Earliest Martin for me.

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Jack Petty-IL
Posts: 46
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:51 pm
Location: Illinois

ASY Male arrived here at 12n today! Totally caught me off guard! I usually don't see any birds until April 15. And with the cold weather we have had in northern Illinois this year I thought they might arrive even later. So I will have to keep a good eye on this guy!

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2012 40 Pair filled up!
Jack-IL
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Matt F.
Posts: 3978
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:48 am
Location: Houston, TX

Great report Jack!
He must have been extra eager to get back home!
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Doug Martin - PA
Posts: 1988
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.

Jack,

I have a few of the same entrances. I modified other ones into almost the same shape. Maybe I will post a pic.

Interesting. They work fine too.

Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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Jack Petty-IL
Posts: 46
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:51 pm
Location: Illinois

Thanks Matt! I can only hope it warms up fast! I've got meal-worms ready if needed.
Jack-IL
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Jack Petty-IL
Posts: 46
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:51 pm
Location: Illinois

Thanks Doug! I'ts been a great entrance opening for me! I designed it in 2006 and introduced it to the Martin Clubhouse about then. the idea was to reduce the shoulder opening on the starlings, less than the crescent. It is 3 1/2 " wide and 1/3/16" at the high center point. I use 3/4" corners up north here where the starlings are probably larger, and some of the Southern landlords are using the 5/8" corners further reducing the shoulder opening where the Starlings are smaller! and so far (keeping my fingers crossed it has not been breached at these sizes, nor at my colony in the past 5 years. So I'm really happy with it so far!
Jack-IL
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James Strickland FL
Posts: 2249
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:04 pm
Location: Reidsville NC
Martin Colony History: 2017 Had a lot visitors no Matins nesting, hoping 2018 will be different.
2018 Had 1 pair
2019 had 30 pair

Great News, but it looks cold.
PMCA MEMBER
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Dave Duit
Posts: 2145
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
Location: Iowa / Nevada
Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.

Martins seem to be pushing the envelope in arriving as soon as possible this season. Tons of supplimental feeding needed.
ImageMite control, heat venting, predator protection and additional feeding during bad weather add up to success.
ImageIPMO LOGO1.jpg
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Jack Petty-IL
Posts: 46
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:51 pm
Location: Illinois

Dave, sure sounds like it according to what Louise is saying also from the reports their seeing! Last year we would have had 3 weeks of low 80's during March, but my martins were still arriving at the 15 of April. This March has been so cold and below normal temps, and I've got a male and female in yesterday. Puzzles me!
Jack-IL
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JL Murray

RIP....Jack, You will be sadly missed by your Martin's as well as those of us in the Martin World
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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

Jack was such a nice man, and will miss his postings He developed a very good starling resistant entry hole, he loved his martins
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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ChrisM
Posts: 143
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:01 pm
Location: Hiawatha, Kansas

Didn't know he passed away. ;(
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Matt F.
Posts: 3978
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:48 am
Location: Houston, TX

Yet another wonderful, champion of the Purple Martin, has left us.
My thoughts and prayers are with Jack's family, and close friends.
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