I won't call this one Fred!!!

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
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 Gobbler I have my decoys on the B&B so none on racks or houses! He was here before 6:30 this morning with a female but they take off and won't stick around long. He takes out after them though and brings them back! Time will tell! It is a SYM so no FRED as of this morning! He was chasing crows while ago! He is a lot of fun to watch! Ok everyone say a pray he latches on to one! He has picked a super gourd! I will take a pic in a few days when I inch closer! I have just been showing myself at a distance. Take care and good luck to all! :grin:
Sharon from southern Illinois
Top
Jose Rodriguez
Posts: 692
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:34 am
Location: FL/Belleview

That is wonderful news Sharon! A BIG congratulations to you! You are definitely on your way now! :grin:
PMCA Member
"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
Top
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 :-).

That's great Sharon. I'm crossing my fingers for you! 8)
PMCA Member
_____
Top
Dan G
Posts: 446
Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
Location: PA/Bellefonte
Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.

I think i would named him or the pair, Lewis and or Clark. They were explorers and pioneers. That's what all us wannabes are looking for!!
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
Top
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.

Sharon, I am so happy for you! :grin: So glad you are starting with a SMART bird! I hope your "founding father" brings you joy.... And lots more Martins!
Please keep us informed with updates. 8)
~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.
Top
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!

Thank you, I will keep you informed! He is still bringng them in and nothing stays!

Henry I won't know if my change worked until he gets a female to stay!

I am trying to ignore them and just going about my work! I wish I knew what those females are after! I have really nice large gourds and nice size compartments in the houses! I guess it's all about safety and they are hesitant when no other martins are around. One of them has to make a move surely!

It's busy around here with people picking up and talking and sawing and hammering. Oh patience right!!! :grin:
Sharon from southern Illinois
Top
Steve Kroenke
Posts: 4342
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:49 pm
Location: Louisiana/Logansport

Hey Sharon,

Thanks for sharing that great news with us! We are all hoping this is the beginning of your purple martin colony! You still have time to attract breeding martins to your colony.

Male martins aren't as picky as those picky females! And the females select the male and his territory. But you have good quality housing and you keep out starlings and sparrows so that will be a big incentive for those picky females.

Please keep us posted on how things go.

Again, we are real happy for you!

Steve
PMCA Member
300+ pairs of martins each season
Top
ltwalsh
Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:25 pm
Location: Sun City Center, FL

Your hard work is paying off.

Congratulations!!!
2022 starting new colony in Sun City Center, FL
Top
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!

I have to tell you he is bringing one in every 15 min. or so. I turned the song bird side on so it may make them feel the yard is a happy bird haven! She was looking in gourds! When she leaves he takes out after her tail!

I want to say I respect each and everyone's suggestion on here. I would not be where I am at today without you all! Even if it doesn't happen again this year I get to enjoy a little part of it! I am very grateful! I am halfway with a sure fire male! :)

And also I am praying for our group of wannbe's so hard! When that bird showed up yesterday I dropped to my knees and had a crying session! I know how bad you want it, so bad it hurts! To think a creature can affect us this much is crazy! But they are so beautiful and majestic it tugs at your heart! And no I am not ashamed to say that at all! I have been out there at 7:30 one evening digging up a pole and moving it because I would get a aw ah moment and go get R done! Like Jody said to me one day! I would stand on my head and whistle Dixie if I knew it would help!!!! You all have a great day!! :grin:
Sharon from southern Illinois
Top
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

Awesome post Sharon! I think everyone on the forum is praying your guy gets a girlie. He's working overtime if he's bringing one in that frequently. He'll find one that thinks your site is the Ritz and then you will grow. It's just getting that first one to stay,,,we know about that, don't we? 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
_____
Jody
Top
John Evans
Posts: 323
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:56 pm
Location: Cocoa Beach Florida

Congratulations Sharon.. You mentioned in an earlier post one was chasing crows. I think that's a good sign.. Defending his territory against predators.
Not too many days ago I had several lone males trying to find mates. Figured they would have given up after a bit. But, when the weather finally broke last weekend many males and females arrived.

You are on your way!
PMCA Member
Top
BW Fowler
Posts: 156
Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2015 6:01 pm
Location: TX/Buda

Sharon,

Sounds like this male may be your lucky charm. I'm hoping for the best.

Good luck!
BW
Top
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!

No sign of nothing this morning! Maybe because of rain coming? .

My luck a owl got him sitting in a tree last night! :shock:
Sharon from southern Illinois
Top
John Evans
Posts: 323
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:56 pm
Location: Cocoa Beach Florida

Hopefully just out chasing down a lady.. Were you up at dawn? Sometimes they sneak away and return later in the day..
PMCA Member
Top
ltwalsh
Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:25 pm
Location: Sun City Center, FL

Think positive and DO NOT give up. There are Martin's out there who need you and your site..... I am positive of that.
2022 starting new colony in Sun City Center, FL
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Purple Martin Forum”