Yesterday had a ASY-M show up. Today had the ASY-M bring a ASY-F, and they spent the whole day/evening at the house. They seem to really like our T14, and seem to be favoring one compartment. Spending long periods of time together in that one compartment . Set out a garbage can lid today and tossed in a few thousand Mealworms in it. Our nesting Mountain Bluebirds sure enjoyed them taking beak fulls to the young in one of our nest boxes. We operate a commercial Cricket/ Worm Farm out here. If anyone is interested in supplementary feeding song birds, we will offer a 10% discount to all PM.org forum members in Canada. Please use rebate coupon code "songbird10" upon checkout. Website is wwwsupercricket.ca. The picture of the ASY-M and the ASY-F poking her head out in our T14 below. enjoy
Great update!! I am glad you are getting some interest from the pair.. and as you said, the subbies are on their way. I hope these two stick it out so they can recruit the subbies on their way north.
Now that i know you have supercricket I really want to stop by on my way to Prince Albert. Is this right at your place by duck lake? I will probably be heading up there at some point in June... at least a few times for work.
Our Hatchery is North of Prince Albert. It's a 2 1/2 hour drive north from Saskatoon, Best bet would be to have them shipped. But you are still welcome to stop by for visit .
Thanks for the deal Brad, turns out I have ordered from you before. The crickets arrived alive as promised and the Martins ate them up as I flipped a couple of weeks ago. The shipping is a real deal killer for me, maybe you need a dealer in Manitoba
Congrats on you new arrivals, hopefully more to come.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
Small world as they say. Unfortunately Canada Post has the last say. Hopefully the discount helps a bit. If you order bulk, songbirds will eat frozen insects so you can freeze them.
Several Male and Female Martins have been here coming and going all day today. Seems to me that there is 1 ASY-M that is in and out of the house with confidence. Squawking and chasing SY females all day today, going in and out of rooms like a boss. At least he likes the house I guess.
Well it's been 9 days since my last update. Today I confirmed 3 nest building Females, with a total of 7 Martins at my T14. More are on their way. Hopefully we can get this T14 filled up. What a show these 7 Martins are putting on. Go Martins Go!
Wow!! That's really great news. Things really seem to be moving right along over at your place. Pretty impressive actually for your first year at this location.
I have half a dozen male subbys here and a couple have paired up. Nest check yesterday revealed one nest with six eggs another with 4 and a couple more with one. Lots of females at the egg shell feeder.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
Today will be the first day in a week that I will be able to watch my martins most of the day. I am hoping I am able to see a subbie at my place finally.
A week or two I will be heading to PA. I will touch base with you Brad when I finalize my trip so I can stop by.
What are you using for your egg shell feeder, and do you just offer them the shells after you cook breakfast?
Adam,
I have not done any nest checks yet, but perhaps this weekend. I see many males taking green leaves into their compartments so I am sure egg laying will start soon if it has not already. I now have 6 pairs 12 birds.
Wow.. 6 pair?? That is pretty amazing for a first year at your current location. Everyone seems to be having a great year so far, even with the poor weather we have had down south during migration.
I am thinking I will be heading up to Prince Albert this week. How can I get a hold of you so I can plan for a stop on the way home for a visit and check out your site?
Sorry I missed your question about the egg shell feeder, didn't see it till now. I cut a 2 inch slab from a log about 12 inches in diameter and mounted it on a pole about 4 feet off the ground. Any elevated platform will do. I save egg shells for a few months before the martins arrive and just keep a steady supply available for them. Tree swallows and barn swallows and other birds use it too. I also use the feeder to feed microwaved eggs to the Martins. I was able to train these martins this spring, starting with flipped crickets(from your store) switching to flipped eggs, and then transitioning to the feeder.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
I built a feeder platform a number of years ago for my northern location. Martins never stayed so I never used it. I just threw a bunch of oyster shell on the drive way seen a martin there picking at it.
. Set out a garbage can lid today and tossed in a few thousand Mealworms in it. Our nesting Mountain Bluebirds sure enjoyed them taking beak fulls to the young in one of our nest boxes. We operate a commercial Cricket/ Worm Farm out here. If anyone is interested in supplementary feeding song birds, we will offer a 10% discount to all PM.org forum members in Canada. Please use rebate coupon code "songbird10" upon checkout. Website is wwwsupercricket.ca. The picture of the ASY-M and the ASY-F poking her head out in our T14 below. enjoy 
