martins everywhere

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Pappy
Posts: 15
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:37 pm
Location: Mississippi, Bay St Louis

Since fledging only a few martins were around the houses. Today I have well over a hundred. Any idea why?

ImageIMG_8165 by ausnic1, on Flickr

ImageIMG_8166 by ausnic1, on Flickr

ImageIMG_8151 by ausnic1, on Flickr
Pappy
taxidermy lady
Posts: 2988
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
Location: IL/Ellis Grove
Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!

Pappy, I would consider more cavities for next year. You may need them! :shock:
Sharon from southern Illinois
Chuck4
Posts: 861
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
Location: North MS
Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.

2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).

It looks like a bunch of juveniles have found your site and are probably resting. I think the power lines close by are the lure. They like your housing too. Do you know of any larger colonies near you? When did yours fledge? They may be yours.
PMCA Member
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pmartinlover2
Posts: 521
Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:37 pm
Location: IL/Hillsboro
Martin Colony History: 2011 Home site--1 SY pair--2 fledged
2016 Satellite Site---4 pair--19 eggs laid--17 hatched--16 fledged
2017 Satellite Site--8 pair--37 eggs laid--34 hatched--34 fledged
2018 11 pair--fledged 60
2019 20 pair-fledged 94
2020 23pair-fledged 108

I would never get out of my lawn chair if I had that many martins to watch! I have a power line too if you could spread the word, Pappy!

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Jody
taxidermy lady
Posts: 2988
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
Location: IL/Ellis Grove
Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!

Yeah Jody, I just got back from my ride around the farm on my 4 wheeler and the neighbor up on the hill had them on the power line up there! I'm like what the heck is wrong with the power line by my site! :shock: oh well!
Sharon from southern Illinois
Chris B
Posts: 379
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 4:10 pm
Location: AL/Toney

I am planning where to put my next racks by how they will be observable from my porch and the proximity to the power lines. I think the lines are an attractant. They sure like them.

Yeah, you're probably gonna need more housing next year. Good problem to have IMO.
2014 8 gourds, 3 pairs nested. Ended w/ 24 total
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.
Chris B
Posts: 379
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 4:10 pm
Location: AL/Toney

dupilicate.
2014 8 gourds, 3 pairs nested. Ended w/ 24 total
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.
birdy girl
Posts: 1179
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:09 am
Location: Mississippi/Dumas

It could be martins that are headed southward that just happen to find your site and are just checking things out as the time is nearing their journey to Brazil.
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