This afternoon I had three martins actually land on the gourds! 1 ASY and two females (one may have been an SY). They spent a few minutes on the gourds and perches, sniffed around and poked halfway in. They flew off but returned within minutes. They repeated this about 5 times. The last time just a lone SY or the female came back. Two of them seemed to almost fight over one gourd once- the ASY and one of the others.
I shot some video of the even and will post later.
Had Three Landing on the gourd!
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
Way to go David! Sounds like you may be on your way. At the very least It's a start, and very exciting!
Tony
2007 --- 0 2011---0 2015---4
2008 --- 0 2012---0 16-19—0
2009 --- 0 2013---1 2020—?
2010 --- 0 2014---3
2007 --- 0 2011---0 2015---4
2008 --- 0 2012---0 16-19—0
2009 --- 0 2013---1 2020—?
2010 --- 0 2014---3
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
well it looks like an ASY and a female keep coming back to the gourds and checking each one out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they come back for the night . We're keeping an eye out. At about 6:15 pm the pair flew off. They may have went back to their actual home or didn't like something about my sight. There's still about 30 minutes of daylight left so we'll keep looking out.
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X4w7w20rAI
This is the video of the pair that seemed to hang out the most. They kept coming back till about 6:15pm. They flew off before sunset. Hoping they return.
Excuse the bad quality, but it's a phone video.
This is the video of the pair that seemed to hang out the most. They kept coming back till about 6:15pm. They flew off before sunset. Hoping they return.
Excuse the bad quality, but it's a phone video.
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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.
David,
This is just what you are looking for. They are interested all right!
Doug
This is just what you are looking for. They are interested all right!
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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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
It was exciting! My wife and kids think I'm nuts. I've been parked by the back windows all afternoon!
Well, I'm thinking the pair will not stay the night, haven't returned yet. But this is a good sign I suppose. Thanks...
Well, I'm thinking the pair will not stay the night, haven't returned yet. But this is a good sign I suppose. Thanks...
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
oh-- and today, I thought I'd experiment by taking the decoys off, but still play daytime chatter... within 30 minutes I had them landing!
Coincidence? I have no idea, but in the past I only had them approach to land but get startled at the last moment.
Coincidence? I have no idea, but in the past I only had them approach to land but get startled at the last moment.
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Joe Zorn
Well, Tony, I think you are a certified Purple Martin addict.
Many years ago an old veteran PM landlord told me how to tell if you were certifiably (is that a word?) a true PM addict.
She said that you have to go to a toy store and buy a bag of marbles. You know, the kind kids play with in the yard.
Put your marbles in a special bag that you can carry around all the time. Maybe something like a Crown Royal bag. You know the kind I mean? It has a draw string.
Then, each time you discover a new idea that you just have to check out, about your PM site, and actually act on the idea, take one of the marbles out of the bag. Just toss it away. You won't need it anymore for the rest of the test.
Each time you see a piece of equipment that you just have to have and either buy or build it, remove one of your marbles.
Anytime you get excited, and run to the wife and beg her to "Come See!", remove one of your marbles.
Whenever you find that you are thinking of your PM site when you should be doing something else....you know the drill....cast aside a marble.
When some one in the family wants you to take part in an activity or see something, but you have to do something on your colony first......another marble.
Keep up this kind of action with your marble bag.
When the time comes that YOU'VE LOST ALL YOUR MARBLES, you are a certified Purple Martin Landlord.
I know that you're excited, so I thought I give ya a little humor to add to your great day!
Many years ago an old veteran PM landlord told me how to tell if you were certifiably (is that a word?) a true PM addict.
She said that you have to go to a toy store and buy a bag of marbles. You know, the kind kids play with in the yard.
Put your marbles in a special bag that you can carry around all the time. Maybe something like a Crown Royal bag. You know the kind I mean? It has a draw string.
Then, each time you discover a new idea that you just have to check out, about your PM site, and actually act on the idea, take one of the marbles out of the bag. Just toss it away. You won't need it anymore for the rest of the test.
Each time you see a piece of equipment that you just have to have and either buy or build it, remove one of your marbles.
Anytime you get excited, and run to the wife and beg her to "Come See!", remove one of your marbles.
Whenever you find that you are thinking of your PM site when you should be doing something else....you know the drill....cast aside a marble.
When some one in the family wants you to take part in an activity or see something, but you have to do something on your colony first......another marble.
Keep up this kind of action with your marble bag.
When the time comes that YOU'VE LOST ALL YOUR MARBLES, you are a certified Purple Martin Landlord.
I know that you're excited, so I thought I give ya a little humor to add to your great day!
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
I don't know why but they seem to be absent from this particular neighborhood. But I keep my eyes out anyway-- and a loaded air rifle 
I see starlings every now and then. during the late winter I snuffed 4 starlings that seemed to stick around, now I rarely see any.
I see starlings every now and then. during the late winter I snuffed 4 starlings that seemed to stick around, now I rarely see any.
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3792
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
It took several days before my PM's started spending the night my first year. If you have a male and a female and they start entering a gourd and spending most of the days around your place I would say you are set.
2026 HOSP 29
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
Yeah-- I sure hope that's how it pans out. I'm so excited about the things that happened today, I know I won't be able to sleep. I had no idea I'd get this excited over birdsflyin-lowe wrote:It took several days before my PM's started spending the night my first year. If you have a male and a female and they start entering a gourd and spending most of the days around your place I would say you are set.
my wife and kids are ribbin' me over how serious I am over these martins. I just love them, they remind me of when I was a kid I guess.
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
I just wonder where they are at night... if they have a place to stay now, why is these guys and gals hanging out checking out my site? Especially that one pair.flyin-lowe wrote:It took several days before my PM's started spending the night my first year. If you have a male and a female and they start entering a gourd and spending most of the days around your place I would say you are set.
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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
David,
What Flyin-Lowe said - I experienced the same thing she did. Be watching for them first thing again tomorrow morning. Keep your fingers crossed that one of the females selects your site. They're off sleeping somewhere "they" feel safe tonight.
Good luck.
Jeff
What Flyin-Lowe said - I experienced the same thing she did. Be watching for them first thing again tomorrow morning. Keep your fingers crossed that one of the females selects your site. They're off sleeping somewhere "they" feel safe tonight.
Good luck.
Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
I hear ya... but why do you think they are looking for another place if they are sleeping in a house or gourd somewhere else? One of the birds was definitely an ASY. I figured I wouldn't see any ASYs this year as newcomers. Maybe they are not happy with where they are for now. Who knows! I'm just glad I had a few landing today and spending time on the perches.Jeff Robinson wrote:David,
What Flyin-Lowe said - I experienced the same thing she did. Be watching for them first thing again tomorrow morning. Keep your fingers crossed that one of the females selects your site. They're off sleeping somewhere "they" feel safe tonight.
Good luck.
Jeff
I wish I could load up the other three or four videos, but they are just too big. In the other vids there was much more action. I had three or four birds on the gourds and they were really interested in checking out the insides of the gourds. I'll try to resize them later and get them posted.
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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
David, I'm not the pro on this issue, but here's an older thread that gives some insight into where they possibly go.
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 2c3cfd6859
I'd bet they're simply perched someplace closeby (trees, other perch where they feel safe, roost site, etc), and probably Not in another house.
You're suffering the same stomach churning anxiousness that many of us understand all too-well! Soon, you'll be offering assistance to others on this forum - keep the faith!
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 2c3cfd6859
I'd bet they're simply perched someplace closeby (trees, other perch where they feel safe, roost site, etc), and probably Not in another house.
You're suffering the same stomach churning anxiousness that many of us understand all too-well! Soon, you'll be offering assistance to others on this forum - keep the faith!
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
interesting thread Jeff- thanks. I hadn't really thought about them spending the night at a roost or tree but it does make sense.
tomorrow will be an interesting day. I'll be looking for that pair again. There were a total of 4 that hung out today, I hope to see more action tomorrow.
I've learned so much about martins this year. People around work and the neighborhood are already asking me for advice. It's funny because I don't have my first pair yet! :-)
tomorrow will be an interesting day. I'll be looking for that pair again. There were a total of 4 that hung out today, I hope to see more action tomorrow.
I've learned so much about martins this year. People around work and the neighborhood are already asking me for advice. It's funny because I don't have my first pair yet! :-)