They're BAAAACCCCKKKKKK - WhoooooooooHOOOOOOOOO !!!!

[Shari G]

And what to my wondering eyes should appear?
I had a visitor this morning!!!
I enjoyed some wonderful PM music and a small airshow for about 5 minutes before I had to leave and go to the gym.
I think it was an ASY Female.
Can't swear to that.
It never landed on my housing but was really enjoying itself flying around.
I made sure I welcomed it back!
I was beginning to worry that I hadn't seen any birds yet....just this morning.
What a nice surprise!!!
WHOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOO !!!!!

[bk]

I know just how you feel.

bill

Rowlett Tx

[Sparky]

Cool, isn't that neat! Congrats! I usually always get most of them on Valentines Day! What a present.

[Sharon - Central TX]

Shari,
Mine finally came back today! How excited I was to see them as I was getting worried too. THEN a hawk showed up . Fortunately my husband had just gone outside with our little dogs and was able to shoo it away. I went outside when I saw what was going on and I could hear the martins but not see them. They were either in a tree or inside the gourds. They are probably terrified to come out now.
Those hawks are shady. I haven't seen one around at all but apparently he was just waiting for their arrival.
Sharon

[Guest]

Shari and Sharon,
Congratulations to both of you. Looks like TX is getting very active now as mine came back today as well. Good luck this season.
Judy

[geezer]

I know the feeling....mine showed up 2 days ago...1 male and 2 females.

The 2 females are fighting over the male. Let's hope another male shows up soon.

However, if a starling lands on the housing....the 3 of them band together to fight him off. Then they return to fighting among themselves.

geezer (anna, tx)

[Sharon - Central TX]

Geezer,
Don't you just love it when the martins band together and drive starlings (or HS) off? I have heard this is the behavior of martins at an established colony. It is so neat to see them defending their home. I'm not so sure about the infighting though ;-).
Everyone have fun with your returning birds. This is just the start of another great season. Let's continue to pray for rain and enough bugs!
Sharon

[Guest]

That's fantastic! Congratulations!

I haven't seen or heard any martins in the Lewisville area yet (north of Dallas). I don't have a colony yet so I'm thinking it might take more time for me. There is a neighbor who has a large colony and I've been watching, but I haven't seen any at his house either.

[Sharon - Central TX]

Jennifer,
If you have a large colony near you that is good. When the sub adults return you might get some of the overflow.
Tell us about your setup. Maybe someone on here can help you if there is something you might need to change or tell you if everything is perfect! Do you have a mentor? I found during my first couple of years (and even now going on six) that the help of someone knowledgeable was needed and I really have appreciated it.
Sharon

[Guest]

Jennifer,
If you have a large colony near you that is good. When the sub adults return you might get some of the overflow.
Tell us about your setup. Maybe someone on here can help you if there is something you might need to change or tell you if everything is perfect! Do you have a mentor? I found during my first couple of years (and even now going on six) that the help of someone knowledgeable was needed and I really have appreciated it.
Sharon

Thanks Sharon. I have a CUENT Deluxe gourd rack. I play the dawn song and have a decoy.

Last year I had a subbie male ("Freckles") that stayed with me for 21 days before he left. He tried really hard to find a mate but none of the girls stayed. After that I had several visitors at a time for about a month. Last year was the most activity I had seen at my site. I'm hoping this year will be my year.

I'm hoping once my neighbor has his colony return (3 houses and 12 gourds) I should be seeing martins in my area. From what I understand, the subbies return after the adults. Is that correct?

I don't have a mentor but I have received a lot of helpful advice and encouragement from the people on this forum.

[Sharon - Central TX]

Jennifer,
It sounds like you're doing everything right. We have a cuent pole too with horizontal gourds and the martins love them.
Yes, the subbies come later, usually starting in March. With all the interest you had last year and the one Subbie that stayed so long, I will bet you get several birds this year. Maybe even sooner than March if your neighbor doesn't have enough room for his returning birds. It took us 4 years to really start a good colony. Last year all of our housing (24 gourds) was full before the sub adults returned. It almost made us want to put up more housing but the ones we have now are enough for my husband and I to handle. If you really take care of your birds, it is time consuming but oh so worth it!!!!
Good luck Jennifer.
Sharon

[jtafaro]

I saw the first pm on 3-12. Right on time! A few always come the second week of Feb. This year I have three or four so far. There will be a dozen or so more in the next few weeks. The first month or more they all fly off and feed during the day then return in the evening. When they start building nests they will stay around more. When you see them bringing leaves into the boxes you know they have laid eggs. When the pm's arrive my roses usually bud out and the azaleas bloom. How do they know when it's time to return and how do they know the way home?
Ain't nature amazing