Martin arrived today

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
CraigMo.
Posts: 1480
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:30 pm
Location: Missouri/Lone Jack
Martin Colony History: Active since 2003

A asy male Martin arrived this morning at 40 degrees. Hadn't seen him since. So at 2:30 I was gonna straighten out a house hoping I would stir him out to feed him 5 crickets cause last year I had finally trained them to eat flipping crickets. Well i did not have to do a thing . He came flying out of a gourd expecting crickets. :). I fed him those and he wanted more so I did. I Will feed him more before dark. Weather forecast is not good till Thursday . Tuesday & Wednesday is 46 so maybe he will find some warm spots. Snow tonight :(. Hope everyone has a good season
Craig
Top
Craig Haddox
Posts: 444
Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:13 pm
Location: Missouri Washington

Craig, congratulation's on your arrival. I am hoping to see some martins next weekend.
Top
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

Congrats on your first arrival Craig - I'm sure you'll take good care of him!

Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
Top
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

Craig -- Great news, Congrats and have a great year. :lol:

Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Top
JL Murray

Awesome! Glad they waited for milder temps.
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..

Congrats Craig!! Cold here today, 60's rest of week!!
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!!!!!
Top
JoLita
Posts: 44
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 2:21 pm
Location: Missouri/East Prairie
Martin Colony History: I have been a landlord for 24 years.
Three gourd racks with total of 28 super gourds.
2021 - 28 nesting pairs

Congratulations, Craig!
Top
CraigMo.
Posts: 1480
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:30 pm
Location: Missouri/Lone Jack
Martin Colony History: Active since 2003

Thanks everyone :grin: 2nd one came the next day. I have a male and female now. I do not think it got above 35 degrees when the 2nd one showed up. Both fed twice from me last eve. Next I need to train pms to eat from a feeding tray.
Craig
Top
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

Craig, great to hear they're feeding for you - a couple more days and we'll finally get a warm-up so they can take care of themselves.

I had my first success with flipping crickets yesterday evening when I returned home from work. I thawed out the crickets in warm water, then started to flippin. For the first 10 minutes or so, they would fly to and from and wouldn't settle down, but they finally landed on top of the racks and after flipping about 100+, one of the females finally took to it, and eventually caught 7 crickets. The temp was 40 degrees, and the others, although watching crickets fly by, just didn't take to it. Even the female that did feed, I think was more interested in getting back in the house since it was getting a little late, so I left them alone after flipping about 300 or so. Supposed to get up to 50 late this afternoon, but winds at 20 - 30, so I'll give it another whirl this evening if I catch em sitting outside.

My neighbors likely think I'm crazy, but hey, if they're entertained, all the better! :grin:

Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
Top
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.

Jeff, did you pick up say...about 150 of the dropped ones? Walking around with a flash light picking up dead crickets would look a little crazy. But probably something I would do!
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
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

No, only picked up about 50! :lol:

Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
Top
CraigMo.
Posts: 1480
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:30 pm
Location: Missouri/Lone Jack
Martin Colony History: Active since 2003

Jeff my guess is they were not hungry even though you got one to eat. if they were hungry they all would of joined in with the one and no crickets would hit the ground till full. once they start hitting the ground i quit feeding. i bet you have them trained now. Congrars:). Sorry for my sloppy post-typing on my small phone .
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Purple Martin Forum”