Saturday, I cleaned all my Martin units and today I went out to cover the entrances until they started arriving.
Just as I got the ladder set up, he came soaring over my head. I heard him first is what made me look up.
He was more interested in the house than the gourds, so I raised it back up and he landed on the first entrance that is usually occupied first on the house.
Usually, one of my older gourds is the first to be visited each year but a Hawk wiped them out last year.
I usually don't see the first ones until around the 19th of Feb. but last year, I it was the 12th and this year the 10th.
Good luck to all of you this year.
First one for 2014
-
Connie
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:05 pm
- Location: WALKER, LOUISIANA
- Martin Colony History: Had my site up to 22 gourds of which most (+/-3) stayed occupied.
Downsized to 17 gourds due to back surgeries. Had 14 families in 2017 but did not do nest checks due to health. Feeling better in 2018 and hoping for a good year.
James,
Mine were early this year also. Year before last they arrived on Feb.4, then last year Feb. 8, this year Feb. 6. It's still a little cold here, I wouldn't have minded if they had waited another week or so. A few on the forum told me it's warm enough for them to be ok so I can relax and enjoy them.
Good luck this season!
Mine were early this year also. Year before last they arrived on Feb.4, then last year Feb. 8, this year Feb. 6. It's still a little cold here, I wouldn't have minded if they had waited another week or so. A few on the forum told me it's warm enough for them to be ok so I can relax and enjoy them.
Good luck this season!
Connie
-
tlragsdale
- Posts: 218
- Joined: Wed Jul 24, 2013 12:22 pm
- Location: Wisconsin/New Richmond
Congrats to all who've experienced the much anticipated start of "their" martins returning home.
Posted by the jealous guy in Wisconsin
Posted by the jealous guy in Wisconsin
-
4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
James,
I assume that your martin houses and gourds were out on their poles and the houses and racks were raised for the season.
The martin made its presence known to you as you were getting ready to put on the entrance stops.
If your units were out and up, do you think that this martin was overnighting at your colony already?
Mark.
I assume that your martin houses and gourds were out on their poles and the houses and racks were raised for the season.
The martin made its presence known to you as you were getting ready to put on the entrance stops.
If your units were out and up, do you think that this martin was overnighting at your colony already?
Mark.
Last edited by 4th Gen Martin Fan on Thu Feb 13, 2014 12:14 am, edited 2 times in total.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
-
DebA
- Posts: 1941
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
- Location: Pratt County/Kansas
- Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.
One of my most favorite times. That first greeting. Said the envious gal in Kansas! Congrats!
Deb
Deb
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
-
JL Murray
It is nice to hear that your 2014 Martin season has began, Best of luck to you and your Colony this year.
-
CarrabelleBirder
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:53 pm
- Location: FL/Carrabelle
Living along the Gulf coast (s of Tallahassee FL) we are fortunate to see fallout of all the new arrivals. First scouts FOS were 01-30-14 and now -- right on time - family of 22 through, overnighters - As my maiden name would suggest - Feb 13th - Happy Balentyne's Day
enjoy - they're coming your way
enjoy - they're coming your way