Wichita's Roost

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eah415
Posts: 53
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2005 6:17 pm
Location: kansas/andover

Martins have been gathering for the last two weeks at the St francis area. This is at St Francis and Ninth,,West of the tracks. The best tim is at 8:35 to 9:10 in the evening. There is starting to be quiet a few birds.
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DebA
Posts: 1941
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
Location: Pratt County/Kansas
Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.

I will probably drive in a couple of times during it's peak. Dragging some friends with this year. Last year it was mid-August. I wonder if it will still be then or sooner since they arrived sooner?

Yay....could you keep me posted as to what you hear/see/know? Thank you!!

Deb
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
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eah415
Posts: 53
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2005 6:17 pm
Location: kansas/andover

No one knows when they will leave but it's my guess they were one month early and they will leave about a month early. I would guess they could start leaving about the 15 of july and be gone by the first of August.
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razman
Posts: 568
Joined: Sun May 09, 2004 3:14 pm
Location: wichita ks

WOW....i didn't realize they were already gathering at St Francis! guess i need to make it down there soon to check it out. My martin pair nested almost a full month earlier than they did last year, so i guess everything including roost and departure will be moved up a bit....
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
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DebA
Posts: 1941
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
Location: Pratt County/Kansas
Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.

Even though most of my nests have fledged it seems that most of my birds are still here. Plus more. Last year I saw the roost after my birds left. I imagined mine were there in that organized chaos. Since it's the closest big roost. I wonder if they travel east to that one or head south to OK CIty. I will never know.
Deb
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
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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..

Gonna have to make it down there this year. Been meaning to for a couple of years now. Only an hour and a half away, straight down the pike. :)
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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DebA
Posts: 1941
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
Location: Pratt County/Kansas
Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.

Has anyone been yet this year? Just wondering how the build up is. I'd like to go once or twice and hope to hit it during peak.
Deb
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
Top
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..

Yes Deb!! You need to go now!! I was there last week and it was amazing. Took a video with my phone, tried to have Louise put it on the forum, i'm thinking she never got it in my email or had difficulties with it here..but you NEED TO GO NOW....it was my first time and I was in Martin Heaven for 20 min I was there.
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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razman
Posts: 568
Joined: Sun May 09, 2004 3:14 pm
Location: wichita ks

sounds very cool Tony...get the vid posted on here!!
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
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