Over the weekend I checked on the early evening staging area at Lake Yahola in Mohawk Park and the roost area around Archer & Denver, and there are many thousands of martins using both places. The martins gather at Lake Yahola in the late afternoon and early evening. They feed and drink over the lake, and the biggest concentration was across from the water treatment plant and on the wires southwest of the treatment plant up on a hill. As it got close to 8 PM they started heading to the roost in the northwest area of downtown. Most are roosting in trees in courtyards within the city/county jail facility on Denver. Others were going into trees in a parking lot a little east of the jail around Brady & Main, and more were in trees on the northwest corner of Archer & Denver. It is impossible to determine how many there are, but based on prior years, there are easily 50,000 or more. As it was almost dark, there were still hundreds of martin circling overhead trying to find a roosting place.
The reason I have not made many posts about the roost this year is that it has been a very troubling time. My good friend, Tom Martin, has been missing since late June, and the police believe he has been a victim of foul play, but there are very few leads in the case. Tom and I have been locating and watching local martin roosts for over twenty years. He has had the largest martin colony I know of in this area for nearly thirty years. He has been a very innovative landlord, and has taken wonderful care of his martins. The police have asked the local television stations to do another piece on their newscasts, and I saw stories last night and at noon today. Someone has to know something, and hopefully some additional information will be given to the police as a result.
I will keep checking on the roost periodically and posting information. The birds will probably be using the area for another few weeks, so if anyone wants to see them, it is a spectacular sight.
Once something definite is known about Tom, I will post that as well.
Large Numbers at Tulsa Roost and a Missing Friend
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Dick,
The news about Tom Martin is so sad and disturbing - we pray for a happy outcome but the information does not sound good. You have both been wonderful advocates for Purple Martins in the Tulsa area. Thinking of you both -
The news about Tom Martin is so sad and disturbing - we pray for a happy outcome but the information does not sound good. You have both been wonderful advocates for Purple Martins in the Tulsa area. Thinking of you both -
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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.
Dick,
That is very sad about Tom and I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this. I know that you must be having mixed feelings right now over the roosts and your missing friend.
Bob & I won't be able to make it this year, but if the roost moves back to a better viewing place next year, we're hoping to make another trip.
Thanks for the report and we are thinking of you guys too.
That is very sad about Tom and I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this. I know that you must be having mixed feelings right now over the roosts and your missing friend.
Bob & I won't be able to make it this year, but if the roost moves back to a better viewing place next year, we're hoping to make another trip.
Thanks for the report and we are thinking of you guys too.
"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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Dick Sherry
- Posts: 774
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 5:30 pm
- Location: Tulsa, OK
Louise and Kathy, thank you for your concern. The Audubon Society roost watch event is going to go ahead this Saturday evening. The details of where people will meet are still to be determined. The staff at the jail has been very cooperative, but we just don't have the OK yet to meet on their property. So I will post the information soon regarding that.
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stan davison
- Posts: 715
- Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:48 pm
- Location: Tulsa Oklahoma
Dick, This is very disturbing. I met Tom at the Double Tree roost a couple years ago. He is a very nice man. If you need anything let me know. I will keep Tom in my thoughts...
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Dick Sherry
- Posts: 774
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 5:30 pm
- Location: Tulsa, OK
Stan, thanks very much. There is going to be a roost watch event this Saturday, if you can make it.
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LarryL-MN
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 2:08 pm
- Location: Minnesota/Brainerd
- Martin Colony History: Built first house in 1972 and have had Martins ever since. Became an active landlord in 2002 after finding the PMCA web site.
Dick, I am so sorry to hear about Tom. I can not imagine how stressful this must be. My prayers are with you and for his safe return.
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Guest
Dick,
So sorry to hear about Tom.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article. ... lice667697
This doesn't sound good,,, For those of you that are not Okies, the above story is saying that Tom's electronic account device (Pikepass - that we each possess for use on our local toll roads) was taken from his car and last used in another car that passed thru a toll plaza located 20 miles south of Tulsa.
We are on our way downtown to visit the roost.
So sorry to hear about Tom.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article. ... lice667697
This doesn't sound good,,, For those of you that are not Okies, the above story is saying that Tom's electronic account device (Pikepass - that we each possess for use on our local toll roads) was taken from his car and last used in another car that passed thru a toll plaza located 20 miles south of Tulsa.
We are on our way downtown to visit the roost.
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Dick Sherry
- Posts: 774
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 5:30 pm
- Location: Tulsa, OK
Larry, thank you for your concern, and thanks to the Pratts for posting the news story. It is my understanding that the police believe the PikePass was in his vehicle at the time it went through the turnpike gates near Coweta. Tom's car had traces of blood in it, but someone had used great amounts of water to try and clean the car out. It appears he was harmed in the vehicle, and then someone cleaned the car and returned it to his residence. It is all very strange. The police need a big break in this case, and soon.
So very sorry about your friend...how awful awful
Recently close to usa an elderly couple with their motorhome and truck went missing and foul play suspected but nothing turned up yet.
There are some very troubled people out there who will do anything for money etc
take care
april
Recently close to usa an elderly couple with their motorhome and truck went missing and foul play suspected but nothing turned up yet.
There are some very troubled people out there who will do anything for money etc
take care
april
2007 none
2008 few landed
2009 - 2 pair - 9 eggs- 9 fledged
2010 - 1ASY pair and 4SY pair total 10 bird
2011 first ASY pair May 06
2012 first pair arrived May 01, May 21 total 10 pairs 49 babies
2013 May 04 martins 2 pair May 19 total 12 pair
2014 May 08 2 pair May 12 almost full 10 pair
2008 few landed
2009 - 2 pair - 9 eggs- 9 fledged
2010 - 1ASY pair and 4SY pair total 10 bird
2011 first ASY pair May 06
2012 first pair arrived May 01, May 21 total 10 pairs 49 babies
2013 May 04 martins 2 pair May 19 total 12 pair
2014 May 08 2 pair May 12 almost full 10 pair
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Dick Sherry
- Posts: 774
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 5:30 pm
- Location: Tulsa, OK
April, I hope the couple from your area turn up OK. It is a shame that there are some very bad people out there. We need to keep our guard up, and still enjoy a very beautiful world around us.