Not ready to declare for sure but it sure does look like I have a new start.
I moved away and left my colony of 225 pairs and was concerned I might not be able to get any at my new place which is much less desirable from a location standpoint. But, I have three or four hanging around including a pair of asy birds. It looks like a prayer is being answered
Thurman, there never was any doubt in my mind that you would get some martins this year, especially with the current tree removal project. Have fun with them.
Glad to hear you are getting your martins back. You sent me some seeds years ago of which I shared with a couple of friends and we all have nice big gourds most every year. All the gourds (17) that I have up are from the original stock seeds from you.Thanks again. Good luck, Paul
Thanks Ed, Emil, and Paul. The tree removal was costly, but I very much wanted martins and my site was very questionable before. In fact, had it been someone else asking me I think I would have discouraged them from trying it. I had taken two trees out myself and I have had pros come in for four more. There are still some tree problems to each side but I now have two good flyways instead of one fair flyway which should make a big difference. All the experience in the world will not overcome sorry location. Oh, and I am glad the gourds have worked out well for you.
2004...notta
2005-2008 lookies
2009...lookies, and a SYM hanging around a bunch
2010...an ASY pair! 5 eggs, 5 babies fledged! yehawwwwwwwwww
2011....still only one nesting pair..extreme heat killed the babies
2012..ASY pair...fledged 4 babies!
2013 notta, few lookie lous
Another rainy Tennessee day, and "my" pair are sitting outside and singing like they are happy. What does it mean when they start taking nesting material inside like they did yesterday? How about green leaves? Yep...they didn't waste any time. Actually. I have known for a few days now that they were committed, but held back in saying for sure until I had no doubt they were here to stay.
AND.. The old belief that only sy birds start new colonies just took another hit. This pair is asy. In watching how they react when I whistle for them, I want to believe they are from my old colony, but maybe not. In a good location asy first pairs are a definite option. In fact it is great news when asy birds start visiting a new colony. They stay with you, while sy first pairs may get your hopes up, then move on to a nearby colony.
Congrats my friend.....You deserve them, and they you. I assume you have plenty of time to get more subbies? You must remember, starting a new colony is the most fun of all. Enjoy!
Bob Buskas, Alberta, Canada (The Northern Sky's Colony) Supplimental feeding is the key during bad weather, but you must train them to feed ahead of time.
Thurman, congrats on getting birds at your new location.
By the way, both years I had 1 pair, they were ASY birds. The little ASY last year was amazing and tried so hard bringing one lady friend after another until he was successful.
Martin Colony History: I moved to South Florida, from Delaware, in August of 2015.
I care for a 6 condo Sunset House as well as two Deluxe Gourd Racks, with 24 Chirpynest/Excluder gourds, along a canal in Pompano Beach, Florida.
At Quiet Waters Park, nearby in Deerfield Beach, I care for a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 TVG's. I also care for a Deluxe Gourd rack with 12 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder entrances. I am substituting 6 Chirpynest boxes for 6 of the Conley II entranced gourds in 2026.
At another local park, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, I care for a Trendsetter 12, 5 gourds rack with 60 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder Entrances and 1 Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 Troyer Vertical Gourds with Starling Stoppers over the Conley II's to keep out smaller starlings.
Thurman, congratulations!! I have been wondering if you have had serious visitors and hoping for you to get some. It is tough to start over, because there are no guarantees.
