After too early a start and a lot of anxiety with my first arrival in nasty weather on 2/26, the weather has improved and martins are flowing in with the southerly winds over past couple of days. Yesterday I had 5 on board, and two more just showed up in the last half hour. They're all out feeding right now.
I just spoke to Jay Chism, and he had a scout at his place in Nixa yesterday. Missouri landlords, get those racks up if you haven't already.
Jeff
Martins Riding Southerly Winds into Missouri
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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
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.
Jeff, sounds like things are getting busy there! I have been gone all week, but plan on getting more gourds up this weekend. Thanks for the update! 
"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
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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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
Anytime Kathy! Best to you this season!
Jeff
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.
I was just outside and I heard her calling me - she came down and circled, landed and now she's riding the wind. One of my girls is the first back this year!!! GURL power!!! 
Yippeee!!!
Yippeee!!!
"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
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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JL Murray
Congrats Kathy!KathyF wrote:I was just outside and I heard her calling me - she came down and circled, landed and now she's riding the wind. One of my girls is the first back this year!!! GURL power!!!
Yippeee!!!
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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
Alright Kathy - Congrats 
JL, I noticed you reported March 18th last year - shouldn't be much longer for you. I had 3 more visitors about an hour ago. They visited mine for a few minutes, then separated off and headed over the hills towards the Amish colonies....your direction if they keep on flying!
JL, I noticed you reported March 18th last year - shouldn't be much longer for you. I had 3 more visitors about an hour ago. They visited mine for a few minutes, then separated off and headed over the hills towards the Amish colonies....your direction if they keep on flying!
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
Good news Kathy, what a welcome home HUH?
Thanks again for the TS info. Hubby made 6 plates today, 2 for existing houses and 4 for new additions. I will post when finished.
Thanks again for the TS info. Hubby made 6 plates today, 2 for existing houses and 4 for new additions. I will post when finished.
D'Nese in Tennessee
2009-new house up, many visitors no one stayed
2010-3 pairs, 14 eggs, 9 babies 9 fledged
2011 20 pairs, 106 eggs, 79 fledged
2012 37 pair, 120 fledged
2013 37 pair, 173 fledged
2009-new house up, many visitors no one stayed
2010-3 pairs, 14 eggs, 9 babies 9 fledged
2011 20 pairs, 106 eggs, 79 fledged
2012 37 pair, 120 fledged
2013 37 pair, 173 fledged
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JL Murray
I am keeping an eye out for them!Jeff Robinson wrote:Alright Kathy - Congrats
JL, I noticed you reported March 18th last year - shouldn't be much longer for you. I had 3 more visitors about an hour ago. They visited mine for a few minutes, then separated off and headed over the hills towards the Amish colonies....your direction if they keep on flying!
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MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Good luck to you all! Please, if you have any homeless PMs, please send them my way! 
I am putting up my new house today (Trendsetter 12). The original house at my location was an inaccessible S&S trash factory (cheapo from big box store), and we took it down right away when we moved in here. We have 5 acres of mostly open land, and the neighbor has same, plus a pond. I have not seen any active PM houses in my area. I just hope the Martins can find me! I do think I will plug most of the SREH holes with chunks of swim noodle until they do, as HOSPs will be a battle, just ask my BBs! (S&S trap has been a faithful helper!)
I am putting up my new house today (Trendsetter 12). The original house at my location was an inaccessible S&S trash factory (cheapo from big box store), and we took it down right away when we moved in here. We have 5 acres of mostly open land, and the neighbor has same, plus a pond. I have not seen any active PM houses in my area. I just hope the Martins can find me! I do think I will plug most of the SREH holes with chunks of swim noodle until they do, as HOSPs will be a battle, just ask my BBs! (S&S trap has been a faithful helper!) ~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
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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
MamaBruff,
Welcome to the forum! The Trendsetter 12 is a great choice - martins love them. If you so desire, you can order gourd hanging arms and attach them underneath the lower porches. That gives them more of a selection which I found most important when I started.
Although you may not know of any colonies in your vicinity, there are plenty in that area. You're also along a major travel corridor, as they seem to travel up Interstate 71.
Best to you this season!
Jeff
Welcome to the forum! The Trendsetter 12 is a great choice - martins love them. If you so desire, you can order gourd hanging arms and attach them underneath the lower porches. That gives them more of a selection which I found most important when I started.
Although you may not know of any colonies in your vicinity, there are plenty in that area. You're also along a major travel corridor, as they seem to travel up Interstate 71.
Best to you this season!
Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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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.
Yes, welcome, MamaBruff. I did add four gourds under my new trendsetter 12 this year. It was easy to add them. I love the look. I am hopeful some of mine make it back any day now. Our temps will improve in a few days and be much better for them if they show.
Kathy! A girl first. Outstanding! Enjoy!
Deb
Kathy! A girl first. Outstanding! Enjoy!
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
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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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 2441
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
- Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
- Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged
Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged
KathyF ---- Great news, Have a good year..
Dave
Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio
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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..
Play that dawn song Mama Bruff!.. They'll find you...
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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MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Thank you everyone! I will look into adding some gourds to my Trendsetter. This first season's startup is becoming a "small fortune", but if the PMs come, it will be well worth it for many years ahead! Good luck and thanks again! Mary
~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Congratulations on your new arrivals Jeff and Kathy, hope the weather holds for yous now.
Welcome to the forum MamaBruff. It sounds like your in a good area and are getting good info. Read as much as you can and don't be shy about asking any questions. Your time is fast coming so try all you can and I bet you will get some birds this season. Good luck.----- Ed.
Welcome to the forum MamaBruff. It sounds like your in a good area and are getting good info. Read as much as you can and don't be shy about asking any questions. Your time is fast coming so try all you can and I bet you will get some birds this season. Good luck.----- Ed.
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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
Thanks Ed,
We're finally getting out of the 40s today, and for the next several days "hopefully!" Good thing too, considering supplemental feeding just isn't the same as the real thing - they're looking a bit ragged. I finally have my current martins-on-board trained for flipped crickets, as well as crickets left just inside their compartments. I've been busy flipping every evening after work, and true to the advice of many who've posted how to do it, it took me hundreds of flipped crickets before they ALL caught on. Kathy would be proud - it was a GURL that took the first one, and actually the first 20 before another finally followed, then another 30 - 40 flips, and another one joined in ... till finally yesterday evening, they would all fly off the perches when I'd flip 2 or 3 crickets at a time.
Pretty neat to hear that tick as the crickets hit their beak, or the whirring/whistling sound (like incoming artillery) when one of them sees 3 crickets flipped straight up in the air, from about 100 feet up and they fold their wings back and do the bullet dive to catch it just before it hits the ground - that was yesterday evening...AWESOME!
Jeff
We're finally getting out of the 40s today, and for the next several days "hopefully!" Good thing too, considering supplemental feeding just isn't the same as the real thing - they're looking a bit ragged. I finally have my current martins-on-board trained for flipped crickets, as well as crickets left just inside their compartments. I've been busy flipping every evening after work, and true to the advice of many who've posted how to do it, it took me hundreds of flipped crickets before they ALL caught on. Kathy would be proud - it was a GURL that took the first one, and actually the first 20 before another finally followed, then another 30 - 40 flips, and another one joined in ... till finally yesterday evening, they would all fly off the perches when I'd flip 2 or 3 crickets at a time.
Pretty neat to hear that tick as the crickets hit their beak, or the whirring/whistling sound (like incoming artillery) when one of them sees 3 crickets flipped straight up in the air, from about 100 feet up and they fold their wings back and do the bullet dive to catch it just before it hits the ground - that was yesterday evening...AWESOME!
Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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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
Hey JL,
Just saw your scout report - Congrats on starting your season!
Surprised we haven't heard anything from Keith in Ava yet, but wouldn't be surprised to hear from him today considering the warm temps and southerly winds!
Jeff
Just saw your scout report - Congrats on starting your season!
Surprised we haven't heard anything from Keith in Ava yet, but wouldn't be surprised to hear from him today considering the warm temps and southerly winds!
Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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JL Murray
Thanks Jeff i am doing the Happy (Dance) Roll !!!Jeff Robinson wrote:Hey JL,
Just saw your scout report - Congrats on starting your season!
Surprised we haven't heard anything from Keith in Ava yet, but wouldn't be surprised to hear from him today considering the warm temps and southerly winds!
Jeff
Woke up made a cup of coffee looked outside and there they were a Male and a Female they were circling the Gourd Racks then they landed and started peeking in almost every Gourd after checking everything out for about an hour and a half they took off circling around eating I hope they come back later.
Sure was nice to see them I told them Welcome home and talked to them for a bit...LOL