In checking the weather maps for the upcoming week I'm seeing another "WOW".
Migration will once again be in full swing as we get into the coming weekend. The further west you are the earlier it will begin.
Saturday and Sunday should see another big wave of Martins heading north all the way into Canada this time.
Upper winds will be right out of the south just like our last episode. This time pushing even further north.
I am thinking perhaps my friend and colony founder may be hitching a ride on this train north. If not perhaps it will be the next one.
At the local lake this morning there were 50+ tree swallows skimming the water in 37 degree temps. They will be heading north to their homes in Canada after holding up here during the brief cold snap and frontal passage.
Doug
Another BIG wave for the weekend.
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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.
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.
Doug, I am just curious -- do the prevailing south winds bring the martins in sooner than what they usually come in? Mine have come in between the 18th and 21st of April. I haven't put anything up yet, but from your post, I wonder if I should be moving a bit more quickly.
Sue P
Sue P
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eyeamtheman
- Posts: 633
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 3:21 pm
- Location: Quitman, La
- Martin Colony History: Super colony
Sue.....as far as I know....NONE of us work at the Weather Channel, nor do we know if, or how many martins could be migrating north at one time. We DO know, however, past arrival dates for most areas based on banding information over the years and that I believe is what the scout report map is based on. And in your situation, if you had returns last year when you state, you might start getting prepared....especially if you're having decent weather. JMO.....good luck!
Johnny
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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.
Sue,
Based on the reports from the south many birds have arrived in groups down there and will likely head north with this next weather system.
When they get these great migrating opportunies like this they take advantage of it. So it is feasible that rather than slowly working their way north they will do it in larger groups and much quicker.
I don't have an answer for you other than to get ready by this weekend as it has already been a somewhat different migration so far. Sure would seem to me you would see your first scout this weekend.
I say yes move more quickly... should be a nice weekend for plenty more to come north. Plus as your birds age their arrival will be sooner.
South winds ahead of fronts are used by all types of birds for migration north. These are nice strong ones we are getting with these weather systems. They will help move things along, just as cold north winds slow migration down.
Doug
Based on the reports from the south many birds have arrived in groups down there and will likely head north with this next weather system.
When they get these great migrating opportunies like this they take advantage of it. So it is feasible that rather than slowly working their way north they will do it in larger groups and much quicker.
I don't have an answer for you other than to get ready by this weekend as it has already been a somewhat different migration so far. Sure would seem to me you would see your first scout this weekend.
I say yes move more quickly... should be a nice weekend for plenty more to come north. Plus as your birds age their arrival will be sooner.
South winds ahead of fronts are used by all types of birds for migration north. These are nice strong ones we are getting with these weather systems. They will help move things along, just as cold north winds slow migration down.
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.
Doug, had 7 martins arrive on Monday, and today we have over 20. There is definitely something to this "Wave thing". Been doing this for many years and have not seen these type of group arrivals before. The extended cold spell must have had many new arrivals waiting in the wings. Pardon the pun!. Terry in central Ohio
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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.
From what I heard there are others claiming they had Martins for 30 years and never saw them arrive in such a group at one time.
Very Interesting.... Waiting in the wings indeed.
Very Interesting.... Waiting in the wings indeed.
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.
With all of the reports about martins arriving, I'll definitely get my martin housing up and operable today. I have a sinus infection, but my birds are very important 
The earliest they have arrived before is the 15th of April. I sure hope we don't get another cold snap that sets the martins back. I've been feeding my bluebirds meal worms, and they love it!!
Sue P
The earliest they have arrived before is the 15th of April. I sure hope we don't get another cold snap that sets the martins back. I've been feeding my bluebirds meal worms, and they love it!!Sue P
Well, Doug, I took your advice and got all of my martin housing up and ready to go, in spite of my sinus infection. It took most of the morning, then I came in for lunch. I looked out the window and guess what!!!
THE FIRST MARTIN OF THE YEAR11 He must have been waiting for me to get stuff up. This is nine days earlier than I have ever seen martins here. But I am sure happy to see him.
Maybe he's not my martin, but if he isn't he will probably be Bly Blystone's or Chris Haines up in Waynesburg, Pa.
Sue P
THE FIRST MARTIN OF THE YEAR11 He must have been waiting for me to get stuff up. This is nine days earlier than I have ever seen martins here. But I am sure happy to see him.
Maybe he's not my martin, but if he isn't he will probably be Bly Blystone's or Chris Haines up in Waynesburg, Pa.
Sue P
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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.
Good job Sue!
I knew they'd be earlier.
More are arriving in PA today too.
I knew they'd be earlier.
More are arriving in PA today too.
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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Glen Webb Jr
- Posts: 478
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 1:03 pm
- Location: Illinois/Stewardson
I went from 1 on Friday to 4 on Saturday and then approximately 12-15 on Sunday. Today there are almost 40. Man oh man, they must really ride those strong south winds. I figured I'd have nearly all my surviving birds back before midweek next week. Subbies will start showing up here in about two-three weeks too. Such an exciting time!