Fewer Martins than normal
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
You'll have more coming in for a while yet, we are not quite at the halfway point of migration (jan-end of June). Weather has probably slowed things down a bit - and that's the weather last April I am referring to. Martins in south lost eggs, laid new clutches, etc - so their season was pushed back a few weeks. Many adult martins headed south a bit later, so they may be returning a bit later, since their molt was delayed.
Not sure that I didn't gain some this afternoon. I had to leave during roost time so didn't get to watch and count all of them, but a good number were already on or in their houses and I counted a good number flying high catching bugs over the colony and some of those were dropping in to roost as I left. I will know more come daylight tomorrow.
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tonyg
- Posts: 1520
- Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
- Location: Olpe, KS
- Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..
Yes Greg..at this time last year I had at least 40 birds here.. I have 7/9 here now...
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
For me, this is the earliest and greatest numbers in 18 years. Despite the longest and coldest winter ever, 3 martins showed up 3/15/14. That's a record by 4 days and over a week earlier than normal. Yesterday I had 8 martins when normally I'd have 0. I think last year, the year without a winter, spoiled my martins.
Fledged over 3,000 martins in beautiful southern Indiana since 1996.
Started 2 colonies and mentored 3 colonies with total fledged >4,000 martins into the world.
Started 2 colonies and mentored 3 colonies with total fledged >4,000 martins into the world.
I may very well have caught back up with expected numbers as of yesterday evening. I have not been able to count and there are enough of them now that I might not get an accurate count while they are flying as the sky is covered with them. Quite loud when they start their singing. I love it. There are a number of them that have taken instantly to the new gourds hanging under the houses for the first time ever. I didn't know how that was going to go in this first year, but it is going to be a non issue. I can foresee a couple of large circular racks going up for next year. I also built my father in law 2 large houses that we got put up the other day so that he can host some. Each side has 8 holes with compartments 7 x 7 x 10.5 inches with a 3.5 inch door fronts to extend depth. The house is ventilated using mini gable vents and internal circulation routes. Made with 3/4 inch thick wood on a square pole with winch system. This is a new design for me, but I like it.
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I am now over 30 birds on site so things are picking up, but still a good ways away from my 100+ that I was expecting this year. Still plenty of time to get them though. The ones here were fighting up a storm today over compartments. I watched two males hook up and fall to the ground like 8 times within a minute. One of the toughest fights I have seen. I think those two have been studying Brazillian JiuJitsu in the off season. They are thus far really liking the new gourds. I expect the 16 I added this year won't last empty too much longer.