Put up a T14 and a gourd rack mid May and have been hoping to get some martins--playing dawn song--Today at about 11AM noticed a swallow like bird doing laps at about 150' and after a while it started checking out the gourds-not landing but doing lo passes and very vocal--within half an hour there were four circling and occasionally checking out the gourds. look like SY males but could be females. So happy as most locals have not seen martins in our area. No active colonies that I know of. Can but hope some will stay.
Have a problem that I can't fix this year--a kestrel feeding young about 50' from the gourds but the martins were perching within a few feet of their box and didn't seem bothered. I'll move the kestrel box when the young fledge.
Can but hope, but if no nesting this year maybe next.
Splice the mainbrace
Martin Haiku
Up, up, I look up.
Scanning the skies for purple,
hear them lovely birds
cheers matey!
Up, up, I look up.
Scanning the skies for purple,
hear them lovely birds
cheers matey!
2007: Nada
2008: Bupkis
2009: Kein vogal
2010: 1 lonely male visitor
2011: And he returns and leaves
2012: Cant remember what a Martin looks like
2013: The sky is crying
2014: 1 lonely male stays for 4 days
2015: 3 pair now!!
2008: Bupkis
2009: Kein vogal
2010: 1 lonely male visitor
2011: And he returns and leaves
2012: Cant remember what a Martin looks like
2013: The sky is crying
2014: 1 lonely male stays for 4 days
2015: 3 pair now!!
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Ryan
- Posts: 308
- Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:19 pm
- Location: Eganville, Ontario
- Martin Colony History: Visitors are rare. On the northern edge of the martins range.
Good luck. I'm in an area without colonies as well. I can't imagine what four is like seeing. I'm hoping to see a SY push up here soon. Thanks for reporting.
2010- 1 SY male on and off for a couple weeks
'11- 0 visits
12- 0 visits
13- 0 visits
14- 1 SY male stopped by over 2 weeks.
15- 0 visits
16- 0 visits
17- 0 visits
18- 0 visits
19- Break-through year. Had a SY Male stop in on June 7th and stay all day, every day until end of June
20 - The male didn't return. I did see a SY male do a few flyovers.
21- a couple brief visits
22-3rd rack added, all within a mile. This one at prime location, 0 visits
23- 0 visits
'11- 0 visits
12- 0 visits
13- 0 visits
14- 1 SY male stopped by over 2 weeks.
15- 0 visits
16- 0 visits
17- 0 visits
18- 0 visits
19- Break-through year. Had a SY Male stop in on June 7th and stay all day, every day until end of June
20 - The male didn't return. I did see a SY male do a few flyovers.
21- a couple brief visits
22-3rd rack added, all within a mile. This one at prime location, 0 visits
23- 0 visits
Ryan, It's so frustrating waiting for results when so much effort, time and hope are put into a project not to see the expected outcome.
At about seven PM last evening there were eight doing laps but they moved on--was watching towards dark to see if any returned but was only entertained by mosquitoes that I'm sure as time went on grew to the size of martins. The bird that came initially perched on the house for several hours calling but no takers.
Miserable day today, overcast with light rain and no sign of the martins yet. Good luck in Eganville this year.
At about seven PM last evening there were eight doing laps but they moved on--was watching towards dark to see if any returned but was only entertained by mosquitoes that I'm sure as time went on grew to the size of martins. The bird that came initially perched on the house for several hours calling but no takers.
Miserable day today, overcast with light rain and no sign of the martins yet. Good luck in Eganville this year.
Derrick;
You may have a colony in a 20 mile radius if there are SY's. I think the SY's will look around a 60 mile radius, but, from what I've read, 20 miles or less and your possibility of getting SY's goes up.
I do not have any colonies in my area. The nearest that I know of is 31 miles. I have not witnessed any SY's visit me here (that I know of).
So, I bet you may have a colony not to far from you. Good luck with your new colony....enjoy those Martins bro....!!!
You may have a colony in a 20 mile radius if there are SY's. I think the SY's will look around a 60 mile radius, but, from what I've read, 20 miles or less and your possibility of getting SY's goes up.
I do not have any colonies in my area. The nearest that I know of is 31 miles. I have not witnessed any SY's visit me here (that I know of).
So, I bet you may have a colony not to far from you. Good luck with your new colony....enjoy those Martins bro....!!!
Tim414, I have many Amish and Mennonite neighbours and many are trying in vane to get a colony. These communities seem to be telepathic--no radios telly or phones but they seem to communicate somehow. Some of the old order are allowed a phone but it's on the pole outside. If there's an active colony near they'll know. A neighbour said his cousin (They're all related) has a colony about 30 miles south so if I get time I'll go check it out. They're really into the T14's .Might put an add. in the local paper asking if anyone knows of active colonies.
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Ryan
- Posts: 308
- Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:19 pm
- Location: Eganville, Ontario
- Martin Colony History: Visitors are rare. On the northern edge of the martins range.
It looks like you have a few colonies scattered about 25-30 miles away from you.
http://ebird.org/ebird/map/purmar?neg=t ... 0&eyr=2015
Just punch your town in and zoom the map out.
http://ebird.org/ebird/map/purmar?neg=t ... 0&eyr=2015
Just punch your town in and zoom the map out.
2010- 1 SY male on and off for a couple weeks
'11- 0 visits
12- 0 visits
13- 0 visits
14- 1 SY male stopped by over 2 weeks.
15- 0 visits
16- 0 visits
17- 0 visits
18- 0 visits
19- Break-through year. Had a SY Male stop in on June 7th and stay all day, every day until end of June
20 - The male didn't return. I did see a SY male do a few flyovers.
21- a couple brief visits
22-3rd rack added, all within a mile. This one at prime location, 0 visits
23- 0 visits
'11- 0 visits
12- 0 visits
13- 0 visits
14- 1 SY male stopped by over 2 weeks.
15- 0 visits
16- 0 visits
17- 0 visits
18- 0 visits
19- Break-through year. Had a SY Male stop in on June 7th and stay all day, every day until end of June
20 - The male didn't return. I did see a SY male do a few flyovers.
21- a couple brief visits
22-3rd rack added, all within a mile. This one at prime location, 0 visits
23- 0 visits
Picked up a location of a colony on the site you suggested Ryan. Owned by a Mennonite --2 T14's maxed out. Saw several more in the area' allT14's with birds in them. Got a line on an 81yr old fellow with five posts each with 2 T14's one above the other--the bottom nests were only about 6feet up--every type of entrance you can imagine -loaded with birds. He has an active sparrow and starling trap. Went to one farm with a T14 with no birds--owner said they had a full house three yrs ago--used to tag them but were doing construction and a machine knocked over the house killing several adults and destroying eggs and chicks. House was replaced but empty last year and just visitors this year--same effect as when raided by a predator. Had a single second year male around this morning but no other activity.
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Ryan
- Posts: 308
- Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:19 pm
- Location: Eganville, Ontario
- Martin Colony History: Visitors are rare. On the northern edge of the martins range.
You did that all today?
That's a pretty good day.
That's a pretty good day.
2010- 1 SY male on and off for a couple weeks
'11- 0 visits
12- 0 visits
13- 0 visits
14- 1 SY male stopped by over 2 weeks.
15- 0 visits
16- 0 visits
17- 0 visits
18- 0 visits
19- Break-through year. Had a SY Male stop in on June 7th and stay all day, every day until end of June
20 - The male didn't return. I did see a SY male do a few flyovers.
21- a couple brief visits
22-3rd rack added, all within a mile. This one at prime location, 0 visits
23- 0 visits
'11- 0 visits
12- 0 visits
13- 0 visits
14- 1 SY male stopped by over 2 weeks.
15- 0 visits
16- 0 visits
17- 0 visits
18- 0 visits
19- Break-through year. Had a SY Male stop in on June 7th and stay all day, every day until end of June
20 - The male didn't return. I did see a SY male do a few flyovers.
21- a couple brief visits
22-3rd rack added, all within a mile. This one at prime location, 0 visits
23- 0 visits
-
Ryan
- Posts: 308
- Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:19 pm
- Location: Eganville, Ontario
- Martin Colony History: Visitors are rare. On the northern edge of the martins range.
I went out today and found a large colony that seems to be the closest to me. Really not close, as in a 66km (41mi) winding drive. Probably about 30-35 miles as the crow flies. Not optimal in distance to attract any, but they are Northeast of me, and a large colony.
This couple has had them for 30 years. Old style smaller compartments with round holes, but it works for them. It's a really nice large custom made wood house.
This couple has had them for 30 years. Old style smaller compartments with round holes, but it works for them. It's a really nice large custom made wood house.
2010- 1 SY male on and off for a couple weeks
'11- 0 visits
12- 0 visits
13- 0 visits
14- 1 SY male stopped by over 2 weeks.
15- 0 visits
16- 0 visits
17- 0 visits
18- 0 visits
19- Break-through year. Had a SY Male stop in on June 7th and stay all day, every day until end of June
20 - The male didn't return. I did see a SY male do a few flyovers.
21- a couple brief visits
22-3rd rack added, all within a mile. This one at prime location, 0 visits
23- 0 visits
'11- 0 visits
12- 0 visits
13- 0 visits
14- 1 SY male stopped by over 2 weeks.
15- 0 visits
16- 0 visits
17- 0 visits
18- 0 visits
19- Break-through year. Had a SY Male stop in on June 7th and stay all day, every day until end of June
20 - The male didn't return. I did see a SY male do a few flyovers.
21- a couple brief visits
22-3rd rack added, all within a mile. This one at prime location, 0 visits
23- 0 visits
Ryan, Shouldn't that be as the PM flies 
Weather miserable most of the day here but a few visitors about 8PM. That's quite a colony you found--great to see they're still using the old boxes--maybe hope for more as there are many older houses in out of the way places--looks quite rural so maybe the sparrows and starlings haven't found it yet.
Weather miserable most of the day here but a few visitors about 8PM. That's quite a colony you found--great to see they're still using the old boxes--maybe hope for more as there are many older houses in out of the way places--looks quite rural so maybe the sparrows and starlings haven't found it yet.Believe I've found out why I'm going to be a wannabe landlord this year--checked my super gourds and found the previous owner had a problem with the aluminium platforms that fit in the gourd entrance being loose--he had secured them with a continuous bead of silicon running it across the base of the entrance including the centre space where the bird enters.-- checked and found the entrances were up to 1/16th to 1/8th to shallow.-- was easy to fix with a knife Live and learn. Haven't had any birds since the 15th so guess that's it for this year.
I guess I can always listen to the dawn song tape, shut my eyes and imagine MY martins are singing their lungs out.
Roll on next season when I'll be better prepared.
I guess I can always listen to the dawn song tape, shut my eyes and imagine MY martins are singing their lungs out.
Roll on next season when I'll be better prepared.