Where are they???????

[Beth H]

I'm getting really worried. No sign of any birds around my place yet and I've checked neighbour's houses too and they do not appear to have any birds. All the other spring birds have arrived back safe and sound. I am really missing them.

[Nealbopper]

I'm driving my neighbors nuts with my PM CD's playing constantly. I know some who have birds up north but not like they had them last year. There may have been a huge die off with this weird weather. I hope not because I have my first year set up ready and waiting for them, still no birds.

[pmlover]

they will come Beth I pray they do for you

[phldave]

Beth,

I haven't seen a thing since the solitary ASY female on the 26th of April took a rest at my place, and I am half way between you and the gulf coast.
Subbie reports are pretty scarce unless the active landlords just aren't reporting. There really trying our patience, but I guess we have to remember the weather has been very cool until recently.

Dave

[Gobbler T]

I think they're at your house!

Congrats!

[Nealbopper]

While I was outside shooting sparrows and starlings I was sitting and watching the tree swallows soaring and then way up above them I noticed 2 Martins circling, soaring above my yard. I watched them with my binoculars. 2 adult Purple Martins. They lifted my spirits big time. First birds I have seen in 2 weeks.

[avesrun]

I've been perusing the dates for subadult arrivals for Iowa for the last several years. It keeps me from losing all hope as a landlord wannabe. I'm going to remain optimistic until the end of May.
Question: I have a black and white cat that's been hanging out at my place for over a year now. I've been tolerating it mainly because I have lots of mice around my acreage. Any advice on whether this cat will be a factor in starting a colony? The cat does not bother my bird feeders and don't see where it will bother the Martin house. Anyone else have outdoor cats around their place?

[april57]

Just to let you know the martins are just arriving now in Alberta, Canada. Just a few days late from last year...yahooo!! so will be at your house soon!

[DornCounty]

Overall migration seems to be a bit slower this year from a multi species standpoint. Warbler migration is behind also.

[DebA]

Avesrun,
Yes, I have outside farm cats. And I love them too. Once I posted something about cats and was bombarded with opinions. Several felt strongly about them negatively. Saying there was no place for a cat with any birds, etc...

This is my fifth year of martins and 13 years of cats since living on this farm. I also feed all other birds. Have I seen cats stalking other birds? Yes. Have I seen them eat birds? Yes but rare. I have seen them with mice so much more. My husband thinks they don't hunt much because I feed them so much.

As far as my martins I haven't seen the cats pay too much attention to them. I was told recently that cats can climb 2" square pole with cable and winch. I am a doubter but anything's possible. I have misted and ice packed my homes during high heat and have not had any premature fledging. That would be a death sentance around here I am afraid. I also didn't have any heat related deaths in the compartments. Not everyone is able to do that. I would come home for lunch and switch out ice packs. I truly believe this made the difference.

You should hear from those that believe differently. But you asked if anyone else have cats so I answered and gave my tricks.
Deb

[avesrun]

Thanks Deb for the reply regarding cats. I hadn't thought about fledglings on the ground and the ice pack method. As an avid birder, I have conflicting emotions regarding cats too but choose to allow just this one on my acreage. I have no issues with the decision for people to have up to a few around as opposed to rampant breeding going on.
Basically just happy to hear Martins will coexist and will see about measures to regarding heat on the house. I need to purchase vents for my t-14. I did leave the area under the roof open to avoid a hot attic. Take care down there Kansas way and thanks again for your reply.

[avesrun]

Also I need to apologize to Beth for hijacking this thread from "where the heck are they" to a feline inquiry. My bad and sorry Beth; won't happen again. So I'll end this post with....
WHERE INDEED ARE THEY? ??
I've been staring so much at my setup for the last month that I walk around pretty much all day with an ever present afterimage of an empty Martin house etched in my vision (with one pesky male HOSP sitting on a porch calling for another female because I've trapped 3 of his perspective mates).

How do SY martins react to covered holes on a house? Will they hang around long to wait for opening? It's been so dead quiet I'm tempted to close all the holes except one so I can catch a persistent male hosp that's always on a porch.
My gut says leave everything open stupid; you don't want to leave anything to chance should sy birds happen to show up.
But also again, where are they ( always did have trouble staying on topic)!

[DebA]

I don't know if SY will stick around and wait. My colony started slowly but with ASY's and then by the time SY's came we were up and going.

One last cat thing...I am proud to say all of mine are spayed or neutered. Thank goodness.

Deb