was not pleased when I was blasting the dawn song at 5:30 am with the windows open. :???: I think I will give the magnet a try. I have power right below my pole, which is about 30 yards from th...

Hi All, Middle of winter here in MN, but looking ahead to green grass and hopefully purple martins. Haven't been able to establish a consistent colony, hoping this is the year. Looking for reviews from the experts on the Songbird Magnet. The reviews on Amazon are all over the map. Tips/tricks? Do's/...

Hi All,

We live on a pond and this year the Red Winged Blackbirds have taken a liking to perching on my martin set up. I finally have some SY activity at my site. The martins and blackbirds seem to co-exist OK, but should I be discouraging the blackbirds from sitting there?

RR - never received a PM. You can e-mail me @ jake@northlandkb.com if you would like.

I've got a couple of game cameras sitting around not being used. I could ship you one, but I'm way up in MN. I think you'd just need some new batteries. Probably 3-4 days transit. Let me know.

Hi All, Upgraded to a multipurpose pole and hub over the winter and will be installing things once the ground thaws here. Quick question - would it be a bad idea to mount a house (Watersedge 2 story) on one side of the hub and a feeding tray on the other side? I'll have the four gourds underneath. G...

phldave - I'll be using a square pole, so shouldn't have an issue with orientation - as long as I get it right the first time. GFB - looks like an incredibly sturdy system! Thanks for the pic. I assume you are using an eyebolt with a pulley at the top? If anyone has attempted to put the cable inside...

Hi All, Eagerly awaiting spring as we get pounded with another blizzard here in MN. :roll: I'm upgrading my setup this year. I've purchased the multipurpose pole (just the hub and parts) - I'll be sourcing the 2" aluminum pole from a local metal supply shop. Planning to go with a 16-18 foot pole. I'...

Hi All, Appears 2018 is over for me, except maybe some visitors, so I'm eyeing upgrades for next year. I currently have a Watersedge 4 room house mounted on a 12' telescoping pole. I think its the "birds choice heavy duty". It has thumbscrews, which are starting to become unreliable. I rigged it so ...

Thanks for the feedback. There were only about 10 of the blowfly larva, and none were attached to the babies. So based on your answer, I think that can be ruled out. So probably dehydration or body temp issues? Is there anything I could have done to prevent this? I guess I can only try and learn fro...

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My only nesting pair laid 5 eggs, all hatched. I was out of town, but my estimated hatch date was 6/27 or 6/28. I checked on the 30th and all was good...all 5 OK. Checked last night and only 4 were left, and only two were moving. Checked tonight and all 4 were dead. I've had sparrows poking around t...

Update - just returned from almost a week at the lake and all 5 eggs hatched!

Experts - think these are 2-3 days old? I was anticipating a hatch date of 6/27 or 6/28.

Hi All, 2nd yr landlord with a small colony (if you can call it that) in MN. I've currently got one pair with eggs and a 2nd pair showing interest. Here are my nest checks on the 1st pair: 6/6 - 1 egg 6/8 - 3 eggs 6/11 - 4 eggs 6/17 - 5 eggs My understanding was they laid one egg per day, so the mat...

Was very pleased when an ASY Male showed up at my site this morning around 10:30. He was calmly preening himself on the top of the house for a good hour. Then he zipped right into the gourd that was occupied last year. He seemed very comfortable which leads me to think he is my founding male from la...

It'll be a while before the martins make it up here, but I have a few questions in the meantime. Succesfully hosted a pair of martins for the first time last year. SY pair arrived on June 6 and immediately started nesting. I have two gourds under a 4 room watersedge house. The female laid one egg in...

I am experiencing the rollercoaster of feelings that these birds bring. This is my first year attracting a pair, 4th year of trying. SY pair arrived in early June and stuck around - Awesome Laid egg in gourd #1 - Awesome Same female laid two eggs in gourd #2 - Awesome, but bummed she didn't lay them...

I'm in Hastings, SE of the twin cities. Have one pair and just got back from "up north" to find four more martins circling, landing, and going in and out of nests. I'm no expert, but I would say you have a couple of weeks yet.

Thanks all!

I imagine having SY birds is kinda like having teenagers.....gotta let them figure it out.