Well one year ago today Fred came and started recruiting for me! Never did he find a mate that would stay! This morning I woke up after Tim M. Said he played his in the morning at 4:00 a.m. And turned my dawnsong on. I start work early so about 6:30 went out and started my day! I have my window shade down to keep the afternoon sun out so every now and again I peek out! At 7:40 I peeked out and what I thought was a ASY female became an SY male real quick! He loved what he saw I could just tell! He went in gourds and houses, he was everywhere! So I dialed the volume down a bit and watched. He stayed for 3 hours! Then he started recruiting, he's had females in his gourd already! At 3:30 there was a ASY male and female sitting on the trio! He's done more than FRED did in a week! But I still love FRED because he may recruit him being so agressive! He took out after a bluebird that was on a house and put him in his place real fast!
Now I do have a few decoys up! Will this be ok for picky females. I will not turn no cd on anymore! He should do more than that cd! I just heard him in the air not to long ago! So here I go again! A male and no female! Pretty crazy one yr. ago today like clock work!
I will have to name him but will have to get to know him a little better!!! Good luck to al!
I won't call this one Fred!!!
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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!
Sharon from southern Illinois
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madattiver
- Posts: 263
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:44 pm
- Location: SK/Saskatoon
- Martin Colony History: 12 unit North Star + 4 gourds
2014 - 1 pair
2015 - 1 pair
2016 - 1 pair + 1 sub male (until my female died)
2017 - 6 pair
Wow Sharon!!! That is great news!!! I sure hope this is the turning point for your colony. Please keep us posted as things progress.
Adam
Fifth Year Landlord
Fifth Year Landlord
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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 !
Yabba Dabba Doo ! Why don't you just name him " Barney " ? 
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 !! Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.
Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.-
avesrun
- Posts: 1127
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:10 pm
- Location: Iowa/West Des Moines
- Martin Colony History: Home Site: 2017- 0
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
Satellite Site: 2017 (3rd season)
34 pair
Fledged- 102
My heart is racing for you and the martins Sharon. Yes. Yes. Yes.! Sounds very good.
PMCA Member
Home Site: 2012-15 visitors
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
2017-18 Zero
2019- 3 Successful Pr
2020- 21pr, fledged 76
Satellite Site: 2014 - visitors
2015 - 2 pair fledged 9
2016 - 13 pair fledged 44
2017 - 31 pair fledged 118
2018 - 44 pair 163 fledged
2019- 49 pr 219 fledged
2020- 47 pr 209 fledged
Home Site: 2012-15 visitors
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
2017-18 Zero
2019- 3 Successful Pr
2020- 21pr, fledged 76
Satellite Site: 2014 - visitors
2015 - 2 pair fledged 9
2016 - 13 pair fledged 44
2017 - 31 pair fledged 118
2018 - 44 pair 163 fledged
2019- 49 pr 219 fledged
2020- 47 pr 209 fledged
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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!
Yes i am happy something is acting interested! Now comes the hard part, getting the females interested!
I have a soft heart for the name FRED! We had cows, pigs, chicken, ect. When I was a kid on the farm! And everytime my Mom got a new cow or pig to fatten up we called him FRED! So that's why I called him FRED! But this guy is not a FRED! So Anthony Barnie just won't work either! Sorry! I have to think about this, I have to get to know him before I can name him! He's fun to watch! We'll see what tomorrow brings! Thanks for everyone's kind wishes! Good luck to you all!
I have a soft heart for the name FRED! We had cows, pigs, chicken, ect. When I was a kid on the farm! And everytime my Mom got a new cow or pig to fatten up we called him FRED! So that's why I called him FRED! But this guy is not a FRED! So Anthony Barnie just won't work either! Sorry! I have to think about this, I have to get to know him before I can name him! He's fun to watch! We'll see what tomorrow brings! Thanks for everyone's kind wishes! Good luck to you all!
Sharon from southern Illinois
I nominate "Lincoln" as the name for your new arrival. That is a name that all we Illinois landlords can be happy with, right 
In any case I hope he is the new "Fred" and can meet your expectations.
In any case I hope he is the new "Fred" and can meet your expectations.PMCA member
2011 - 1 SY pair w/ 2 HY fledged
2012 - 5 breeding pairs
2013 - 14 nesting pairs and several singles
2014 - 8 nesting pairs
2015 - 5 nesting prs w/mostly ASY parents
2011 - 1 SY pair w/ 2 HY fledged
2012 - 5 breeding pairs
2013 - 14 nesting pairs and several singles
2014 - 8 nesting pairs
2015 - 5 nesting prs w/mostly ASY parents
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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 !
Sure, Sharon, you got to take your time ! Think about what feels right. BTW, I Did Not know that Walt Disney was from Illinois !!?? Never too old to learn something new every day ! .."whistle while you work .. "
Never too old to learn something new every day ! .."whistle while you work .. " 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 !! Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.
Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.-
MichaelH
- Posts: 586
- Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:10 am
- Location: IL/Gillespie
- Martin Colony History: 2015 28 cavities 2 pairs
2016 big upgrade 56cavities 16 pairs great year
2017. 76 cavities 36 pairs
2018. 146 cavities
Congrat so happy for you makes my smile to know your hard work and dedication is paying of a great start of good things to come for you
Mick
Mick
2018 146 cavities.
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threelilkids
- Posts: 386
- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:11 pm
- Location: Denham Springs, La
- Martin Colony History: 2014 1 pair 3 hatched 3 fledged
2015 1 pair 5 hatched 5 fledged
2016 1 pair 5 hatched 4 fledged
2017 2 pair 8 hatched 8 fledged
2018 4 pair 15 hatched
OH, Sharon, So glad for you. I have the opposite problem, have a female but everytime she brings a male in, my ASY male that has been here going on his second year and has a mate, runs them off. Its ok I at least have one pair with 5 babies now. Congrats you deserve it, enjoy and good luck. Mary
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Henry Limpet
- Posts: 122
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:48 pm
- Location: IN./Howe, via the s/w side of Chicago
- Martin Colony History: Trendsetter-8. Set up in 2014 at my summer cottage, a beautiful natural inland lake in N.E. Indiana's Amish Country. T-8 is on cleared land behind my pole barn and adjacent to a farmer's field
2015: Had several flyovers in early June with 1 dedicated SYM visitor who visited each day for well over a month. He brought by a few PM "parades", with 8-12 PM's who would visit all at once, but soon leave. (Added 2 gourds to bottom of the T-8). We discovered a large (Amish) colony apx. 3/4 mile South of our T-8. We think this will eventually be our "feeder" colony.
2016: Put up a Trio G'Pa lakeside. Overall, not as much interest as 2015, likely because of our vacation to Gulf Shores, AL. in early June.
2017: Finally switched over to wheat straw. Success!! One nesting pair. Fledged 4!
2018: Zilch.
2019: Slow start, nothing observed by mid June. Wet, cold Spring a factor??
2020: Barely any sightings.
2021: Several observed high in the sky, eating. No interest so far!
Sounds like FRED told them when to arrive there, too. How are they with the wires and the utility pole that you were concerned with??
Be careful how you wish . . for wishes can come true . . be sure that every wish you make is one that's right for you!
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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 am so excited for you Sharon! 2015 is your year!!! Fill up those houses and gourds. Keep us informed, ok?
_____
Jody
_____
Jody
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John Barrow
- Posts: 982
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 4:12 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi / Sandia , Texas
Congratulations Sharon. I am so happy for you. I agree with Ed Pace, the ASY male may very well be Fred. Like people, purple martin personalities and habits change from year to year. I sincerely hope this becomes a great year for you.
~~TEAMED WITH A MARTIN GODDESS~~
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
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Mhoover
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 10:30 am
- Location: Indiana/Monticello - White County
- Martin Colony History: Started with 2 pair in 2014 - 7 eggs -7 fledged
Congratulations, Sharon. It appears that you have a fine founding male to start your colony with.
2017-5 pair
2016-4 pair- 18 hatched-18 fledged
2015-1 pair -Both ASY- 6 eggs-5 fledged
2014-2 pair- 1 ASY-M/SY-F-1 ASY pair - 7 eggs-7 fledged
PMCA Member
2016-4 pair- 18 hatched-18 fledged
2015-1 pair -Both ASY- 6 eggs-5 fledged
2014-2 pair- 1 ASY-M/SY-F-1 ASY pair - 7 eggs-7 fledged
PMCA Member
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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!
Thanks for everyone's kind words, I am very excited about today and what it could bring! He is loud and very determined! The weather was beautiful yesterday. Last yr. it was cool and nasty in May. No one stayed here last night. I really hope it is FRED. I got a SYM in 2013, ASYM in 2014, So could be FRED! It's all about enjoying them and I sure will!
Sharon from southern Illinois
Sharon,
Are your decoys on the same pole as your housing? I ask because when I was first trying, I noticed that the females didn't care for the decoys AT ALL! Once I moved them to a separate pole the females didn't mind checking things out. I'm so hoping that you get your start this year.
Are your decoys on the same pole as your housing? I ask because when I was first trying, I noticed that the females didn't care for the decoys AT ALL! Once I moved them to a separate pole the females didn't mind checking things out. I'm so hoping that you get your start this year.
Tony
2007 --- 0 2011---0 2015---4
2008 --- 0 2012---0 16-19—0
2009 --- 0 2013---1 2020—?
2010 --- 0 2014---3
2007 --- 0 2011---0 2015---4
2008 --- 0 2012---0 16-19—0
2009 --- 0 2013---1 2020—?
2010 --- 0 2014---3
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Cheryl S
- Posts: 101
- Joined: Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:26 pm
- Location: OK/Sperry/Skiatook area
- Martin Colony History: 2013 - 1 ASY pair
2014 - 18 pair
2015 - 45 pair
2016 - 82 pair
Congrats, Sharon!! I have all 10 fingers crossed that this is the start of a growing colony for you. I might cross a few toes, too.
PMCA member
98 cavities offered for 2016 -- 70 are gourds and 28 are in houses.
98 cavities offered for 2016 -- 70 are gourds and 28 are in houses.
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Larry A Kronemeyer
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 5:27 pm
- Location: Illinois/Millstadt
That's wonderful Sharon!!!!
You know it probably is your Fred, these birds can be very punctual. That's why arrival dates are always noted.
I didn't check the forum yesterday but we were thinking about you yesterday evening as we watched the martins settle in. More SYs came in yesterday, more than will be allowed to stay if our adults have anything to say about it. I chuckled and wished there was a way to lasso them and take them to you. Looks like that won't be necessary now!
It's a great feeling, isn't it.!!!
Congratulations.
You know it probably is your Fred, these birds can be very punctual. That's why arrival dates are always noted.
I didn't check the forum yesterday but we were thinking about you yesterday evening as we watched the martins settle in. More SYs came in yesterday, more than will be allowed to stay if our adults have anything to say about it. I chuckled and wished there was a way to lasso them and take them to you. Looks like that won't be necessary now!
It's a great feeling, isn't it.!!!
Congratulations.
Larry and Judy Kronemeyer
est. 1999
1-12 compartment Trendsetter and 8 gourds(crescents)
12 gourd rack (crescents)
Member PMCA
est. 1999
1-12 compartment Trendsetter and 8 gourds(crescents)
12 gourd rack (crescents)
Member PMCA