Last year my first arrival was a lone male around April 1st. He hung around several days before bringing home a mate. Within a week or so there were 7 pairs in my house and gourds.
This year (my second season) there was a female scout on Feb 19th and until yesterday I had seen no more birds. One male arrived yesterday and flew about the area for 10 minutes then left. Today I saw 3 males checking out the housing and they eventually left also.
I added a new pole plus 14 gourds this year making a total of 30 compartments. I have been excited and ready for some time hoping for early birds. Looks like my wish may have been granted. I am located in South Central Oklahoma so it won't be long before points North will start seeing more birds.
Happy days are here again!!!!!!
Jim
Early Birds
My 1st bird (adult male) came 3 weeks earlier than last year. The day after, I had 4 males, the next day only 2. It stayed that way for 5 days until yesterday I got 2 females, to make two pair.
Although they came earlier this year, I am not having the gradual, daily growth that I've had in the past. They have all entered the new SREH housing, so I don't think that has been an issue with growth.
I'm hoping for a couple nice days in a row to bring em in. Saturday and Sunday look great here in Eastern NC
Although they came earlier this year, I am not having the gradual, daily growth that I've had in the past. They have all entered the new SREH housing, so I don't think that has been an issue with growth.
I'm hoping for a couple nice days in a row to bring em in. Saturday and Sunday look great here in Eastern NC
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Don~VA
- Posts: 391
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:01 am
- Location: Virginia/King George
- Martin Colony History: Had a colony many years ago which dwindled over a couple of years and then did not return. Kept trying each year for almost 20 years and finally had a small success in 2011 with two pairs nesting. Colony has grown slowly each year with 22 pairs in 2015. In 2016 my gourd rack of 18 gourds filled up so I added 4 more gourds and then put up a small rack of 6 gourds. All of those were claimed within a few days so I believe I have at least 25 pairs this year.
Hello Jim,
Don't remember seeing your handle (bigfootoki) before. So, I'll say Welcome to the Forum! And, congratulations for your success last year and your early visitors this year. Do I understand correctly, that last year was you first season trying to attract PM's? If so, that is wonderful and I'll be asking you to share you secrets/tips with me.
Best of Luck for a Great Season and keep us posted please.
Don't remember seeing your handle (bigfootoki) before. So, I'll say Welcome to the Forum! And, congratulations for your success last year and your early visitors this year. Do I understand correctly, that last year was you first season trying to attract PM's? If so, that is wonderful and I'll be asking you to share you secrets/tips with me.
Best of Luck for a Great Season and keep us posted please.Don~Northern Neck of Virginia-PMCA Member
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bigfootokie
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 2:45 pm
- Location: Oklahoma/Purcell
Thanks for the welcome Don.
No secrets to my success my first year. My only tip would be to follow the advice of the many veterans on this forum as I did when planning the location of PM housing.
No secrets to my success my first year. My only tip would be to follow the advice of the many veterans on this forum as I did when planning the location of PM housing.