Three Martins Spotted at Armond Bayou Nature Center, Hou Tex

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ldybala
Posts: 61
Joined: Tue Feb 17, 2004 1:32 pm
Location: Texas/Houston

In our monthly Audubon bird count at Armond Bayou Nature Center in Clear Lake (just outside of Houston, Tx) I spotted three purple martins. The first I've seen this year!
2013 one pair; 4 eggs; 1 fledged
2014 three pair; 6 fledged
2015 six pair; 16 fledged
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Emil Pampell-Tx
Posts: 6743
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas

That is great if they were martins. I usually do not count fly-bys until they land on our gourd racks (or until I hear their chirp). Its too easy to mistake some other swallow for a purple martin.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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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.

Like Emil, I am excited about the report but personally I would not report it as confirmed.
I can remember lying on the grass close to my father's colony and watching and listening to the martins as a child. My favorite thing was when they descended from a speck in the sky to the martin house in their swept wing configuration. They are professionals who live and survive by their flight skills.
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.
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Don Troha
Posts: 367
Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:14 pm
Location: Texas/Houston

Good news & thanks for the report. Always interesting whether Martins will be spotted first at birding hotspots or if they will head straight to colony sites. Martins typically show up at my place about two weeks after first sighting in the area, so I expect to see 'em maybe first week of Feb.
2025 - 15 pair, 56 fledged
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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 !

Thanks for letting us know! If you do monthly bird counts, I'll take your word that they are Martins ! :grin: ..."Hope Springs..."
PMCA Member, 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals + Tunnels, & 2 S&K Bo 11"s WITH Troyer Porches ! 4 MPPs, For 2019 Season !! :grin: Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.
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JeanS
Posts: 115
Joined: Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:08 pm
Location: Sugar Land, TX
Martin Colony History: 2002 -Coates metal houses- about 18 pairs
2005 - Added a gourd rack- many more pairs
2007 - Added another gourd rack, gave the Coates houses away
2008-2015 - Experimented with many gourds & a few racks (its a sickness) fledged over 200 chicks/year. Hubby keeps records, not me. :-)
2016 - 64 gourds and expect most will be occupied

Wow, I'm all a twitter! Let the season begin!
Jean S
2002 - Coates metal houses- about 18 pairs
2005-2007 - added a gourd rack, then another gourd rack = many more pairs
2008-2015 - Experimented with many gourds & a few racks (its a sickness) fledged over 200 chicks/year
2016 - 64 gourds and expect most will be occupied
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