Big push of ASY birds central Iowa

[hoopsnut]

I had at least 15 newbies today....lots of noise and squabbles. It was nice to see at last. I've been sitting on 20-25 birds now for a week.

Any other news from Iowa?

[Wendell Hansen-IA]

That is good news. I have been sitting on about 22-25 birds now for over a week now. my first one showed up on the 7th. Last year I had about 50-60 at this time. One of my new landlords ( 3 years now ) called tonight to say that the PM's just showed up today at his site, didn't know if he should cry or go out and get drunk. The PM's are 11 days late at his site and were 3 days early at mine. I still have 5 more landlords to check in. Wait tell I tell them we still have a big wave comeing. Maybe by the first of may we will all have PM's and we can get drunk and cry at the same time

To tell the truth Iam kind of glade in away that it is slow this year. I had a landlord last year' that I couldn't get her 26 gourd site up in time for the SY's and I just got done at 5 pm tonight digging the hole and setting the ground stake for a 12 super gourd pole for a bran new up and comeing landlord.

If things work out maybe' just maybe , there will be 9 of us instead of 7. Going out and gittin drunk and crying at the same time.

[lynnh]

We noticed about a 20 to 25 bird increase last nite as they came in as well.Lots of fighting and confusion went on all but 1 got in.Going out now to see if she is still on porch.

[DakotaLady]

Wendell,
I know I'm not from Iowa. However, your post made me chuckle. I began making wine several years ago and if I even get ONE pair I will sit on my deck with a bottle of wine and toast you.

On a more serious note, what a wonderful thing you are doing to help other landlords get started. I wish I knew people around here that got together and kept in contact about their martins.

I have a friend who is the president of the Conifer Society for Iowa that I will be visiting this summer. I will have to put a bug in his ear that he should add a couple martin houses. Especially since there seem to be so many around he may have a great chance of getting martins.

Good luck to you and your martin posse.

[Dick Sherry]

Wendell, just remember: "You never find the bluebird of happiness with too many swallows"! Guess it depends on what kind of swallows!

Have a great seaon.

[hoopsnut]

More birds today, probably another 10-15. Things are looking better. They are adjusting well to the new owl guards.

I have had to rescue several from wing entrapment.

[JamesinIA]

I just had the first martin of the season visiting my new gourd rack this afternoon. ASY male went into a TVG for a while then flew around my site a few times then headed off in the direction of a large colony to the northeast. Hopefully more will come and set up camp here soon.

James

[lynnh]

Hey James congrats on your first visitor of the season.We are at 19 pair and 3 extra females.Also nesting seems to be in full swing and the 2 year olds are not even here yet.

[Wendell Hansen-IA]

The last two days have been outstanding. Little over 60 now. Two more landlords have checked in, 4 out of nine. I can see a bad hangover comeing on.

I would like to post more but got to get back to my notes. Giving a lecture on, Purple Martins-Nature"s Natural Insect Controllers. Put on by the Dickinson County Conservation Board for Earth Day at Gull point State park here in the Iowa Great Lakes area.

And late this afternoon the mud should be set enough to put the new 12 super gourd pole up .