My *second* first year trying

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tjm80
Posts: 39
Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2016 12:27 pm
Location: Canton, MS

I'm located in Central Mississippi, I put up 4 of the PMCA plastic gourds, and had a couple of male SY martins hang around for about 3-4 weeks in April/May, apparently they never found a lady martin to join them. I occasionally see them checking out my gourds.

But yesterday (June 2) I saw about 8 martins (sounded like 80 lol) and 2 were ASY males going nuts around my gourds. I've seen some ASY activity since my SY males left, but mostly peek-a-boo activity. I'm wondering if the 5-6 sub adults that I saw yesterday were possibly this year's babies scoping out places for next year?

I figure it's getting too late in the season for any to start nesting now, they normally leave around July according to my dad.

I have a neighbor about a quarter of a mile away with a decent sized colony for what that's worth.

Sorry for the low quality pictures, it was taken with my iphone.
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2016 - 4 gourds, 2 unlucky SY bachelors
2017 - 4 gourds, added a T14. 3 SY pairs, 3 nests, 14 eggs, 14 hatched, 13 nestlings.
2018 - as of April 10, approximately 16 Martins, mostly ASY, a few SY. No nests yet.
EarlG
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 12:36 pm
Location: Lindale, TX

I would guess that you are right. Some of your neighbor's PM's checking out your place. They will remember . Looks like you may be on your way to a colony next year. Good Luck.
2025 32 Pr 164 Eggs 141 Hatched 135 Fledged
2024 30 Pr 163 Eggs 151 Hatched 138 Fledged
2023 25 Pr 131 E 126 H 125 F
2022 24 Pr 134 E 127 H 123 F
2021 24 Pr 136 E 121 H 108 F
2020 24 Pr 126 E 114 H 112 F
2019 24 Pr 130 E 102 H 83 F
2018 20 Pr 121 Eggs 87 Hatched 86 Fledged
2017 16 Pr 93 Eggs 87 Hatched 86 Fledged
2016 23 Pr 122 Eggs107 Hatched 101 Fledged
2015 16 Pr 82 Eggs 70 Hatched 68 Fledged
2014 11 Pr 38 Fledged
2013 1 Pair 5 Fledged
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

It may be time to think about expanding your rack to handle 8 gourds for next year. It certainly appears that there is some definite interest in your offering.
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
Luv Ya Purple
Posts: 77
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:44 pm
Location: SE Texas
Martin Colony History: 2012 - 2014 - 0 pair
2015 - 1 pair
2016 - 5 pairs

tjm80 wrote:I have a neighbor about a quarter of a mile away with a decent sized colony for what that's worth.
That's worth a lot. Being that close makes it easier to get them.
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!

Luv Ya Purple wrote:
tjm80 wrote:I have a neighbor about a quarter of a mile away with a decent sized colony for what that's worth.
That's worth a lot. Being that close makes it easier to get them.
I would like to know just how close your neighbor with the martins are??? Thanks
Sharon from southern Illinois
tjm80
Posts: 39
Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2016 12:27 pm
Location: Canton, MS

taxidermy lady wrote:
Luv Ya Purple wrote:
tjm80 wrote:I have a neighbor about a quarter of a mile away with a decent sized colony for what that's worth.
That's worth a lot. Being that close makes it easier to get them.
I would like to know just how close your neighbor with the martins are??? Thanks
As the crow (or martin!) flies, I'd say about 1500 feet or so, looking on google maps.
2016 - 4 gourds, 2 unlucky SY bachelors
2017 - 4 gourds, added a T14. 3 SY pairs, 3 nests, 14 eggs, 14 hatched, 13 nestlings.
2018 - as of April 10, approximately 16 Martins, mostly ASY, a few SY. No nests yet.
tjm80
Posts: 39
Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2016 12:27 pm
Location: Canton, MS

Mhoover wrote:It may be time to think about expanding your rack to handle 8 gourds for next year. It certainly appears that there is some definite interest in your offering.
I plan on adding at least 4 more next year. My goal this year was to have something up to at least help for next year, but we just moved in and had other stuff going on at the time.
2016 - 4 gourds, 2 unlucky SY bachelors
2017 - 4 gourds, added a T14. 3 SY pairs, 3 nests, 14 eggs, 14 hatched, 13 nestlings.
2018 - as of April 10, approximately 16 Martins, mostly ASY, a few SY. No nests yet.
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