Freckles Report - Not my year

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For the past three days, 'Freckles', my first and one-&-only PM (subbie male), didn't visit my gourds like he has the past.

He stopped by for a total of about 30 minutes each day. He didn't hang-out in the gourds or on the porches like he use to. He just sat on the perches above the rack and preened. It was almost like he is using my site now for a place to rest during the day and is no longer looking to start a family there. :cry:

I'm thinking that with it being so late in the year, the wave of subbies have already past the north Texas area so, my chance for a pair this year is probably gone.

I knew there was a good chance of Freckles giving up at my site since he had tried to attract a mate for 21 days but....I'm really depressed. I had become so attached to him. I sat outside and talked to him each morning and evening. It had become part of my routine and I was really pulling for him to find a lady.

My husband keeps reassuring me that this is the MOST activity I've ever had at my site and that we must be doing something right. He's really trying to make me feel better. God love 'em!

Maybe next year, my 5th year of trying, will be my lucky year. :roll:
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Dennis D
Posts: 396
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:49 am
Location: Illinois/Swansea

Hang in there. 6 yrs was the magic number for me. Provided he survives the trip, he will be back next year as an adult, with better chances of attracting a mate. he will not give up - so hang in there. It is frustrating but this is one area of martins we cannot control.
Dennis D
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Guest

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, Dennis. :)
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Annie G
Posts: 341
Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 3:09 pm
Location: Wisconsin/Portage

Jennifer, Having a sub-adult male is a very good thing so I think you are on the way. Next year he will come back in his purple suit and grab a gal in no time. I also feel what you are feeling. My sub-adult male I had last summer came for a visit, checked out his compartment and left with another pair from across the river. :cry: He came back acouple times with a gal, but did not stay. I'm still going to try anyway. We both can look to the future with hope. :wink:
Keep trying and keep your chin up, its easier to see the martins coming!!
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cchild03
Posts: 412
Joined: Sun May 28, 2006 12:03 pm
Location: Kansas/Leavenworth

Jennifer,

I know exactly how you're feeling. I had a very interested visitor last year who never could attract a mate. He came early and left early enough in the season that I didn't even have the benefit of having him return this year as an ASY--I think he found a mate and permanent home last year once he stopped visiting my place.

I think your Freckles is a different story. I truly believe that he'll be back next year if he survives the trip south and back. And then he'll have NO problem attracting the ladies ... and then some!
Candace
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Guest

Thanks Annie! You put a smile on my face when I read, "he will come back in his purple suit". Perfect! :grin:

Thank you for sharing your story. I know there are people on this forum who can definately relate to my feeling of lose. I can't believe how attached I became to a little bird.
Annie G wrote:Jennifer, Having a sub-adult male is a very good thing so I think you are on the way. Next year he will come back in his purple suit and grab a gal in no time. I also feel what you are feeling. My sub-adult male I had last summer came for a visit, checked out his compartment and left with another pair from across the river. :cry: He came back acouple times with a gal, but did not stay. I'm still going to try anyway. We both can look to the future with hope. :wink:
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Guest

Candace -

Thank you for your words of encouragement. I know that we've both shared moments of frustration, worry and disappointment this year. I hope and pray that Freckles makes it back next year....because my husband and I will be waiting with the red carpet for him!
cchild03 wrote:Jennifer,

I know exactly how you're feeling. I had a very interested visitor last year who never could attract a mate. He came early and left early enough in the season that I didn't even have the benefit of having him return this year as an ASY--I think he found a mate and permanent home last year once he stopped visiting my place.

I think your Freckles is a different story. I truly believe that he'll be back next year if he survives the trip south and back. And then he'll have NO problem attracting the ladies ... and then some!
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Guest

Jennifer: I am hoping for you that Freckles comes back next year; last year I experienced the same situation as you, my only tenant Maverick tried unsuccessfully to find a female who would adventure to start a new colony. This year, Maverick and Mavis fledged four healthy martin babies. It takes time and patience and is worth the wait. - Judy
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MichelleB
Posts: 25
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 12:03 am
Location: WA/Olympia

Hi Jennifer....I hope & pray "Freckles" will return safely next yr cause
he was very faithful this year, which is unusual for an sy! Lewsville seems like a nice place for martins. My first yr (1991)I had 1 pr (fledged 2).
The next yr I had 4 pr & they fledged 17. La seems to be a natural for martins. This year (my 8th yr) I have between 50 to 60 martins
"hanging" around....So far it looks like 117 fledging. You are young & just getting started, so have some more patience & you will score!!! I have
worked up to 28 nests. They are coming & going all day long. we watch
them every day with joy!!
Jos & Edith Lefebvre (82 yrs old) Baton Rouge, La
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Guest

Judy,

Thank you for sharing your story with me. It's so great to hear that I'm not alone in this situation and that our subbies come back.

Congratulations to Maverick and Mavis. :grin: I hope to have the same story to share about Freckles next year.
judya wrote:Jennifer: I am hoping for you that Freckles comes back next year; last year I experienced the same situation as you, my only tenant Maverick tried unsuccessfully to find a female who would adventure to start a new colony. This year, Maverick and Mavis fledged four healthy martin babies. It takes time and patience and is worth the wait. - Judy
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Guest

What a wonderful success story!! Thank you so much for sharing. :grin:

Sounds like your address is a perfect place for martins! I'm sure the landlords have a LOT to do with it. :wink:

Thank you for the encouragement. I will do my best to be patient as you suggest and keep my fingers crossed for Freckles next year.
joslef10 wrote:Hi Jennifer....I hope & pray "Freckles" will return safely next yr cause
he was very faithful this year, which is unusual for an sy! Lewsville seems like a nice place for martins. My first yr (1991)I had 1 pr (fledged 2).
The next yr I had 4 pr & they fledged 17. La seems to be a natural for martins. This year (my 8th yr) I have between 50 to 60 martins
"hanging" around....So far it looks like 117 fledging. You are young & just getting started, so have some more patience & you will score!!! I have
worked up to 28 nests. They are coming & going all day long. we watch
them every day with joy!!
Jos & Edith Lefebvre (82 yrs old) Baton Rouge, La
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Guest

I'm so sorry about Freckles :-( Try to hang in there!
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