Scout arrivals?

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Laverne
Posts: 2216
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
Location: TX/Alvin
Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.

I know it sounds premature -- but, I have followed the Scout Reports since the beginning of time (according to the PMCA) -- okay, that would be 1998.

Anyway, today is December 20 and in the 2009 Scout Report the first returning bird was reported on December 21, 2008!! It was reported by Marsha in Punta Gorda, Florida. 2010 Scout Report's first bird showed up on December 23, 2009 at Sue and Jerry's in Naples, Florida. :shock:

Heads up!! Could be any day now!! 8)

Watching and waiting for your report. My sincere gratitude to everybody involved in the Scout Arrival Study Program. It seems like the Purple Martins just left -- it's nice to know they are already on their way back!! :wink:

Sincerely,
Laverne
Sincerely,
Laverne
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James Strickland FL
Posts: 2249
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:04 pm
Location: Reidsville NC
Martin Colony History: 2017 Had a lot visitors no Matins nesting, hoping 2018 will be different.
2018 Had 1 pair
2019 had 30 pair

Winds are coming from the right direction. It could be tomorrow.
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marshainpuntagorda
Posts: 177
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2004 7:58 pm
Location: Punta Gorda/Florida

My gourds are going up tomorrow...now have winched pole and 24 super gourds
Think Purple!
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Emil Pampell-Tx
Posts: 6743
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas

You people in Florida made me nervous, so I started putting up our gourds about 2 or 3 weeks before I normally put them up....smile

Good luck, and tomorrow may be the day for you! They may love that gourd rack and those gourds..
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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marshainpuntagorda
Posts: 177
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2004 7:58 pm
Location: Punta Gorda/Florida

The gourds were hung by the new pole with care; the pine straw fluffed for the jolly old purple elf; the pole winched to the right height and now we wait with insect breath for our Purple Martin Scout, and to all a Good Night; (please bear with the puns)...I am excited about the 12 more SG's we have now...Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and however you celebrate this time of year
Think Purple!
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Dave Reynolds
Posts: 2444
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged

Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged

Merry Christmas to Every One --

While we wait for this years arrivals and that first few purple dots to show up on the map.. I was just wondering about something.. Does not any one have a friend or someone who lives along the migration route in Mexico, to send a note, that the bulk of Martin's migrating has just passed over head?

It seems like it would get us all fired up if we could see or hear that a large group of Martin's just left to attemp the flight across the Gulf. Maybe I just can't wait for the first purple dot to show up, As it is now we just sit and wait to see them pop up out of the dark.

Would it not be great to see some of the geo-locaters placed on some of the Martins "Ping" once in a while to lets us know where he or she is on his way back to the States?

Just a wild thought. Merry Christmas to all and a wonderful Holiday..

Dave -- In Little Hocking, Ohio
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
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Guest

I sent an e mail to a birder group in Brazil and Central America 3 years ago with just that in mind.I never even got an answer to the e mail,they probably were a defunct organization.I never tried again.

dick
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John Miller
Posts: 4867
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO

Dave

John Barrow of Corpus Christi has written in past seasons about hundreds of martins making landfall along the Texas coast. You can go to the search buttom and search key words Barrow and maybe "gulf" and find it.
John M

Here's one

http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... t+arrivals
Last edited by John Miller on Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:39 am, edited 1 time in total.
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mayhaw10
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:40 am
Location: Georgia/ Quitman

Hello Marshainpuntagorta, Mine are going up today. Already got my
pine straw in them. I think it will be a little later here in Quitman. Georgia.
Wondered what would be a good hight for Gourds. some where around
fifteen feet?
Mayhaw10
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marshainpuntagorda
Posts: 177
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2004 7:58 pm
Location: Punta Gorda/Florida

The height sounds about right...I wouldn't go much higher...good luck with your Martins this year!
Think Purple!
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Emil Pampell-Tx
Posts: 6743
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas

I agree with Marsha, thats a good height.

There are a few factors to consider. The higher the pole, the more likely it may blow over in a storm. It can be as low as 10 or 12 ft if you have your housing in a wide open area with no trees anywhere near the housing. If you have tall trees nearby, then its better to have the housing higher for some hawk protection..If you put the pole real high, make sure you have a strong pole, and lightweight housing.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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mayhaw10
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:40 am
Location: Georgia/ Quitman

Thanks a lot Gang, Lots of good info for us that are just Starting.
It's up at 17 Feet with Pine Straw level with the bottom of the hole.
Now Hope for a good Year!!
Mayhaw10
:wink:
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eyeamtheman
Posts: 633
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 3:21 pm
Location: Quitman, La
Martin Colony History: Super colony

INSECT BREATH?????? (gags)
Johnny
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mayhaw10
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:40 am
Location: Georgia/ Quitman

Hello Johnny, Didn't know there was a Quitman, La.
We live in Quitman Ga. Still trying to get some Martins this Year.
Wally
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eyeamtheman
Posts: 633
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 3:21 pm
Location: Quitman, La
Martin Colony History: Super colony

Hey Wally. Yeah I noticed that too. Good luck getting birds this year. Any questions just ask!!
Johnny
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M.Stephens
Posts: 1130
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:14 pm
Location: Texas/Texarkana

Hey guys there's a Quitman ,Tx. also that's in east Texas.
It's the birthplace of actress Sissy Spacek.
Malcolm
2015 (110 nesting pair)
2014 (92 nesting pair)
2013 (75 nesting pair)
2012 (35 nesting pair)
2011 (20 pair)
____________
PMCA Member
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mayhaw10
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:40 am
Location: Georgia/ Quitman

Hello Malcom, Best place to live is Quitman!! I did not know there was a Quitman TX, But do now. I sure hope I can get some Martins this year.
We haven't had any for about four years here. Got plenty of room, got
two houses up with 16 holes and just put up a new pole Rack with 8 Gourds hanging on them full of Pine straw. I keep watching the sky.
Mayhaw10
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Dave Duit
Posts: 2146
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
Location: Iowa / Nevada
Martin Colony History: In 2026, 88 pair with 333 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.

Those Texas and Florida people really get me excited. Once I hear from them my heart starts pounding with anticipation and I even break out in a cold sweat wondering if I will have everything prepared in time for my first martins to arrive. It is almost like getting another Christmas present.
ImageMite control, heat venting, predator protection and additional feeding during bad weather add up to success.
ImageIPMO LOGO1.jpg
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mayhaw10
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:40 am
Location: Georgia/ Quitman

HELLO DAVE DUIT, Today was 74 degrees after about 1:30 pm
and a little cool after the sun goes down. Hopeing to see some Martins
here shortly. We have had Martins here in South Ga. about the first of
January, Don't know about this year. Looks like an early spring.
Happy New Year.
mayhaw10
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Laverne
Posts: 2216
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
Location: TX/Alvin
Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.

I saw some today! Yep, I am so-o-o excited!! I don't understand why they are here. I fear it is way too early for Purple Martins to be in Texas. But - - - perhaps they know more than we do - - - maybe there won't be any winter this year. Maybe there will be and they will just move back down into Mexico to escape the cold.

I don't know... Somebody said something about geo-locators pinging to let us know where they are. I think that is an excellent idea!

Happy New Year!!

Sincerely,
Laverne
Sincerely,
Laverne
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