We had so many martins visiting here two days ago, it seemed like the entire colony came back for a final vist. What surprised me the most is that the majority of them were sitting at the gourds that they used all year, so I definitely think that they were our martins that came back for a final vist (so I wish them well on their journey). The roost is only about 10 or 12 miles (estimated) away, so its so easy to visit. The martins were so vocal, I told Betty it sounds like springtime with the martins....I enjoyed the visit.
I think that we still have a couple nests that have not fledged, at least they are still here at daylight
A final return visit?
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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
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Donnie Hurdt MN
- Posts: 1723
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:14 pm
- Location: North Prairie, MN
Emil, they are starting to fledge around here my yard was full of young martins yesterday flying around my housing which is identical to the housing at my neighbors where they most likley fledged from. Now if only they would come back here next year! 
PMCA member and Martin fanatic....
2011 A pair of subbies fledged three young but none returned in 2012
2015 One Pair of subbies came and stayed a few nits but got chased away by Bluebirds and Tree swallows.
2017 0ne pair of subbies nested and fledged 4 young
2018 Tree Swallows AGAIN chased away any martins that wanted to nest
2019 Same old story................
2011 A pair of subbies fledged three young but none returned in 2012
2015 One Pair of subbies came and stayed a few nits but got chased away by Bluebirds and Tree swallows.
2017 0ne pair of subbies nested and fledged 4 young
2018 Tree Swallows AGAIN chased away any martins that wanted to nest
2019 Same old story................
Same thing here today.
All the fledges have been gone for almost a month.
I normally have 8 to 12 that come in about 8am, sit on the porches of the same gourds each day and are gone by noon.
Today, it was totally different and looked like all my adults came back for a final visit before the roosts swarm and they head out for summer vacation.
Interesting little creatures...just when I think I have them figured out, they spring something different on me!
All the fledges have been gone for almost a month.
I normally have 8 to 12 that come in about 8am, sit on the porches of the same gourds each day and are gone by noon.
Today, it was totally different and looked like all my adults came back for a final visit before the roosts swarm and they head out for summer vacation.
Interesting little creatures...just when I think I have them figured out, they spring something different on me!
Cheers,
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
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Virgil McCoy
- Posts: 302
- Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:06 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Alexandria
- Martin Colony History: Purple Martin Landlord since 2006
That's really neat Emil!
Proud to be a fourth generation Purple Martin landlord.
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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
Donnie, at least they land on your housing for a visit, I would think that some will return and nest at your place
Vern1, do you have a roost nearby? I am thinking that this happens more often near a roost
Virgil, I too thought that it was near, I enjoyed it
Vern1, do you have a roost nearby? I am thinking that this happens more often near a roost
Virgil, I too thought that it was near, I enjoyed it
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Greetings Emil,
The nearest roost (that I know of) is the Higland Mall roost in Austin which is about 30 miles as the Martin flys.
When they come in for daily visits, that is the direction they come from.
I have heard rumors of another roost just south of Luling which is about 20 miles away.
I have watched the dopler radar and drove around the area when gas was affordable and didn't find anything there yet.
The nearest roost (that I know of) is the Higland Mall roost in Austin which is about 30 miles as the Martin flys.
When they come in for daily visits, that is the direction they come from.
I have heard rumors of another roost just south of Luling which is about 20 miles away.
I have watched the dopler radar and drove around the area when gas was affordable and didn't find anything there yet.
Cheers,
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
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jr 2
- Posts: 749
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:20 pm
- Location: ohio,proctorville(just across ohio river from huntington,west virginia)
seems like all of my martins have been comming back of the evening for a week or 2 now at dusk and are making a lot of noise and some are still here of morning and going in same compartments they fledged from;;had too chase a hawk or vulture off of the power line yesterday evening so the martins could land by their houses ;they were buzzing all around it;;i still have 2 sy pair with nest;;the huntington,w.va. roost is about 15 min.[ probably 5 min for martins] by car;;going too try an check it out this evening;;jr2
PMCA member; s 2011 2 pair fledged 3; 2012 3 asy pair,4 sy pair,2013 8 asy pair,6 sy pair;2014 19 asy pair,2 sy pair