My little colony is exploding with martins. I am astounded at the number of birds that keep arriving. I have 29 gourds and from watching I believe every single one of them are full.
I am so worried that some of the birds here do not have a gourd to spend the night in. I will be up late tonight watching to ensure everyone has a place to sleep. I am thinking about ordering some more gourds. If I order them now and put them up will it negatively impact my colony to add them this late in the game?
I am aware of a small colony about 4 miles from mine that took down their one of their two martin houses because they put their house up for sale. I believe that might be the reason for so many additional birds this year.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to disturb the birds I have but then my heart is aching for the birds that have no gourd to potentially nest in. UGH. NEVER in all the years I tried to get martins at this location would I have believed this would be a problem.
Colony Explosion
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DakotaLady
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
- Location: Bismarck, ND
~Tangula~
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
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Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
I think the resident martins would not mind more housing, but just think of the capacity of your gourd rack, can it handle the additional weight, survive the storms that are sure to come?
Don't need to worry about the birds spending the night outside, they've been sleeping outside ever since they left their nesting sites last summer.
As for them finding nesting sites, they'll move on and potentially start many new colonies.
Whatever you decide, its a good problem to have.
Have a great year!
Don't need to worry about the birds spending the night outside, they've been sleeping outside ever since they left their nesting sites last summer.
As for them finding nesting sites, they'll move on and potentially start many new colonies.
Whatever you decide, its a good problem to have.
Have a great year!
Last edited by Archer on Sat May 31, 2014 6:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
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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.
Tangula,
Get some more gourds up as soon as you can. Those martins need a good home.
Mark.
Get some more gourds up as soon as you can. Those martins need a good home.
Mark.
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.
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DakotaLady
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
- Location: Bismarck, ND
Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I have plenty room on my racks for gourds as I have only been buying a few a year. I am going to order some tomorrow. This is insane. I did not think there were that many birds around here. They do not seem to leave their gourds I think they fear someone else will move in. I hope they are getting enough to eat.
I seen they are now beginning to carry leaves in their gourds. I think the summer is going to fly by.
I hope all of you are enjoying your martins also.
I seen they are now beginning to carry leaves in their gourds. I think the summer is going to fly by.
I hope all of you are enjoying your martins also.
~Tangula~
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
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MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
So much for relaxing in the hot tub with a glass of wine... 
~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
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phldave
- Posts: 528
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:44 pm
- Location: Iowa/Pleasant Hill
- Martin Colony History: Started trying in 2012 and still trying
I wish some ones old uncared for house around here would explode while their martins are away, so they would come over and live at my place.
Sorry! this waiting is killing me.
Sorry! this waiting is killing me.
2012 late start
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
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Anthony Neira
- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
- Location: San Antonio /Texas
- Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !
Great What a great case of " DO'NT Be Careful What You Ask For !" Go For It ! And may the " Purple Force Be With You " ( like that Mark ? 
) Good Luck, Dakotalady
) Good Luck, Dakotalady-
Bob Buskas
- Posts: 600
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2003 8:08 pm
- Location: Wetaskiwin Alberta, Canada
Con grats "D" Lady! Isnt it Fun? You deserve IT!
Bob Buskas, Alberta, Canada (The Northern Sky's Colony) Supplimental feeding is the key during bad weather, but you must train them to feed ahead of time.
We love our birds so much. I am like you always worrying this and that. My goodness they fly from Brazil, across the Gulf and all the way to Northern Alberta and nest. What incredible birds. I do premake all their nests so when they arrive they have a cosy home all ready.
2007 none
2008 few landed
2009 - 2 pair - 9 eggs- 9 fledged
2010 - 1ASY pair and 4SY pair total 10 bird
2011 first ASY pair May 06
2012 first pair arrived May 01, May 21 total 10 pairs 49 babies
2013 May 04 martins 2 pair May 19 total 12 pair
2014 May 08 2 pair May 12 almost full 10 pair
2008 few landed
2009 - 2 pair - 9 eggs- 9 fledged
2010 - 1ASY pair and 4SY pair total 10 bird
2011 first ASY pair May 06
2012 first pair arrived May 01, May 21 total 10 pairs 49 babies
2013 May 04 martins 2 pair May 19 total 12 pair
2014 May 08 2 pair May 12 almost full 10 pair
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DakotaLady
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
- Location: Bismarck, ND
Thank you all for your wonderful messages. I am so happy I am beyond words. I did order more gourds and cannot wait until they arrive. While speaking to the very nice gentleman on the phone he told me about a Dakota martin organization and an upcoming meeting. It is about a 5 hour drive, but I might try to attend the meeting as it sounds like it will be a wonderful way to meet other martin enthusiasts.
I have this old metal house that I bought in 1999. No birds have even looked at it. Now I have 2 pairs of SY birds that are bringing in nesting material to that house as well.
I worked out in my gardens all evening and they are getting used to me walking around their housing. They are no longer frightened and fly off when I walk by.
I fear this may not be a hobby for me as I will not be able to stop buying more housing if I believe that some martins will not have a place to nest. UGH!
Thank you all for listening to my enthusiasm. I am really enjoying all these birds. I sure hope all of you get birds and can have this same experience.
I have this old metal house that I bought in 1999. No birds have even looked at it. Now I have 2 pairs of SY birds that are bringing in nesting material to that house as well.
I worked out in my gardens all evening and they are getting used to me walking around their housing. They are no longer frightened and fly off when I walk by.
I fear this may not be a hobby for me as I will not be able to stop buying more housing if I believe that some martins will not have a place to nest. UGH!
Thank you all for listening to my enthusiasm. I am really enjoying all these birds. I sure hope all of you get birds and can have this same experience.
~Tangula~
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
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KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
You've gotten some good advice, Tangula! It is up to you to decide whether you want to expand and it sounds like you do! That is a nice problem to have! The martins at your site will be a lot better off with you anyway.
I hate to see them turned away here, but I have all I can comfortably manage myself, so I just look away in the evenings as some of them leave to find other homes.
I hate to see them turned away here, but I have all I can comfortably manage myself, so I just look away in the evenings as some of them leave to find other homes.
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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Steve Kroenke
- Posts: 4342
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:49 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Logansport
Hey Tangula,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful news with us and thank you for taking good care of your martins!
The purple martin needs good landlords like yourself and if you can handle the situation, then by all means add some more housing! You still have time to attract SY pairs that are looking for a nest cavity.
Congratulations on your "colony explosion"! I am sure there are many martin landlords out there that would love to have that "big bang"!
Please keep us posted on how your martin colony is doing.
Steve
Thank you for sharing this wonderful news with us and thank you for taking good care of your martins!
The purple martin needs good landlords like yourself and if you can handle the situation, then by all means add some more housing! You still have time to attract SY pairs that are looking for a nest cavity.
Congratulations on your "colony explosion"! I am sure there are many martin landlords out there that would love to have that "big bang"!
Please keep us posted on how your martin colony is doing.
Steve
PMCA Member
300+ pairs of martins each season
300+ pairs of martins each season
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jacobweston
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun May 25, 2014 11:15 am
- Location: 389 N 3855 E, Rigby, ID 83442
The information suggested is very helpful.... Thanks for sharing....
How many nesting pairs did you end up with? How many gourds did you add in late May? Did the old metal house get more tenants?
My colony is about five miles from your friend Wendell Hansen. I offer 32 cavities a combination of gourds and two houses. I have 25 nesting pairs this year up just a couple of pairs this year. Wendell is down 17 nesting pairs this year and he said reports from all the local landlords that he assists are not very good. Most say their numbers are down and some are reporting no martins. Maybe the word spread in Brazil last winter that there is this great landlord up in Bismarck ND and they all flew right past Iowa.
My colony is about five miles from your friend Wendell Hansen. I offer 32 cavities a combination of gourds and two houses. I have 25 nesting pairs this year up just a couple of pairs this year. Wendell is down 17 nesting pairs this year and he said reports from all the local landlords that he assists are not very good. Most say their numbers are down and some are reporting no martins. Maybe the word spread in Brazil last winter that there is this great landlord up in Bismarck ND and they all flew right past Iowa.
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phldave
- Posts: 528
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:44 pm
- Location: Iowa/Pleasant Hill
- Martin Colony History: Started trying in 2012 and still trying
Tony,
This is the first I have noticed a post from you. It's nice to know there is someone else in the Des Moines area. Avesrun and I are the only ones I was aware of here. I am glad there is someone on this forum in our area that actually has martins. Approximately where in Des Moines are you located. I am in Pleasant Hill on Catalpa Dr. and Avesrun is in West Des Moines.
Dave
This is the first I have noticed a post from you. It's nice to know there is someone else in the Des Moines area. Avesrun and I are the only ones I was aware of here. I am glad there is someone on this forum in our area that actually has martins. Approximately where in Des Moines are you located. I am in Pleasant Hill on Catalpa Dr. and Avesrun is in West Des Moines.
Dave
2012 late start
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
Hi Pleasant Hill Dave,
I don't post a lot, just check in and read several times a week. I did respond to the you before on the thread you opened on 7-6-13. If you check out the info under my name you see Des Moines-Milford. During the winter I live in Des Moines and the summers Okoboji (Milford,IA). The two martins sites I have are at our home on the lake and on a vacant lake lot I own close to our summer home. Hang in there and I'm sure you will get some martins soon. They are easy to get on the lake. All the dragon flies and other bugs make it a easy choice for the matins. From my house I can see six other sites and we all have martins. After all the young have fledged the sky is full of martins.
I don't post a lot, just check in and read several times a week. I did respond to the you before on the thread you opened on 7-6-13. If you check out the info under my name you see Des Moines-Milford. During the winter I live in Des Moines and the summers Okoboji (Milford,IA). The two martins sites I have are at our home on the lake and on a vacant lake lot I own close to our summer home. Hang in there and I'm sure you will get some martins soon. They are easy to get on the lake. All the dragon flies and other bugs make it a easy choice for the matins. From my house I can see six other sites and we all have martins. After all the young have fledged the sky is full of martins.