We had several midday martin visitors up into June, but no nesting pairs. We expanded the housing to six white gourds, four of which are attached at the top of the television antenna pole, and in 2000 we had seven nesting pairs. One of the reasons people fail to attract martins is improper housing location. Martin housing should be placed 30 to 100 feet from human dwellings, in the most open site available, and at least 40 feet from trees that are taller than the martin house. The houses should be placed 10 to 20 feet above the ground.
Timing is a critical component of attracting martins.
Many would-be martin landlords open the housing too early. Four weeks after the earliest martins arrive is a better time for yearling martin use. Once martins establish nesting colonies, they return year after year to breed. Competition from other species greatly discourages martins from taking up residency. Discourage non-native competitors such as the house sparrow or European starling by trapping or shooting them and lowering the house for tearing out nests.