First Arkansas Update

[Kent Justus]

This has been a strange and challenging martin season so far in north-central Arkansas. My first scout showed up earlier than ever on February 8, but we continued having ice storms and snow at least 6-7 weeks after his arrival. I had snow on the ground as recently as March 23, and we were under a frost watch this morning. Unfortunately, I lost 6 ASY birds to the cold and wet weather. I saved 2 through feeding of super mealworms. I also lost one ASY female to a starling attack (even though all of my gourds have SREH).

It also seems that the migration is lagging a bit behind where it should be as far as numbers so far. I am already seeing SY birds here and their numbers are picking up. I added a new Creative Universe Enterprises Gemini gourd rack to my colony this year with 32 Troyer horizontal gourds with Conley II SREH entrances. What a beautiful and well-constructed rack! My total cavity count will be approximately 105 this year, an increase over the 88 cavities I’ve offered over the past few seasons.

Hawk pressure is high right now with accipiter migration in full swing. My racks are in the open, but a mature cooper’s hawk has still been trying its luck, and I’m sure it is also arriving and possibly even sitting on the gourd racks at dawn trying to ambush martins that are leaving their cavities. I have seen two unsuccessful attacks so far since the martins are usually alerted to incoming hawks by starlings and bluebirds and are far enough in the open to escape. My martins are leaving individually in the morning and flying away with speed to avoid being ambushed. Yesterday I sat out around 5:30 p.m. to watch the martins start to gather and there were none on the gourds at that time. I then heard a frantic alarm call to my left by the closest two oak trees by a few different kinds of birds and then walked over that way to see the cooper’s hawk on my neighbor’s driveway under the trees with a starling pinned to the ground! I’m sure it was hiding in those trees just waiting to ambush my martins.

My martins are actively building nests right now, but I have yet to see any eggs. I am adding white pine needles to new Troyer gourds in order to give the SY birds a head-start. I am trying to clean out a few sparrow nests every couple of days, and determined starlings have no problem breaching the Conley II entrances as well as crescent entrances on my old gourds when they are determined to enter. I have two starling pairs that are still trying to nest in my gourds. So far the great-horned owls are concentrating on my free-range chickens that are foolishly wanting to roost in a hackberry tree close to my house instead of following the others into the barn at night. Lost a hen to an owl two nights ago.

Wishing everyone a terrific season. Hope to see a few more Arkansas updates on here from others. I also hope everyone can make plans to join us again this year in Finger, TN for MartinFest 2013. - Kent Justus / Mt. Vernon, Arkansas

[Tom Christian]

Hi Kent,

Good to here from another Arkie. I,m in the Northwest part of the state, Carroll County, so know what you've been going through. I lost three of my first eight birds, but know have at least sixty with no sign of the sy crop yet.
Actually I think we have faired fairly well compared to our northern neighbors.
Take care and have a good year,

Tom

[bacato]

Indeed, it is nice to hear from other Arkie's. Hope your birds survive these last few cold nights. My young, but growing colony was all present and accounted for this morning.

[Matt F.]

Great to hear from you Kent!
I'm sorry about the tough go you and your Martins have had so far this season.
Side note, if I may.......
For those of you that may not be aware of the huge contributions made by Kent, he is not only the founder of this fabulous forum, but he was also the 1998 PMCA Landlord of the Year:
http://www.purplemartin.org/LOY/LOY1998.html

[DebA]

Kent,
I enjoyed your update. A big thank you for this forum! I have learned so much which was probably your main intention in its inception!
Deb

[Kent Justus]

Thanks, guys. Matt, great to hear from you, and great to hear from some fellow Arkies. Deb, I am so happy that after so many years this forum continues to be such a wonderful resource to people, from total beginners to those that are sharing their insights into martin behavior. That was the very intention when I started this forum many years ago, that no question was too basic, and the beginners could glean invaluable information from those who have been "doing martins" for many years and could help beginners avoid pitfalls that we have all faced and learned from mistakes in the past. The forum is better than it ever has been! - Kent

[John Barrow]

WOW!!
It's wonderful to log in and see Kent Justus' name on some posts.

Sorry to read about the problems you and many others are having this spring. We are in full swing here, but plagued by a seemingly endless drought. Egg laying is going into full swing, but we're seeing smaller clutches and too much supplemental feeding for this time of year. I guess these challenges are the norm and the really great years are few and far between.

It is great to see Martinfest back at the Stolls, and many appreciate your involvement in hosting that event. I hope those who read your posts and will be going to Martinfest will take the time to meet you. They will be meeting one of the most knowlegeable and nicest landlords I have ever known.

Your friends in South Texas wish you a great year with your colony and a spectacular Martinfest.

[Kent Justus]

Hey, John and your Martin Goddess! - I have the martin fever again and so glad to see the forum flourishing better than ever. Sorry to hear about the ongoing drought situation there in Texas. I always enjoy reading your posts. I have been lurking here even though not participating as much as I should, but I plan on trying to contribute more this year. We are excited that MartinFest is returning to Tennessee, and we hope for a good turnout again this year. Let's keep in touch, and thanks for your kind words. Your longtime friend, Kent

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Kent:

Nice to read your update and would also like to echo the remarks from others regarding your accomplishments for all you have done and continue to do for our martin brotherhood.

I am still unable to attract any lookers here at our new site in Hot Springs. This will be my fourth year trying.

I read a report from Malcolm Stephens this morning that he had a banded SY female at his colony in Texarkana, Tx. This SY female was banded at Robert Jernigan's colony in Oil City, La. last year which is approximately 50 miles due south of Texarkana. Maybe one of your banded SY's from last year will show up at my location.

See you at your colony site in June and best of luck with Martinfest this year.

Tim

[mvandyke]

Hello Arkansans,
I have been trying to get Martins for 3 years with no luck . I have moved to a more open area closer to my neighbor wh has a colony of about 70. I was encouraged yesterday while playing the Dawn song with a lot of lookers with none staying. My question is....am I too late to get PM this year?
Mike

[M.Stephens]

Arkansas Update?

I was born in in Arkansas if that counts!!LOL

Mike you are still in the game to get martins. They are still migrating.

[mvandyke]

Once an Arkansan, always an Arkansan. Thanks for the Tip!
Mike

[mvandyke]

Good evening,
I have finally got PM checking my housing out. Well guess what.... I have Blue Birds that are building a nest and they run the PMs off. What should I do to solve this feud and keep blue Birds and PM?

Mike