All gourds up and martins are pouring into southern Missouri

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KathyF
Posts: 3522
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
Location: Missouri/Licking
Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.

Normally, this time of year I only have 10-12 martins, so I only have up half my gourds (24) plus my Trendsetter house. Yesterday, I counted 24 martins, but noticed a lot coming in last night at sunset. This morning, I noticed that there was a lot of fighting going on and when I started counting, I realized that my colony grew last night. :shock:

Soooo, out came the rest of my gourds and once all 48 went back up, and everyone was coming back, I was able to count 38 martins! Woo!! My colony doubled overnight!! :shock: 8)

Tree swallows have claimed all their boxes and the one the bluebirds have built in. Nothing I can do - the bluebirds need to cowboy up and take their box back if they want it! :-(

One BB box has either a tufted titmouse nest or a chickadee nest. There is moss and fine rabbit fur in the nest. Somewhere, there's a bald rabbit running around. :lol: :lol:
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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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.

Ain't it great, Kathy?!! I'm so glad you're enjoying the beginnings of a great season.

Now, tell me, how do they get that rabbit fur? Perplexing... :???:
Sincerely,
Laverne
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TheCav-MO
Posts: 64
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:56 pm
Location: Missouri/Macon

Send some of those birds up my way Kathy. We only have 3 so far. Our birds didn't get here until april 2 last year so we're still early yet. Congrats on your new arrivals.
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Jeff Robinson
Posts: 908
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 3:32 pm
Location: Rogersville, Missouri
Martin Colony History: 2008 - Current
72 Cavities - 70 Pairs in 2021
PM Mentor

Crazy-warm Spring?!! Similar martin activity here Kathy, where I also doubled up between Sunday evening and yesterday. I took a vacation day yesterday to get some "home & garden" work done, and watched the madness....figuring I have somewhere between 16 - 18 pairs already, and a few single males causing a ruckus! I opened up the 11 remaining holes that I couldn't see after taking out a pesky rat bird "pair" in one shot - woohoo, saved on lead!!

BBs should be laying eggs anyday!
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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John Miller
Posts: 4863
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO

I opened all the remaining housing in Forest Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden ...saw a few martins at all sites...they sure are happy with this weather. Most years in the park they would be huddled in the cold at the most favored house and then spread out when it warms and more come, but this year are dispersed at all the sites. Probably have 20 in the park....out of 60 pairs last year, that's still just the first wave.
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KathyF
Posts: 3522
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
Location: Missouri/Licking
Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.

Jeff, I couldn't believe how many arrived at once. I think more came in yesterday too. I had to triple-check the calendar. And in checking my notes from last year, I have double the martins that I had this same time last year. :shock:

Congrats on the 'twofer'! :lol: :lol:

I had 3 HOSP in my trap for 5 days up til Sunday. I lock up the trip lever every night so mice can't get in. Mon. morning I went to remove the lock and I saw 5 HOSP in the cage! LOL - they must have gotten in the day before and I didn't notice. I don't see any for days, then they just show up!

Keep us posted on the incoming!
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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TheCav-MO
Posts: 64
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:56 pm
Location: Missouri/Macon

Kathy had I known I only had to ask.... After I wrote the last reply I went outside an hour later and had martins swarming my site. Seems like about 9 have stayed.
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KathyF
Posts: 3522
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
Location: Missouri/Licking
Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.

Cav,
I got a call from a new landlord in Rolla on Saturday and he and several of his friends had not seen ONE martin yet. He called back yesterday and said he had 4 and his friends were seeing them too. 8)

Somewhere a gate opened on Sunday, I guess.

Yes, you only need to ask! :lol: I find that just about the time I'm getting really, really concerned - BAM - there they are!

About 40 - 50 here today, southerly winds and 80 deg. Guess, that helps. :grin:
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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DornCounty
Posts: 2169
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
Location: Rural SE Kansas
Martin Colony History: .
.
Trio-Jedi

KathyF wrote:Cav,
I got a call from a new landlord in Rolla on Saturday and he and several of his friends had not seen ONE martin yet. He called back yesterday and said he had 4 and his friends were seeing them too. 8)

Somewhere a gate opened on Sunday, I guess.

Yes, you only need to ask! :lol: I find that just about the time I'm getting really, really concerned - BAM - there they are!

About 40 - 50 here today, southerly winds and 80 deg. Guess, that helps. :grin:
Same way over here in Kansas Kathy. It's like they all said.. ok it's time to go.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
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Jeff Robinson
Posts: 908
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 3:32 pm
Location: Rogersville, Missouri
Martin Colony History: 2008 - Current
72 Cavities - 70 Pairs in 2021
PM Mentor

I've noticed a much-increased level of HOSP activity this year at my place, so I bought the Blaine's Repeating Sparrow Trap this past Sunday to keep up with them while I'm at work during the week. Hope I'm doing this right, so I placed the trap on the ground below the racks with pieces of bread and popcorn on the bait shelf (don't have any millet), and sparrow nesting material (from removed nests) and more popcorn in the caged trap box area. They're safe from the .22 today, so we'll see if I caught any by this evening.

I'm fairly positive I had several 1st year martin returns yesterday (subbies last year). Last year was my first year with the Trendsetter 18, and all but one pair were subbies, and they were literally jumping in those holes as they came in yesterday. I improved the Trendsetter crescents with the PMCA Wing Guards and they're likely already paying off considering some of the fights I witnessed yesterday.

Best to all those still waiting!

Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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Craig Haddox
Posts: 444
Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:13 pm
Location: Missouri Washington

They are slow getting here in Washington in Franklin Co. I've seen a couple around since March 23rd. They were slow last year also but I still ended up with 40 pairs my best year yet.
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KathyF
Posts: 3522
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
Location: Missouri/Licking
Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.

Just to let you know - I hope everyone has up all their housing right now, because I now have 26 pair...plus. Last year at this same point, I only had 10 pair. :shock:

House is already full and the gourds are filling up fast!

This is the point in the season where I have to sit on my hands and have my husband hide my credit card, and keep the post hole digger unhooked from the tractor!!! :lol: (ssshhhhh, little does he know that I have the card number memorized!!!!!) :lol: :lol: :lol: ......AND I know how to hook up the digger to the tractor now! (ssshhhhhhhh) :grin:
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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DornCounty
Posts: 2169
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
Location: Rural SE Kansas
Martin Colony History: .
.
Trio-Jedi

that's great kathy.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
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Jeff Robinson
Posts: 908
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 3:32 pm
Location: Rogersville, Missouri
Martin Colony History: 2008 - Current
72 Cavities - 70 Pairs in 2021
PM Mentor

KathyF wrote:This is the point in the season where I have to sit on my hands and have my husband hide my credit card, and keep the post hole digger unhooked from the tractor!!! :lol: (ssshhhhh, little does he know that I have the card number memorized!!!!!) :lol: :lol: :lol: ......AND I know how to hook up the digger to the tractor now! (ssshhhhhhhh) :grin:
:lol: :lol: You're a hoot Kathy, and it sounds like your hubby is supportive of your efforts regardless! I "just" got the green light to get two Deluxe Gourd Rack systems or the Gemini .....hmmmm...decisions, decisions!! :shock:

Bluebirds started laying eggs on the 26th!! :grin:

Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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KathyF
Posts: 3522
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
Location: Missouri/Licking
Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.

WOW - Jeff!!! Congratulations! YAHOOO!!!! One day when I'm headed to Springfield I'm going to have to stop by & see your site. How many cavities will you have with your new system?

:mrgreen:
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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Leverett Doehring/Mo
Posts: 95
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2004 12:04 pm
Location: Villa Ridge, Mo
Martin Colony History: 1st birds 1990. 1 12 room metal house, colony started.
current 2 tr14s, 1 tr18, and 56 gourds, usually average @ 70 pair. 102 rooms available.
above mounted on 4 structures..

Good to hear your birds are moving in. My first bird broke my arrival record by 1 day this year. She showed up the 11th. I am up to @ 25 to 30 birds now and about 1/2 the housing open, kinda hard to count the way there are moving around. Also they have to learn to negotiate wire cages this year, really tired of seeing hawks taking old and young birds off the porches even with all the wire and columns I had on the boxes, now all I have to do is train them to stay on the porch.
Good luck and have a great year. Lev
itsjustLEV
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Jeff Robinson
Posts: 908
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 3:32 pm
Location: Rogersville, Missouri
Martin Colony History: 2008 - Current
72 Cavities - 70 Pairs in 2021
PM Mentor

Stop over anytime Kathy! I'm at 48 cavities right now, so I would grow to 72 available. I'm still not sure whether I'll install the new system(s) this season though...even though I had encouragement just yesterday to dig the hole(s) this Sunday on my only day off!! :shock: :grin:

Lev,
Sounds like you're off to a great year!

Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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