I guess I need to start stuffing gourds. It's still too cold here - 27 deg. tonight.
MO Scout report shows martin only 30 mins. from me
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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.
The report submitted by Joe Weirich is for Summersville - that's only 30 mins. from me. This martin is certainly an 'early bird' and is about 16 days earlier than last year.
I guess I need to start stuffing gourds. It's still too cold here - 27 deg. tonight.
I guess I need to start stuffing gourds. It's still too cold here - 27 deg. tonight.
"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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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Kathy,
It's looking like an early arrival year. Even your weather forecast there will probably support arriving Martins. (Not by much however)
Don't be surprised if you get one of the early birds.
Have a great spring Kathy. Get ready!
Doug
It's looking like an early arrival year. Even your weather forecast there will probably support arriving Martins. (Not by much however)
Don't be surprised if you get one of the early birds.
Have a great spring Kathy. Get ready!
Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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Keith
- Posts: 435
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:45 pm
- Location: Missouri/Ava
- Martin Colony History: 85 pair in 2020. Seems fairly consistent the last few years.
Hello Kathy,
These early returns caught my attention too. I should not expect Martins at my place here in Ava until at least two weeks after your first report so I will watch for your first sighting. I'm always anxious but realize that too early may not be best for our Purple friends due to our weather here. Hope you have the best Martin year ever.
Keith
These early returns caught my attention too. I should not expect Martins at my place here in Ava until at least two weeks after your first report so I will watch for your first sighting. I'm always anxious but realize that too early may not be best for our Purple friends due to our weather here. Hope you have the best Martin year ever.
Keith
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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
Wow, one of those reports is 3 weeks ahead of last year. Scary!
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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James Johnson
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 5:30 am
- Location: Arkansas/Western Grove
Kathy, They appear to be running 7-10 days ahead of last season but in some cases less than that. This season they have consistently followed the Mississippi Delta county N through AR. I'm located almost directly S of Branson, MO. I think we should have arrivals sometime this week. Keep your eyes and ears toward the skies. 
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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..
Being from your neighboring state was surprised to read your post. Been watching Okla reports to and seems alot of their martins are showing up 2 weeks early also. Gives me cause for concern as our weather patterns for Ks has been up and down, a couple warm days, followed by a weeks worth of cold ones..My martins arrived March 31st last year and I truly hope its around the same time this year.. ( Go Jayhawks, sorry had to thro that in)...
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Jeremy Shuler
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:51 pm
- Location: Missouri,Trenton
Looks like I need to hurry up and get my other pole built and finish my modifications.
Jeremy Shuler
2009-housing up late 1 SY male for a month
2010-2 ASY pairs- fledged 9
2011- 5 ASY pairs building nests and 2 SY pairs several SY males
2009-housing up late 1 SY male for a month
2010-2 ASY pairs- fledged 9
2011- 5 ASY pairs building nests and 2 SY pairs several SY males
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James Johnson
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 5:30 am
- Location: Arkansas/Western Grove
I notice there was a reported sighting by "unknown" today in Harrison approx. 30 miles south of Branson. None here today.
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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
You're in the slot James! Good luck!
As long as the current weather patterns hold, I'll remain anxious. But that could turn quickly to anxiety should mother nature not cooperate.
Jeff
As long as the current weather patterns hold, I'll remain anxious. But that could turn quickly to anxiety should mother nature not cooperate.
Jeff
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.
I stopped by to see the reported martins in Summersville, MO yesterday. It was cloudy, windy & 34 deg. - a very cold, dreary day. When I drove in, the landlord's racks were at half mast and I saw a female poking her head out of one gourd and a beautiful adult male poking his head out of another.
Knocked, but the owner wasn't home.
Jeff, I see there's a report in Springfield now, too.
Today, the temps will rise to 50 and the sun will come out!!! Yippee!
Time to go stuff some more gourds!
Knocked, but the owner wasn't home.
Jeff, I see there's a report in Springfield now, too.
Today, the temps will rise to 50 and the sun will come out!!! Yippee!
Time to go stuff some more gourds!
"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
Yes Kathy, I just noticed the Springfield report this morning. They must have posted late, for that particular day?
I have my new Trendsetter up, and just enough holes open here and there to keep the Bluebirds busy checking things out. Have already eliminated 2 smaller female starlings trying to get into the THG Conley 2s - one of them almost got in before I walked outside and scared her off, only to take her out on her next attempt. Today, pulling everything down and powerwashing everything out and placing new nesting. Being sick for a few weeks and this nasty weather has me a bit behind schedule - normally I have everything ready by the 1st of March. Busy, busy, and VERY anxious!!
I checked our extended forcast via Accuweather - looks like once we get past this week's rollercoaster ride, we'll settle into average temps, good for martin feeding.
Jeff
I have my new Trendsetter up, and just enough holes open here and there to keep the Bluebirds busy checking things out. Have already eliminated 2 smaller female starlings trying to get into the THG Conley 2s - one of them almost got in before I walked outside and scared her off, only to take her out on her next attempt. Today, pulling everything down and powerwashing everything out and placing new nesting. Being sick for a few weeks and this nasty weather has me a bit behind schedule - normally I have everything ready by the 1st of March. Busy, busy, and VERY anxious!!
I checked our extended forcast via Accuweather - looks like once we get past this week's rollercoaster ride, we'll settle into average temps, good for martin feeding.
Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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Keith
- Posts: 435
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:45 pm
- Location: Missouri/Ava
- Martin Colony History: 85 pair in 2020. Seems fairly consistent the last few years.
I'm going ahead and raising my housing about two weeks earlier than usual because of the earlier reports. Everything I have is SREH so will just have to discourage the BB from choosing the PM housing until they return. Getting anxious I guess. The trees in this one picture are much further from the houses than it looks.
Keith
Keith
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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
Beautiful setup and home Keith. I zoomed the picture and noticed...great job with the predator controls. Best of luck to you and maybe an early start if the weather holds after the rain passes.
Is that all 3/4 inch netting or mix of 3/4 and 1/2? Did you get it there in Ava, or around Springfield?
Jeff
Is that all 3/4 inch netting or mix of 3/4 and 1/2? Did you get it there in Ava, or around Springfield?
Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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Keith
- Posts: 435
- Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:45 pm
- Location: Missouri/Ava
- Martin Colony History: 85 pair in 2020. Seems fairly consistent the last few years.
Jeff,
I have had my experience (bad) with predators in the past so I'm trying to protect best I can. I did learn from this forum about netting and it worked to ensnare a snake just last season. I purchased this 1/2 inch netting at a feed and farm supply store in West Plains which this netting is sold to protect fruit trees from birds etc. I can think of farm supply stores in Ozark or Springfield that likely would have this type netting.
Keith
I have had my experience (bad) with predators in the past so I'm trying to protect best I can. I did learn from this forum about netting and it worked to ensnare a snake just last season. I purchased this 1/2 inch netting at a feed and farm supply store in West Plains which this netting is sold to protect fruit trees from birds etc. I can think of farm supply stores in Ozark or Springfield that likely would have this type netting.
Keith
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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 Keith....looking forward to the stretch of good weather after tomorrow! Yell when you get your first!
Jeff
Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony