Florida Arrivals have Stopped

[James Strickland FL]

We have had south to southwest winds for 2 days and the martins have just about stopped. This has me concerned if I will see any Martins this year. I know that Fl has been in decline for years, but to see this big of a drop off this early in not normal.

[DornCounty]

be patient. What is the normal time they stop?

[Michael Sanford ~ OK]

Lack of new scout reports does not mean the migration has ended, James. The migration, even in Florida, is in high gear. Keep your head up.

[James Strickland FL]

Oh by all means I am patient and I know things are far from over, this is just a funny year. I am always looking to the sky. I just can't wait to see one in the air.

[Dave Reynolds]

James -- Hang in there a little longer.. My brother lives in Winter Haven and just call me yesterday and said he now has six Martins hanging around his PM houses.. He said that his PM's were about a week late this year. Good Luck

Dave -- in Little Hocking, Ohio

[cary-nw-fla]

I've read the "fla has been in decline for years" on some other post. I was just wondering if there have been any studies to support this??? I have had some olders (and I'm no spring chicken myself) make the comment that they haven't seen any martins in a certain (small) city, or area in years. If so, causes?? lack of interested people to be landlords? preditors? Just wondering (since I live in Fla) ???

[Carlton]

Cary,

I tend to think it is urbanization. South FL,with the exception of The Everglades and some large, well used parks, is pretty paved over. Also, the homes are on such tiny lots with strict homeowners associations. There are quite a few trees in the areas that do have green space.

I am having pretty good luck here in my winter home in Pompano Beach, FL as our condo association has extensive grounds, lakes and canals. The Board was very interested in assisting me in putting up a couple houses. I know that my case is probably the exception down here though.

When I am working with or observing my martins I find that very few people actually know what they are. Once they find out about martins they seem very interested but most are clueless as to what that aluminum thing is on the top of that pole. We have A LOT of Canadians down here in the winter and they seem especially interested in the martins and martin houses.

Carl

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

I think that the surrounding terrain and the openness of the land is the key. For instance, we had no trouble attracting martins because we are surrounded by old fields and new homes with large lots, retention ponds, and not many tall trees. Of course, people plant many trees, so the subdivisions will eventually be full of trees.

There is an older subdivision in Katy where I had martins (about 15 miles N of here), I and some neighbors had martins. That subdivision is now so full of trees, that nobody in that subdivision has any martins. They took down all the old martin houses. This is what happens in a city, all the available space is either covered with buildings, concrete, or trees. So where can the martins go?. If your lot has no trees, its like a hole, with no open flyways, and nowhere for the martins to feed, so they don't stay there. That may be happening like it did at my old home in Katy to many crowded areas.

Another thing, the small individual farms, many had martin poles, they are mostly gone. There are a few very large farmers left, they farm about 10 times as much land as the farmers did 75 years ago. So even in the farming community, there are a whole lot fewer martins. And there are many large open ranches around, but most are not occupied by humans, they are open range land that gets mowed on a regular basis, so there are no martin houses there either.

[James Strickland FL]

Carlton you were very luck to get martins your first year down here. I had Martins my first year in 04 but when I moved in 06 and returned in 07 I started over. I did get martins that first year back, but a Sy male killed the young and I have not had martins nesting since. I am hoping this year.

Emil I think you are right about down here. Their is a lot of people and their are a lot of trees. HOA have stopped a lot of people from putting up houses for martins. Thank God I do not live in one of them areas. I do have trees next door on both sides but they are far from me. With me living on a canal I have a lot open flyways in 3 directions. I just hope I can get things started again. If I can not, I will move to a better place when I retire in a few years. I WILL HAVE MARTINS IN MY LIVE BEFORE I LEAVE THIS EARTH!

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

James, I like your attitude about martins, hang in there, you should be able to attract some if they ever come to your area!

[James Strickland FL]

Thanks Emil, I just enjoy these birds. I just took out 2 starlings this morning. They entered the KILLING ZONE!

[Laverne]

Hello James.

I went back in the Scout Report records for Florida. This is what I found.

2008 - 173
2009 - 168
2010 - 158
2011 - 178
2012 - 147 (incomplete)

What I see is there is a limited number of landlords reporting every year. I wonder how many landlords are there in Florida, but not reporting. With 2011 reporting the highest number of returning scouts in the past five years - I don't see a decline. But then again, I think you need more participation.

Keep trying James. We're all pulling for you to host a beautiful colony again some day. Good luck to you.

Sincerely,
Laverne

[James Strickland FL]

Laverne, thanks, I am not sure why last year they showed more. I think that more are becoming apart of PMCA. If you look at my area is really few reports. Most are on the West coast and the central part. I know that we are still early in the season and my hopes are still high.

[James Strickland FL]

Still have not seen or heard any martins. I am not sure that I will see them this year do to the low numbers that have shown to date. I just keep hoping.

[D'Nese]

Hang in there James!!!!