Confused About Martins in Indiana.
According to the Scout report it looks like the Scouts are through the state. What I dont understand is I thought Martins were suppost to return to thier nesting site each year. Last year I had eight pair raising thirty-eight young and also some Subies hanging around.This year I dont have the first bird. Any thoughts ?
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bwenger
- Posts: 1057
- Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2005 7:24 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania/Espyville/Pymatuning Reservoir Area
- Martin Colony History: Taking care of 11 active public colonies and trying to start two more in northwestern PA. Also attempting to restart another one in southwestern PA, in Collier Township's Hilltop Park. In 2017, not sure what happened but the ASY male returned and then a couple of weeks later he was gone. It could have been weather related. No other birds showed up. I had a starling nesting at the Public site that I had trouble getting rid of.
In 2018, we fledged 629 martins at all of the sites.
Flylow,
Congratulations on your colony last year.
I believe you need to give your birds a chance to get back. A lot of the scouts are probably some of the oldest birds in the colony, so if your colony just got started last year, most of the birds are probably fairly young.
When you think of it, some of these colonies are fairly large, but they post the first bird that returns to their colony. They may have to wait another 2-4 weeks for the rest of their birds to show up.
One thing that most martin enthusiasts, need to have, is patience.
Good luck in '08'.
Still a wannabe, 08 is the year!
Bill
Congratulations on your colony last year.
I believe you need to give your birds a chance to get back. A lot of the scouts are probably some of the oldest birds in the colony, so if your colony just got started last year, most of the birds are probably fairly young.
When you think of it, some of these colonies are fairly large, but they post the first bird that returns to their colony. They may have to wait another 2-4 weeks for the rest of their birds to show up.
One thing that most martin enthusiasts, need to have, is patience.
Good luck in '08'.
Still a wannabe, 08 is the year!
Bill
hey fellow Indiana PM lover.......I had 38 pair raise 174 last year...my first arrived March 29 but half of those birds havn't arrived yet.....I always would rather they wait a week or two till the weather is a little kinder for them......your martins may have caught the Weather Channel and decided not to be in a hurry to come north LOL
Hang in there....don't dispair...they'll be here!!.....There are still many that are still to return here too....and with some new housing I'll be waiting till May for the new kids to get back and find that house!
tom
Hang in there....don't dispair...they'll be here!!.....There are still many that are still to return here too....and with some new housing I'll be waiting till May for the new kids to get back and find that house!
tom
2004 3pr 13 f 2005 18pr 80 f 2006 36 pr 138 f
2oo7 38 pr 176 f 2008 41 pr 154 f
2009 51 pr 209 f 2010 61 pr 247 f
2011 124E 122Y 55P so far
2 Sweet 16s SREH homemade
2 Trio Castles converted 24 into 12 w/porch dividers + SREH (for sale EOS )
1 towering "20" 76 total cavities
2oo7 38 pr 176 f 2008 41 pr 154 f
2009 51 pr 209 f 2010 61 pr 247 f
2011 124E 122Y 55P so far
2 Sweet 16s SREH homemade
2 Trio Castles converted 24 into 12 w/porch dividers + SREH (for sale EOS )
1 towering "20" 76 total cavities
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3789
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
A few of the colonies near me are just starting to get PM's back, I talked to one person who reported a return and they only had one back. I am still trying and hoping this is my year.
PS I like your screen name
PS I like your screen name
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Guest
I saw the first Martin (an ASY male) last Friday on one of "my" PM house porches. I was hoping it was my last year's subbie all grown up, but I haven't seen him (or any other) again, so I don't think it was him. The weather's been awful here and won't get better until at least this Sunday (rain rain rain), so I'd just as soon they wait, even though I'm dying to hear & see them again.
Good luck this year...
- Steve
Good luck this year...
- Steve
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Guest
I posted about the same question this morning. I didn't have any martins here until June 2 last year. Fledged 3 birds last year. I think June is really late.
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Glen Webb Jr
- Posts: 478
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 1:03 pm
- Location: Illinois/Stewardson
Last year I had 45 pair and loads of SY bachelors. Yet, I only have around 25 birds back so far. That's about a 1/3 of my colony. I still see houses across Effingham still lowered and not opened. My friends at the lake have not seen a martin yet. Birds are gonna take time is all I can say.
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Guest
I think you are about to see a huge influx in martins. We went from not having one visitor for over a month, then starting yesterday I am seeing 20+ a day. They will circle around the house, do a few swoops then will take off.
Fear not, they are on the way.
Fear not, they are on the way.
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Mary Dawnsong
- Posts: 1685
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 8:17 pm
- Location: Michigan, Livingston County
Hi Flylow,
Don't worry, with a colony that size you will get returning birds.
Yes, martins who survive winter and migration are loyal to their breeding site. However, the oldest martins return earliest. As your colony gets more established, you will develop site-loyal senior birds who return earlier.
Here's a great article on the topic from PMCA Update Magazine:
http://www.purplemartin.org/update/Age- ... s12(2).pdf
My best, Mary
Don't worry, with a colony that size you will get returning birds.
Yes, martins who survive winter and migration are loyal to their breeding site. However, the oldest martins return earliest. As your colony gets more established, you will develop site-loyal senior birds who return earlier.
Here's a great article on the topic from PMCA Update Magazine:
http://www.purplemartin.org/update/Age- ... s12(2).pdf
My best, Mary
Click here to see my colony
"In Michigan every martin matters"
"In Michigan every martin matters"