My martins are bringing green leaves to their nests now. (atleast 1 pair is) in the gourd side. I am thinking this is early but will have to check my records. This is good for me since I have a neighbor who is complaining about bird poop. I need eggs in a nest so they can't force me to close down my site.
Just checked my records and it said they started buildind nests on April 23rd last year. I just observed a bunch of them are gathering material for their nests- in the house too.
Martins bringing green leaves to nest north of KC Missouri
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John Miller
- Posts: 4863
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Hi Craig
I've been seeing nest building in St. Louis at some of the houses; other houses only just now getting martins and were full last year. But sure seems too early for green leaves. I think it's been so warm...they say 20 degrees above average... highs in the 80s... that nest building for the early martins is ahead of schedule. But...supposed to turn cooler...of course..for all of next week and maybe next two weeks. Hopefully not too cool..just normal.
John M
I've been seeing nest building in St. Louis at some of the houses; other houses only just now getting martins and were full last year. But sure seems too early for green leaves. I think it's been so warm...they say 20 degrees above average... highs in the 80s... that nest building for the early martins is ahead of schedule. But...supposed to turn cooler...of course..for all of next week and maybe next two weeks. Hopefully not too cool..just normal.
John M
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tonyg
- Posts: 1520
- Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
- Location: Olpe, KS
- Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..
Yeah Craig and John, nest building has started early here at my place also. I watched them this morning flying down into the garden spot where ive placed nesting material. Havent noticed so much as landing in the trees yet..I'm thinking these 70/80 degree temps have them confused..but like John said..cooler next several days..may slow things down..
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CraigMo.
- Posts: 1480
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:30 pm
- Location: Missouri/Lone Jack
- Martin Colony History: Active since 2003
Well hopefully I won't lose as many eggs this year. Last year I lost a few more eggs than normal and I am blaming that on cool wet weather. Like you both said, I hope this does not confuse the pms.
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CraigMo.
- Posts: 1480
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:30 pm
- Location: Missouri/Lone Jack
- Martin Colony History: Active since 2003
More of my pms are building nests now, so I hope the weather stays good so I have less eggs lost. I think I have more pms now. I won't have an accurate count till eggs are laid
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Jeff Robinson
- Posts: 908
- Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 3:32 pm
- Location: Rogersville, Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2008 - Current
72 Cavities - 70 Pairs in 2021
PM Mentor
They're bringing in additional nesting material here too Craig, and this morning, saw the first green leaves going in.
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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Jeff Robinson
- Posts: 908
- Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 3:32 pm
- Location: Rogersville, Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2008 - Current
72 Cavities - 70 Pairs in 2021
PM Mentor
I'm still at 2 pair plus a single ASY male, with as many as 9 PMs on and off now and then. The single male's been courting a girl all week, and she hung with him often yesterday and ALL day today (in and out of multiple Coates compartments, and 2 Natureline Gourds), then she took off agian right before dark, just as she's done every other evening - can't quite figure it out, especially the way she hung around even when I was riding the mower right below her....and I'm not sure in my 3 years as a landlord, I've seen a more dejected, head and shoulders slumped, PM as he was for the 45 minutes he sat there on the porch before he finally turned around and went in tonight. 
I'm not sure if those with larger colonies would spend as much time as I have noticing the actions of a single male. Fred & Wilma control 4 THGs, Barney and Betty control the entire Goliad, and the single male, BamBam (courting Pebbles....my wife loves naming them), controls the 4 Coates holes that I have open, and the two Natureline Gourds. Many an ASY male has tried to join my colony, but the 3 males have it locked up so far.
By the way, I too was a little dejected to see the girl leave this evening - my wife didn't want to hear it - said she was just going to imagine she was inside with him anyway????
Anyway, tomorrow's another day! SO much joy in watching these birds, especially when they all go BONKERS when a new girls hits town!
I'm not sure if those with larger colonies would spend as much time as I have noticing the actions of a single male. Fred & Wilma control 4 THGs, Barney and Betty control the entire Goliad, and the single male, BamBam (courting Pebbles....my wife loves naming them), controls the 4 Coates holes that I have open, and the two Natureline Gourds. Many an ASY male has tried to join my colony, but the 3 males have it locked up so far.By the way, I too was a little dejected to see the girl leave this evening - my wife didn't want to hear it - said she was just going to imagine she was inside with him anyway????
Anyway, tomorrow's another day! SO much joy in watching these birds, especially when they all go BONKERS when a new girls hits town!PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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Jeff Robinson
- Posts: 908
- Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 3:32 pm
- Location: Rogersville, Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2008 - Current
72 Cavities - 70 Pairs in 2021
PM Mentor
Yabadabadeeeeee....I now have three - that's 3 PAIR woo hooo! Finally Craig, after chasing her down and bringing her back 5 times tonight, she finally went in with him for the night (and stayed in) at 8:04pm. I've never seen an ASY try so hard, and the other 2 pairs were sure rooting him on!! All 3 males were churtling when she finally went in!
BTW, thanks for asking - this might be my breakout year. I always get lots of SYs trying to get the girls in, and we have our first SY report in Nixa today, just 20 miles away.
BTW, thanks for asking - this might be my breakout year. I always get lots of SYs trying to get the girls in, and we have our first SY report in Nixa today, just 20 miles away.
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
Jeff,
Congratulations!!! Isn't it funny that we can read their expressions?!? Very cool - I hope you have a very big, breakout season!
First SY in Nixa? Lookout - here come the teenage troublemakers! Can't wait to see your stats for the year!
Congratulations!!! Isn't it funny that we can read their expressions?!? Very cool - I hope you have a very big, breakout season!
First SY in Nixa? Lookout - here come the teenage troublemakers! Can't wait to see your stats for the year!
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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Jeff Robinson
- Posts: 908
- Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 3:32 pm
- Location: Rogersville, Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2008 - Current
72 Cavities - 70 Pairs in 2021
PM Mentor
Thanks Kathy - ironic how a "special" few birds can reduce a nearly 50 year old man to feeling and acting like a kid again! It was good to see your post about how you're spreading the Martineering in your area. I wouldn't mind at all doing the same thing here, especially after I get a little more experience under my belt, and I plan to do lots of that this year!
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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Bob Rogers
- Posts: 226
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 6:48 pm
- Location: Arnold, Missouri
Craig,
Nest building has been strong at my site (Arnold, MO.) for several weeks now. Several PM's here too, are starting with the green leaves as well, but not in real earnest yet. SY's started showing up today and what a noisy bunch! Sorry about your neighbor and the poop! Seems like we try to build a nice colony and *&%# happens! I wish I had an acre on each side of my house so the PM's could &8^% and not bother a neighbor. I've quit enlarging my colony to keep the peace. Colony is almost full at this point (48 cavities), reather early this year. My daughter's colony should start getting my extra PM's any day now. Good Luck!
Nest building has been strong at my site (Arnold, MO.) for several weeks now. Several PM's here too, are starting with the green leaves as well, but not in real earnest yet. SY's started showing up today and what a noisy bunch! Sorry about your neighbor and the poop! Seems like we try to build a nice colony and *&%# happens! I wish I had an acre on each side of my house so the PM's could &8^% and not bother a neighbor. I've quit enlarging my colony to keep the peace. Colony is almost full at this point (48 cavities), reather early this year. My daughter's colony should start getting my extra PM's any day now. Good Luck!
Bob R.
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CraigMo.
- Posts: 1480
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:30 pm
- Location: Missouri/Lone Jack
- Martin Colony History: Active since 2003
Bob I checked yesterday and am glad to find no eggs, I think a little early. Now this rain should slow egg laying a little bit longer. I have not seen a sy yet. Will keep my eyes open now since you are south of me.
Good luck
Good luck
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Jeff Robinson
- Posts: 908
- Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 3:32 pm
- Location: Rogersville, Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2008 - Current
72 Cavities - 70 Pairs in 2021
PM Mentor
Craig,
We have 3 completed nests, all with green leaves in them. Like you said, next few days of expeced rain should slow down things a little; however, my PM numbers are all of a sudden really stepping it up. I came home to a madhouse this evening, and that's after I left for work this morning thinking I'd come back to very little activity since I had a Cooper's Hawk attack on my colony @ 7:55 this morning. He came up empty clawed, and was just sitting on top of the feeder station as all my birds were skyrocking high up in the sky!
We have 3 completed nests, all with green leaves in them. Like you said, next few days of expeced rain should slow down things a little; however, my PM numbers are all of a sudden really stepping it up. I came home to a madhouse this evening, and that's after I left for work this morning thinking I'd come back to very little activity since I had a Cooper's Hawk attack on my colony @ 7:55 this morning. He came up empty clawed, and was just sitting on top of the feeder station as all my birds were skyrocking high up in the sky!
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony