Two Birds Today

[bigfootokie]

Sorry I only make a post or two each season, but I really don't have much time to pay as much attention to the birds as I would like. Have had all gourds and the house sealed up until this morning when I saw two Martins flying around checking things out. Was able to get home about 4pm to unlock the doors...so to speak...and watched for a while but saw no evening action. Last year was pretty good and I'm happy to see my first activity just one day later than it was in 2012. It's a lot colder now than it was in 2012, but it looks like our little loud friends are coming up anyway. Maybe I can post some pics in the next few weeks as things progress. Quite a lot of bugs around so they should be OK if the chill doesn't get them...Fingers crossed. I quoted my post from last year below just for reference and timeframe.

Jim

Last year I added a new pole with 12 gourds since I had such a great year in 2010 (my first year).

I thought that since my first year was a breeze, my second year would at least double the number of nesting birds. Surprise, Surprise...A pair of Bluebirds decided to defend both poles and tried to build nests in most of the the 30 compartments available. The Martins came but were drivin away time and time again. I continually lowered the house and gourds removing nesting material, but the Bluebirds kept driving the PM's away.

I finally decided to close off all the compartments and see if that helped. It did after about a week, and the BB's moved to one of the houses I have had for years just for them.

Within a few days, the martins returned. I opened all of the entrances and had 5 pairs make residence. Thought I had it made...then the wind blew for weeks hard enough to bend both poles, I saw one hawk attack on the gourds, and the Crows started landing on the gourds trying to reach inside for a meal. Then it got HOT!!! And stayed HOT!!! The PM's stayed, but there were at least 6 young birds I found that died from the heat.

I was pretty upset about 2011 and considered not putting my housing back up this year, but I decided I would wait until the last minute so the BB's would be nesting and try it again. Today my son helped me make repairs to poles and we put it all back up.

I had not heard a Martin this Spring before today and was almost in shock about 10 minutes after we finished when I heard that unmistakeable sound. I stepped out of the barn and there were 6 PM's circling above the poles. They all landed and went into the gourds like they were coming home. I'm sure they were some of the same ones returning from last year since they went right into the same compartments that were used in 2011.

I was completely in shock...not 10 minutes before, all of the housing was in my barn. All of a sudden my friends were back. They spent the afternoon and evening making a LOT of noise, flying in and out of the area, and I know that 1 pair stayed for the night. Had work to do so I couldn't watch all evening.

Anyway, I made a short story long...but it was a great thing for me today after my horrible year in 2011. Maybe 2012 will pan out.

Jim

[DakotaLady]

Hey Jim congratulations on the return of your martins. I'm hoping since it was so cold and wintery in March that April will bring in a nice warm spring. Good luck with your martins this year. I would love to see photos.