Well today was suppose to be a day of storms. So this morning before I went to work I lowered the gourd rack. I didn't want high winds messing with the rack when fully up in the air.
Guess I should have left it up. No storms. They spit up and went South and North of me. My wife said 3 Martins came by around 9:30 -10:00 AM this morning. I guess they hung out for awhile. They were sitting on the perching arms. Then they left.
I got home around 6:00 PM, had Supper and watched a little TV. Got to be around 8:30 PM and I decided that I was going to put the rack back up for the evening. It would also be up for the morning hours, just in case the 3 martins would come back.
On the way to the rack, I guess I was 3/4 of the way there and I heard that familiar sound. Looked up and here comes 3 martins gliding down towards the rack. I cranked that winch as fast as I could. I wanted to have it up for them. I had it up 90% of the way and they circled me 2 times and then flew off. I would think that they were coming to roost for the night. But since they didn't know me they flew off.
You don't believe they may still are thinking of laying eggs and etc........ I would think its to late for that in this area. I would believe that they may be passer byes on there way South for there winter home. Does any one have any thoughts on this matter?
It was nice to see a martin again if it was one for a minute or 2. Hope I didn't scare them off for good.
Steve
Can this really be..........
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Stephen Thomas
- Posts: 359
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2003 8:24 am
- Location: LeRoy/IL
Steve Thomas (LeRoy,Il) trying since 2003, visitors 2006 & 2007 had 1 visitor.
2009 had 6 visitors, 3ASY & 3females(1 male serious)
2010 1ASY male & 1ASYfemale, May 9, 2010 I became a landlord
2011 They came back. Got cold .they left. Never came back. starting over.
2012 1 came by. 2013 (0)
2009 had 6 visitors, 3ASY & 3females(1 male serious)
2010 1ASY male & 1ASYfemale, May 9, 2010 I became a landlord
2011 They came back. Got cold .they left. Never came back. starting over.
2012 1 came by. 2013 (0)
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Guest
Steve:
I would say that it is getting late, but last year I had a pair renest later than this successfully. The male's mate perished while incubating eggs. We removed her (it was sad) and distributed her eggs to like-aged nests. The male found another mate and they raised a brood. The orphan eggs did fine - 3 of 4 fledged!
I'd also offer the following experience I've had: When strong storms approach I have also lowered my system to about half way up (that's 8 to 9 feet) to minimize wind loads. It's my experience that the martins really don't care much about the height at all, so I wouldn't rush to raise it just because they're returning. I try not to disturb them after about 7pm, and not in the morning. If you don't have committed occupants, I'd try not to disturb them after somewhat earlier in the evening (maybe 6:30). I try to walk around and do things in the yard so that they get used to my presence.
-Steve
I would say that it is getting late, but last year I had a pair renest later than this successfully. The male's mate perished while incubating eggs. We removed her (it was sad) and distributed her eggs to like-aged nests. The male found another mate and they raised a brood. The orphan eggs did fine - 3 of 4 fledged!
I'd also offer the following experience I've had: When strong storms approach I have also lowered my system to about half way up (that's 8 to 9 feet) to minimize wind loads. It's my experience that the martins really don't care much about the height at all, so I wouldn't rush to raise it just because they're returning. I try not to disturb them after about 7pm, and not in the morning. If you don't have committed occupants, I'd try not to disturb them after somewhat earlier in the evening (maybe 6:30). I try to walk around and do things in the yard so that they get used to my presence.
-Steve
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ToyinPA
- Posts: 2227
- Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
- Location: PA/Avis
- Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.
Steve:
It's too early for them to be heading south, so I doubt that is the case.
I lower my houses allot when storms are due. There's a good chance they snuck in after you left. I've had them come in after dark many times. Once I lower a house, never lower than 6-8 feet, if I can't get it back up an hour before dark I let it alone until morning. They will not mind the house being lower.
SY's are still showing up in central PA, so it's possible you have some SY's looking for housing. I wouldn't throw in the towel yet.
Toy in PA
It's too early for them to be heading south, so I doubt that is the case.
I lower my houses allot when storms are due. There's a good chance they snuck in after you left. I've had them come in after dark many times. Once I lower a house, never lower than 6-8 feet, if I can't get it back up an hour before dark I let it alone until morning. They will not mind the house being lower.
SY's are still showing up in central PA, so it's possible you have some SY's looking for housing. I wouldn't throw in the towel yet.
Toy in PA
Stephen Thomas wrote:Well today was suppose to be a day of storms. So this morning before I went to work I lowered the gourd rack. I didn't want high winds messing with the rack when fully up in the air.
Guess I should have left it up. No storms. They spit up and went South and North of me. My wife said 3 Martins came by around 9:30 -10:00 AM this morning. I guess they hung out for awhile. They were sitting on the perching arms. Then they left.
I got home around 6:00 PM, had Supper and watched a little TV. Got to be around 8:30 PM and I decided that I was going to put the rack back up for the evening. It would also be up for the morning hours, just in case the 3 martins would come back.
On the way to the rack, I guess I was 3/4 of the way there and I heard that familiar sound. Looked up and here comes 3 martins gliding down towards the rack. I cranked that winch as fast as I could. I wanted to have it up for them. I had it up 90% of the way and they circled me 2 times and then flew off. I would think that they were coming to roost for the night. But since they didn't know me they flew off.
You don't believe they may still are thinking of laying eggs and etc........ I would think its to late for that in this area. I would believe that they may be passer byes on there way South for there winter home. Does any one have any thoughts on this matter?
It was nice to see a martin again if it was one for a minute or 2. Hope I didn't scare them off for good.
Steve
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Mary Dawnsong
- Posts: 1685
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 8:17 pm
- Location: Michigan, Livingston County
Hi Steve,
Here in southeastern Michigan I've had pairs commence egg-laying as late as July 6. Our cool spring caused egg-laying to start about 10 days later than normal for most of my colony this season. So I think it is possible that your visitors are getting a late start.
Good luck, Mary
Here in southeastern Michigan I've had pairs commence egg-laying as late as July 6. Our cool spring caused egg-laying to start about 10 days later than normal for most of my colony this season. So I think it is possible that your visitors are getting a late start.
Good luck, Mary
Click here to see my colony
"In Michigan every martin matters"
"In Michigan every martin matters"
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Stephen Thomas
- Posts: 359
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2003 8:24 am
- Location: LeRoy/IL
Thanks for the replies.
Steve (cmiSteve) These 3 birds came came from your direction. Did you loose any?
Mary and toyin, I am hoping they are late nesting and looking for a place! I sat out side this morning from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM and didn't see any activity. If the ones I saw last night were the same ones my wife saw around 9:30 or 10:00 AM in the morning yesterday, then maybe they will still show up today around the same time.
Looked at the radar and there is a huge storm heading this way. So the rack came down again.
I will keep you posted if I will be a land lord this year or not. It was nice to have my first pair last year. I also have had several visitors. So they know I am here with a big welcome sign.
Steve
Steve (cmiSteve) These 3 birds came came from your direction. Did you loose any?
Mary and toyin, I am hoping they are late nesting and looking for a place! I sat out side this morning from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM and didn't see any activity. If the ones I saw last night were the same ones my wife saw around 9:30 or 10:00 AM in the morning yesterday, then maybe they will still show up today around the same time.
Looked at the radar and there is a huge storm heading this way. So the rack came down again.
I will keep you posted if I will be a land lord this year or not. It was nice to have my first pair last year. I also have had several visitors. So they know I am here with a big welcome sign.
Steve
Steve Thomas (LeRoy,Il) trying since 2003, visitors 2006 & 2007 had 1 visitor.
2009 had 6 visitors, 3ASY & 3females(1 male serious)
2010 1ASY male & 1ASYfemale, May 9, 2010 I became a landlord
2011 They came back. Got cold .they left. Never came back. starting over.
2012 1 came by. 2013 (0)
2009 had 6 visitors, 3ASY & 3females(1 male serious)
2010 1ASY male & 1ASYfemale, May 9, 2010 I became a landlord
2011 They came back. Got cold .they left. Never came back. starting over.
2012 1 came by. 2013 (0)