Martins are on their way

James Strickland FL · Fri Nov 14, 2008 9:15 am

Just think that in just about 36 days that martins can be here in the United States again. There now getting ready to start that long trip back to us. I'm sure that large flock have started forming in the South and that need to start a family has already started. In a week or so they will be heading up the coast and around Christmas someone will look out and see a beautiful site and this will let them know they are home. Those of us in Florida and Texas should start getting things ready for that first one to arrive. Time moves fast and it will be on us soon and we can do the Happy Dance without the white coat men around.

The Olsons · Fri Nov 14, 2008 6:54 pm

James,
You are right, it is getting so very close now in FL and TX to our babies being back. It seems just a short while ago that I posted that it was only 113 days away from them returning, and now it is down to 80 days. That is not very long and I am all so excited and all ready to do the HAPPY DANCE and the white coat men just need to stay away

Linda Reynolds · Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:35 pm

James, they are getting ready, and will be on their way very, very soon. If history repeats itself, Florida will be submitting the very first arrival reports.

Here is some information gathered from the PMCA's Scout Arrival Report for 2008

Earliest ASY reports:

LA - January 9, 2008 - Kenner

TX - January 19, 2008 - Port O,Connor, and Hempstead

FL -

December 22, 2007 - Naples
December 23, 2007 Punta Gorda
January 2, 2008 - Pembrook Pines
January 6, 2008 - Bradenton
January 11, 2008 - Sebastian and Ft. Myers
January 12, 2008 - Everglades City, Punta Gorda, Palmetto, Melbourne, Ft. Myers, Rockledge, Naples,
January 13, 2008 - Ft. Myers, St. James City, Marco Island, Sebastian, and Naples
January 14, 2008 - Vero Beach, Naples
January 15, 2008 - Tampa, Deltona
January 16, 2008 - Okeechobee, Lakeland
Janurary 17, 2008 - Winter Haven, Bonita Springs, Homestead
January 18, 2008 - Miramar, Venice, Palm City, Apopka, Miami,

James Strickland FL · Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:02 pm

!2/22 will be here before you know it. I can not wait for the first report.

bwenger · Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:18 pm

James,

Everyone on this site is rooting for you to re-establish your colony there. Since I haven't been able to start my own colony, the hoping is always there, but to have them and then to lose them, that seems much more devastating. I am glad that you are looking forward to this year, since a lot of us were concerned last year that you may throw in the towel. Never give up!

Wishing you a very successful year in 2009.

Bill

James Strickland FL · Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:11 am

Thanks, I just bought a new Trendsetter 26 house and I am starting to change the set-up this weekend. I think that I will get martins to nest here again.

bwenger · Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:06 pm

James,

I guess the main thing is not to give up. We all know how frustrating it is when we just can't get that lone pair to stay. If we only knew what they wanted.

If I recall correctly, you didn't even see many birds last year, which would make it doubly frustrating.

Hopefully there will be a lot of returning birds to your general area, and once they see the Trendsetter, they'll be thinking that there at the Ritz Carlton.

Counting the days,

Bill

James Strickland FL · Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:46 pm

Bill, Your right as far as the number of birds that showed up. I also think that with florida being in a drought for several years that the food supply had been impacted. With a nice rainy season that we had and I have seen more dragon fly this year in years past, I think that it will bring more martins in to nest.
I have read on here that when the insect populations was down that the number of martins fledgling went down and that they had less numbers of nesting martins. I feel this has been one of the reasons for me not getting any martins to nest last year and I think the four fledglings that were dead in the nest the year before may have been for a food shortage than a SY male killing them. I hope this year things will pick-up.

James Strickland FL · Sun Nov 23, 2008 2:29 pm

We are now less than 28 days before the martins start to show. I am starting to fell the dance.

The Olsons · Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:06 pm

You go James, you go.....

Exciting times!!!!!!!

Linda Reynolds · Sun Nov 23, 2008 5:06 pm

Astrid is right, these are very exciting times. The entire community looks to Florida for the very first reports, late December. Landlords and ladies keeping their finger on the pulse of things happening to the south is VERY exciting. We, as community, can share your excitement, knowing our time is drawing near.

Anticipating their return is almost as exciting as being a kid at Christmas. Watching the dots appear on the PMCA's Scout Arrival Report is a wonderful experience for us purple martin fans.

James Strickland FL · Sun Nov 23, 2008 6:13 pm

I started today getting everything out and up. I'm waiting on my new Trendsetter 26. I hope that it will be here this week. Fun times!

James Strickland FL · Sat Nov 29, 2008 10:03 am

We are as little as 12 to 23 days from the first arrival of Purple Martins back in the USA. This means that large flocks of martins are on their way as I speak. I put up my New Trendsetter 26 house yesterday and it was not that hard to do. The 26 will take two people to complete the installation. The house is BIG but light. The steel pole weights alittle , but it can be managed by one person. The other person is need to help balance while you put it on the steel stack. I really like the house and how well it is built. Doing nest checks will be fast because you remove one panel and you see 4 rooms at a time. My hat is off to Trendsetters. Its about time someone built a great house with us in mind.

Guest · Sat Nov 29, 2008 11:11 am

James,I'll sure give you an "A" for effort and how you hold your enthusiasm for the return. I sure hope you get'em this year,you deserve to.

dick

James Strickland FL · Sat Nov 29, 2008 6:13 pm

Thanks Dick, I sure am trying! I love the beginning of the season. You never know what can happen. I think I will get a pair this year, because we had a great rainy season and we have lots of flying bugs. We had a drought for 3 yrs and I think that had a lot to do with the numbers.

CMF · Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:47 am

James, have you given any thought to christening that new house with some splashes of mud or imitation bird dung? We all know they love that "lived in" look. We love the Ritz, but they prefer the Motel 6. We all would like a look at that new Trendsetter in all its glory to get pumped up. Good luck in 2009 and I will be looking for your post with news of the arrival of this years martins. Is there any truth to the rumor the Olsens are making a dancing/exercise dvd for the PMCA shop?
CMF

James Strickland FL · Sun Nov 30, 2008 4:55 pm

No CFM I had not thought of that. We don't have mud because it is sandy soil but the dung I might try. I had heard the Olsons might be making a DVD of the dance. if they put on PMCA shopping I will buy it. I need to learn it so I can get martins here.

The Olsons · Sun Nov 30, 2008 6:11 pm

James,

I love your excitement and I am sooooo looking forward to your first report. Those martins are going to have it made at your place

Astrid

James Strickland FL · Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:19 pm

Olsons, it is friends like you that make me keep the dream going. Your support and all the others keeps my drive going. Thanks to everyone! I feel that I will get some martins this year and if it does not well I will try again and again.

The Olsons · Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:32 pm

James,

Thank you for your kind words and I love your spirit.....they will come

Astrid