The Floodgates Opened

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eyeamtheman
Posts: 633
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 3:21 pm
Location: Quitman, La
Martin Colony History: Super colony

Based on what I saw this evening, what was apparently the start of a late migration has increased dramatically. In two days time I went from 5 or 6 to 20-25 this evening. Rain is forecast the next couple days then sunny and mild several days with what I would say above average temperatures. Nothing close to the weather this time last year, which no doubt killed many early migrants throughout northern Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. Seems I had about 20 when that started and saved about half of them.
I'll give credit to the bold male starling that tried to slip in this evening, but the poor thing didn't fare too well when that .22 short pierced his chest.
(evil grin)
Johnny
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Steve Kroenke
Posts: 4342
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:49 pm
Location: Louisiana/Logansport

Hey Johnny,

We had more martins arrive today, too! New males moving into their old gourds/house compartments and fights are already happening! We surely have 50+ martins in our two colonies right now.

My heart "aches" for that poor male starling! Starlings will definitely try to roost in martin housing and I have shot starlings in the evenings, too.

Glad your martin numbers are increasing!

Steve
PMCA Member
300+ pairs of martins each season
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Todd Wright
Posts: 222
Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 12:16 pm
Location: Kilgore(Liberty City),Texas

I went from 2 to 5 today so they are definitely on the move.
Todd Wright
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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

Same here, noticed that we are having a few come in every day
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Stephen Cruse
Posts: 168
Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 12:17 pm
Location: Texas, Hitchcock and Rocksprings

Same for me on the Texas coast. Went from 1 48 hours ago to over 10 today. Seemed like a new bird was coming in every couple of hours today.
2014 - 72 pairs
2015 - 127 pairs
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TONY FREDERICKSON - TEXAS
Posts: 504
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2003 9:35 pm
Location: Texas/Seguin
Martin Colony History: 3000+SUC. PAIRS; 13,500+ FLEDGLINGS IN 25 YEARS. Attempting colony reduction, 77 cavities, Troyer gourds.

GLAD TO HEAR MY FRIENDS 8) The same has happened here in Seguin, Tx. We went from 4 to 7 to 15 to 20 Martins consecutively through 22 Feb 16. Other family members locally are reporting large increases. :grin: Keep the faith..

TONY
TONY FREDERICKSON
SEGUIN, TX
:)
13,500+ FLEDGLINGS IN 24 YEARS
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James Strickland FL
Posts: 2249
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:04 pm
Location: Reidsville NC
Martin Colony History: 2017 Had a lot visitors no Matins nesting, hoping 2018 will be different.
2018 Had 1 pair
2019 had 30 pair

My numbers have not increased. They just stopped on me. I know that the winds have not been good, but we are going to have some good southern winds for the next 2 days.
PMCA MEMBER
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tor
Posts: 279
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:35 pm
Location: Marlboro County, SC
Martin Colony History: 2025 Capacity: 96
72 Hor / Vert Troyers on 3 X Super-24's.
24 Hor Troyers on Gemini-24.

2026: We'll see.
2025: 92 pair - Fledge: 405
2024: 72 pair - Fledge: 356
2023: 72 pair - Fledge: 342
2022: 72 pair - Fledge: 322
2021: 71 pair - Fledge: 325
2020: 72 pair - Fledge: 336
2019: 70 pair - Fledge: 320
2018: 60 pair - Fledge: 297
2017: 36 pair - Fledge: 189
2016: 16 pair - Fledge: 79
2015: 4 pair - Fledge: 21

Hope they stay south just a little longer, as we are still having cold WX up here in the PEE DEE of SC.
Tor
Marlboro County
South Carolina

Purple Martins Of South Carolina
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Stingray
Posts: 426
Joined: Wed May 11, 2005 9:45 pm
Location: Plantation/Florida
Martin Colony History: 2005 to present

eyeamtheman wrote:Based on what I saw this evening, what was apparently the start of a late migration has increased dramatically. In two days time I went from 5 or 6 to 20-25 this evening. Rain is forecast the next couple days then sunny and mild several days with what I would say above average temperatures. Nothing close to the weather this time last year, which no doubt killed many early migrants throughout northern Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. Seems I had about 20 when that started and saved about half of them.
I'll give credit to the bold male starling that tried to slip in this evening, but the poor thing didn't fare too well when that .22 short pierced his chest.
(evil grin)
That's awesome!! Congrats!!
Looking forward to an increase like yours!!



James Strickland FL wrote:My numbers have not increased. They just stopped on me. I know that the winds have not been good, but we are going to have some good southern winds for the next 2 days.
Howdy neighbor,
Good luck to you and all landlords! :)
I had been stuck with only six birds until tonight when there were nine. Looking forward to a great season.
C'mon martins!!
Have a great season!


Plantation, Florida
PMCA member
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James Strickland FL
Posts: 2249
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:04 pm
Location: Reidsville NC
Martin Colony History: 2017 Had a lot visitors no Matins nesting, hoping 2018 will be different.
2018 Had 1 pair
2019 had 30 pair

I think that I did get a few more to show up last night.
PMCA MEMBER
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