I finally found time to take a look ahead and report what you may expect as we finish out February.
Expect warm temperatures and continued strong migration this week and look for cooler temps and precipitation to close out the month early next week.
Highlights will include some wind early this week and ideal conditions for long range migration along the east coast later this week. Could Virginia see their first scouts so soon? Good bet.
All deep southern areas will continue to see new arrivals in good numbers
There is a line I will refer to as the "Martin Dixon" line. This line runs across the middle of the country at the top of OK, AR, TN, and NC. This is actual a fairly strong weather divide and will continue to be so. Above it is not quite ready for our purple friends as temps are a good bit cooler as you approach this line. However a lot of back filling will occur especially later this week up to this line.
Looks to me like the first Martin May cross this line later this week or early next and conditions will be most favorable along the east coast.
A quick look at migration conditions each day.
Today - light into Texas - away in other areas
Tues - Texas good - neutral other
Weds - Good strong day for migration. TX, OK, TN and east coast.
Thurs -East coast very strong - Virginia? Light crosswind into TX
Friday- Good but cooler. Longer trips are completed
Sat - Not good Cool temps - Chilly across Martin Dixon line
Sunday - Rebound -Warmer
Monday - Strong push from south wet, warmer north east coast good.
Tues - Wet Cooler but some movement
Weds - East coast still good.
That about sums it up for Feb.
A look ahead to February month end.
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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 can't tell you how much I enjoy your posts. I was just thinking I hadn't seen anything from you lately and there you were.
I wonder if looking back at your predictions this years so far just how close you were to the TN sighting?
I can't tell you how much I enjoy your posts. I was just thinking I hadn't seen anything from you lately and there you were.
I wonder if looking back at your predictions this years so far just how close you were to the TN sighting?
D'Nese in Tennessee
2009-new house up, many visitors no one stayed
2010-3 pairs, 14 eggs, 9 babies 9 fledged
2011 20 pairs, 106 eggs, 79 fledged
2012 37 pair, 120 fledged
2013 37 pair, 173 fledged
2009-new house up, many visitors no one stayed
2010-3 pairs, 14 eggs, 9 babies 9 fledged
2011 20 pairs, 106 eggs, 79 fledged
2012 37 pair, 120 fledged
2013 37 pair, 173 fledged
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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.
D'Nese,
Many purple dots coming to your state beginning midweek. Should be a big week and just the beginning for you there for new arrivals.
I am glad you and others appreciate the posts. Remember.. they will still show up regardless.
Thanks for your kind words, you folks in Tennesse are great people!
Doug
Many purple dots coming to your state beginning midweek. Should be a big week and just the beginning for you there for new arrivals.
I am glad you and others appreciate the posts. Remember.. they will still show up regardless.
Thanks for your kind words, you folks in Tennesse are great people!
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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Mike Coupe
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2003 10:11 pm
- Location: Tennessee/Hornbeak
- Martin Colony History: Started in 2001 with one Chuck Abare style 16 gourds rack. The past several years I have three of these gourd racks now. 48 gourds total. Maybe six plastic and the rest natural. Mixture of vertical, horizontal, single and double gourds. Tunnels on most and all sreh holes. Predator guards(bird netting) on each pole. Also have a S&S repeating trap in area. Shotgun and pellet gun help too. Usually all gourds occupied.
I'm on the edge of the martin dixon line in nw Tn. enjoyed your post. This time of year I browse the forum. I don't post much. They gave me internet here in the powerhouse at work 
I've been at the factory almost everyday since Sept and have been busy. They closed in july but another company bought the plant. Will be making rubber in april I hope. I use to work 2 days on 2 off and that worked perfect for landlording. We're a skeleton crew now and at least I have a job and see more jobs coming down the road. Thanks to my wife and kids on helping out at home. They keep me posted. My wife never knew anything about purple martins till she met me. The past 3 years she's seen the 1st scouts and sure rubs it in. Well I'm ramblin on. Nice meeting you.
I've been at the factory almost everyday since Sept and have been busy. They closed in july but another company bought the plant. Will be making rubber in april I hope. I use to work 2 days on 2 off and that worked perfect for landlording. We're a skeleton crew now and at least I have a job and see more jobs coming down the road. Thanks to my wife and kids on helping out at home. They keep me posted. My wife never knew anything about purple martins till she met me. The past 3 years she's seen the 1st scouts and sure rubs it in. Well I'm ramblin on. Nice meeting you.Welcome Mike,
And don't worry about rambling on.....we ALL do that here sometimes. I think we are the only ones who actually get us!!! Hope you have a great season and let us know when the wife see's the first scout!! LOL
And don't worry about rambling on.....we ALL do that here sometimes. I think we are the only ones who actually get us!!! Hope you have a great season and let us know when the wife see's the first scout!! LOL
D'Nese in Tennessee
2009-new house up, many visitors no one stayed
2010-3 pairs, 14 eggs, 9 babies 9 fledged
2011 20 pairs, 106 eggs, 79 fledged
2012 37 pair, 120 fledged
2013 37 pair, 173 fledged
2009-new house up, many visitors no one stayed
2010-3 pairs, 14 eggs, 9 babies 9 fledged
2011 20 pairs, 106 eggs, 79 fledged
2012 37 pair, 120 fledged
2013 37 pair, 173 fledged
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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.
Mike,
I call it being on 'Martin patrol" at my house. My wife does a pretty good job of being on duty too..
I think she has gotten tired of the question each day.. each spring. "Any Martins today?
Doug
I call it being on 'Martin patrol" at my house. My wife does a pretty good job of being on duty too..
I think she has gotten tired of the question each day.. each spring. "Any Martins today?
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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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.
There's that darn squirrel again. 
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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DornCounty
- Posts: 2169
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
- Location: Rural SE Kansas
- Martin Colony History: .
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Trio-Jedi
Hey Doug,
Just for fun, based on your weather pattern knowledge, guess when the first KS sighting will be.
Just for fun, based on your weather pattern knowledge, guess when the first KS sighting will be.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
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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.
I will try to take a look at this.
Not quite just guesses. I actually have to spend some time looking at different forecasts and maps to get a likelyhood.
It is supposed to get cooler and wetter. The northern movement will slow for a bit.
Could be sooner than later at the rate this is progressing. A cold spell really puts the brakes on.
Doug
Not quite just guesses. I actually have to spend some time looking at different forecasts and maps to get a likelyhood.
It is supposed to get cooler and wetter. The northern movement will slow for a bit.
Could be sooner than later at the rate this is progressing. A cold spell really puts the brakes on.
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.