This year was my first time to put up a martin house. After reading from many sources my hopes of getting any martins was not very high. To my surprise around the middle of March they started to show up. By the end of the month I had so many I went out and got another house. On the advise of my friend Tom, I have made many of the compartments double size. I now have around 6 nesting pairs. One nest with 7 eggs, one with 5 eggs 2 nests completed and ready for eggs and about 3 nests under construction.
I can't believe the enjoyment my wife and I have gotten from watching these wonderful birds.
I am sure I will have many questions as the season progresses.
First time luck
WOW! congrats on your first year success! many people have to wait for years to attract martins (like me, LOL) you are very fortunate, and i believe Texas is a Martin rich environment. way to go, and keep up the good work!
2004...notta
2005-2008 lookies
2009...lookies, and a SYM hanging around a bunch
2010...an ASY pair! 5 eggs, 5 babies fledged! yehawwwwwwwwww
2011....still only one nesting pair..extreme heat killed the babies
2012..ASY pair...fledged 4 babies!
2013 notta, few lookie lous
2005-2008 lookies
2009...lookies, and a SYM hanging around a bunch
2010...an ASY pair! 5 eggs, 5 babies fledged! yehawwwwwwwwww
2011....still only one nesting pair..extreme heat killed the babies
2012..ASY pair...fledged 4 babies!
2013 notta, few lookie lous
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tonyg
- Posts: 1520
- Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
- Location: Olpe, KS
- Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..
Congrats to you Fred! Now that you have them, it will be very important to protect them now. Keep the sparrows and starlings away, make sure you have predator guards on your poles for snakes and coons and you should enjoy them for many years to come. Some people think all you have to do is put up a house and leave them alone.. much work is involved for this wonderful hobby..good luck rest of year..Tony
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
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Tom Teague
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2003 12:39 pm
- Location: Trophy Club, TX
Fred, way to go...we really enjoyed visiting your site the other evening. Of course I see them evert time I leave the sudivision. Now if we can convince others to put up some additional housing we will have more and more PMs come to the area.
See ya soon.
Tom
See ya soon.
Tom
wow you are so lucky, first shot. I work hard on my martins. I premake nests, remove babies take off blowflies, feed them crickets when the rain and cold comes and watch each day with such joy in having them in their condo...Tom Teague wrote:Fred, way to go...we really enjoyed visiting your site the other evening. Of course I see them evert time I leave the sudivision. Now if we can convince others to put up some additional housing we will have more and more PMs come to the area.
See ya soon.
Tom
2007 none
2008 few landed
2009 - 2 pair - 9 eggs- 9 fledged
2010 - 1ASY pair and 4SY pair total 10 bird
2011 first ASY pair May 06
2012 first pair arrived May 01, May 21 total 10 pairs 49 babies
2013 May 04 martins 2 pair May 19 total 12 pair
2014 May 08 2 pair May 12 almost full 10 pair
2008 few landed
2009 - 2 pair - 9 eggs- 9 fledged
2010 - 1ASY pair and 4SY pair total 10 bird
2011 first ASY pair May 06
2012 first pair arrived May 01, May 21 total 10 pairs 49 babies
2013 May 04 martins 2 pair May 19 total 12 pair
2014 May 08 2 pair May 12 almost full 10 pair
Wow. You are very blessed. We were one of the ones that had to wait, and our wait was six years. We just got four pairs to stay this year for the first time. Congrats on your quick success. Martins are so much fun to have around. Enjoy!
cb
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Hanover Bill
- Posts: 656
- Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 3:10 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania/Hanover Township
- Martin Colony History: 2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
Congratulations on your good fortune Fred. I am entering my fourth year of trying. I had visitors last year but not a sign of a Martin so far this year.
Unfortunately I seem to be in an area of Western Pa. that is bereft of Martins for whatever reason, and thus it appears that it is going to be very difficult to attract them.
One thing I have learned from the Forum is that just as in the real estate business, in the Martin business location is everything, it's location, location, location. You are fortunate to live in "Martin Territory".
Enjoy your Martins, and best of luck to you moving forward.
Hanover Bill.
Unfortunately I seem to be in an area of Western Pa. that is bereft of Martins for whatever reason, and thus it appears that it is going to be very difficult to attract them.
One thing I have learned from the Forum is that just as in the real estate business, in the Martin business location is everything, it's location, location, location. You are fortunate to live in "Martin Territory".
Enjoy your Martins, and best of luck to you moving forward.
Hanover Bill.
2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
I have about 12 eggs in my 2 houses that have not hatched. I would like to put down some sevin dust. Can you put it over the eggs or do you move the eggs or just spread it around the nest. I would like to avoid the mites if possible.
Thanks for any advice you guys have.
Fred
Thanks for any advice you guys have.
Fred
Fred