Does anyone know if the martins are gathering in Austin at highland mall area yet? Mine have departed lake Buchanan. On July 13 I counted 30 martins at my 6 gourds on the lake then last weekend I had two!
Rick
Austin Texas roost
The Austin roost is booming but will be thinning out before too long.
There is a post on here about the roost party there on Friday and Saturday nights.Haven't had a chance to go this year yet but hopefully this week or weekend.
There is a post on here about the roost party there on Friday and Saturday nights.Haven't had a chance to go this year yet but hopefully this week or weekend.
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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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Vern, the martins will still be there, though numbers are decreasing as the birds head south. This past weekend was the final roost watch event hosted by Travis Audubon- they did a WONDERFUL job, too - combining education, awareness, and appreciation of the martins and roost.
I was thinking it would start to decline soon.
I'm already seeing groups of swifts flying over headed South...I'm almost due South of Austin about 35 miles.
I'm already seeing groups of swifts flying over headed South...I'm almost due South of Austin about 35 miles.
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.
We went last night and it was truly amazing. There was a significant crowd in the parking lot, too. How anyone can begin to estimate those moving numbers is a mystery to me.
Meanwhile, this past Sunday, our last gourd fledged - two chicks raised by a single mother. Our small flock is still hanging around every morning and then, suddenly, all is quiet the rest of the day. I'd love to know where they go after they leave here, and is there a secret roost? Who knows.[/i]
Meanwhile, this past Sunday, our last gourd fledged - two chicks raised by a single mother. Our small flock is still hanging around every morning and then, suddenly, all is quiet the rest of the day. I'd love to know where they go after they leave here, and is there a secret roost? Who knows.[/i]
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Sharon - Central TX
- Posts: 696
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:20 pm
- Location: Central TX
- Martin Colony History: All Troyer Horizontal Gourds with Conley Entrances
PMCA Member since 2004
I'm glad to hear they are still at Highland Mall. We haven't been yet this year so maybe we can make it this weekend.
We still have birds at our colony but not for long. Our last four renesters will probably be leaving any day. I think the last two gourds fledged today but they are back this evening.
I was just thinking as I sit and watch the few that are left what an awesome year it has been. Our best ever in 10 years. These birds are such a blessing. You can't help but see God's creation in so many ways, even to the point that even though ready to leave, some of the birds stay and wait for that very last gourd. We've seen it several times throughout the years. It's like they don't want to leave any behind! But soon all will be quiet and I will miss their acrobatic ways, the sounds, the fighting to get into gourds at night and all the other ways they entertain us.
Be safe my birds.
We still have birds at our colony but not for long. Our last four renesters will probably be leaving any day. I think the last two gourds fledged today but they are back this evening.
I was just thinking as I sit and watch the few that are left what an awesome year it has been. Our best ever in 10 years. These birds are such a blessing. You can't help but see God's creation in so many ways, even to the point that even though ready to leave, some of the birds stay and wait for that very last gourd. We've seen it several times throughout the years. It's like they don't want to leave any behind! But soon all will be quiet and I will miss their acrobatic ways, the sounds, the fighting to get into gourds at night and all the other ways they entertain us.
Be safe my birds.
Well spoken, Sharon. Those first days of silence always make my heart ache a little. Then February finally rolls around and joy!
At least we've got the monarch migration to look forward to, and then there are the overwintering hummingbirds I've had for the last three years! I recommend that those of you who provide for them during the summer to keep up a feeder during the fall and watch it closely. You might find you have some, too!
At least we've got the monarch migration to look forward to, and then there are the overwintering hummingbirds I've had for the last three years! I recommend that those of you who provide for them during the summer to keep up a feeder during the fall and watch it closely. You might find you have some, too!
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Sharon - Central TX
- Posts: 696
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:20 pm
- Location: Central TX
- Martin Colony History: All Troyer Horizontal Gourds with Conley Entrances
PMCA Member since 2004
MarkJohn,
We've had a lot of hummers this summer. Some years they seem to move on for a while then return again. But many have stayed this time.
I've tried to keep a feeder going into the winter but there don't seem to be any that overwinter. What area do you live in? We are north of Austin. Ours are all ruby throats and black chins. One year at the end of the season we had a rufous show up. Boy was he aggressive. He chased all the other hummingbirds away. He stayed longer than usual but eventually even he left.
Yes, we still have other wildlife to look forward to. We are adjacent to a small lake and get a lot of migrating ducks every year. So when the martins leave followed by the hummers, I know the ducks will soon start arriving. There is always something in this great state we live in ;-).
We've had a lot of hummers this summer. Some years they seem to move on for a while then return again. But many have stayed this time.
I've tried to keep a feeder going into the winter but there don't seem to be any that overwinter. What area do you live in? We are north of Austin. Ours are all ruby throats and black chins. One year at the end of the season we had a rufous show up. Boy was he aggressive. He chased all the other hummingbirds away. He stayed longer than usual but eventually even he left.
Yes, we still have other wildlife to look forward to. We are adjacent to a small lake and get a lot of migrating ducks every year. So when the martins leave followed by the hummers, I know the ducks will soon start arriving. There is always something in this great state we live in ;-).
We're north of San Antonio. Last winter was severe; the solution froze many times, but they always came through. Since they were females, I had a hard time identifying them. I learned that overwintering hummers are really quite common, even staying behind in states north of ours! Amazing little creatures.
Love ducks too! We get tree ducks every spring. They're so vocal and comical. I think they find us almost as interesting as we find them.
Such incredible bird diversity here in Texas!
Love ducks too! We get tree ducks every spring. They're so vocal and comical. I think they find us almost as interesting as we find them.
Such incredible bird diversity here in Texas!