I am watching the hurricane coverage this morning and they announced a national weather service warning of flash flooding in Slidell LA. I hope our friend there is ok!
This has made me think of the martins and wonder if prior to this were there several in the area migrating south? Or do they know to clear out and far around?
That made me wonder if they have some kind of inkling this kind of thing is happening this year and that is why they all came 3+ weeks early to start with so they were well on their way later. Might be a stretch but I wonder if early arrival is an indicator of strong gulf hurricanes for the year.
Dyonsay...stay safe and hopefully dry.
Deb
Isaac, precious birds, Slidell
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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.
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
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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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.
I'm with you, Deb. I've been thinking about David a lot lately. I don't think he's posted anything on this Forum since May.
So, David, let us know how you're doing... thanks!! Keeping you and yours in my prayers.
Edit: There was still a lot of roost activity around Lake Pontchartrain. I hope the Purple Martins got enough warning to get out of the way as Isaac advanced. I was glad to see the leading edge of the storm was well inland before the sun set. I think this would help with roosting Purple Martins. I "think" this would send them off to an area with calmer winds -- but, I honestly don't know. Nobody in Louisiana reported anything about the Pontchartrain Roost this year -- I don't remember anybody talking about it at all...
So, David, let us know how you're doing... thanks!! Keeping you and yours in my prayers.
Edit: There was still a lot of roost activity around Lake Pontchartrain. I hope the Purple Martins got enough warning to get out of the way as Isaac advanced. I was glad to see the leading edge of the storm was well inland before the sun set. I think this would help with roosting Purple Martins. I "think" this would send them off to an area with calmer winds -- but, I honestly don't know. Nobody in Louisiana reported anything about the Pontchartrain Roost this year -- I don't remember anybody talking about it at all...
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
All is well. I've been only checking the forum sporadically since Aug.
I didn't suffer any damages to the house nor my gourd rack. Martins have been long gone from here for quite a few weeks. From what I've heard, the roosts in Mandeville
have already departed on their journey. The PM houses we have maintained along the lake are removed in early August.
My pole for the AAA is very sturdy. During the windy moments it barely moved, although the rack was lowered to the lowest position. I've had the gourds removed for a few weeks as well.
David
I didn't suffer any damages to the house nor my gourd rack. Martins have been long gone from here for quite a few weeks. From what I've heard, the roosts in Mandeville
have already departed on their journey. The PM houses we have maintained along the lake are removed in early August.
My pole for the AAA is very sturdy. During the windy moments it barely moved, although the rack was lowered to the lowest position. I've had the gourds removed for a few weeks as well.
David
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
All is taken care of David, your area looks so nice!
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
The upshot is that for most of us to the north, Isaac provided some wonderful drought relief. I rec'd just over 5.5" total, and it soaked in - didn't seem to run off at all.
2010: two pair nested, 1 bird fledged.
2011: starlings/sparrows destroyed nests. I shut down the house early to save PM lives.
2012: new T-14 with SREH, & a Beeman R7. Four fledged this year.
2013: Destroyed many house sparrows, but fledged 21 PM's!
2011: starlings/sparrows destroyed nests. I shut down the house early to save PM lives.
2012: new T-14 with SREH, & a Beeman R7. Four fledged this year.
2013: Destroyed many house sparrows, but fledged 21 PM's!