It's just about martin time in the north.

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Doug Martin - PA
Posts: 1988
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.

After nearly a 3 week delay in spring due to unseasonably cold weather and snow storms, it all changes in a few days.

A strong southerly flow later this week will bring warm temperatures and the first arrivals to many areas in the northern states.

Friday and Saturday look very promising for my first arrival of the season here in Pennsylvania. There is a chance in the next few days.... but right now it looks like one of those years that there will be more scout reports in a few day period Friday and Saturday than usual.

Can't wait for that first arrival. I am ready and waiting. Last year at this time I already had my first arrival.

Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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ToyinPA
Posts: 2227
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
Location: PA/Avis
Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.

In my area, from Friday forward 10 days, they call for rain & freezing rain all but 1 day. Temps will be better, but there sure won't be many good feeding days, if any arrive here. We had another 2 inches of snow last night.

I'll raise my houses & open 2 rooms just in case any do find their way home this early.

Toy in PA
PMCA Member
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birdbrat
Posts: 261
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:20 pm
Location: Ohio/SouthSalem

The martins haven't been this late at my site since 2013. If it wasn't for the fact that all Ohio landlords (except 1) were still waiting I would be worried. It seems the martins have stopped off at the Ohio River.
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Dave Reynolds
Posts: 2441
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged

Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged

I think you are right on the "a little late" arrivals.. They would have been here a few days ago.. But the birds seem to have learned to hold up in this weather... and I'm glad they did. If only they wait about one more week before the flood gates open up and Kentucky and Tennessee start making more reports.. Southeastern Ohio will get them shortly.. Good luck everyone..

Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
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falconer
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2017 8:46 pm
Location: United States

I'm in south-central North Carolina and have had 20-30 since at least March 11 on a local 350-acre lake. There have been impressive insect emergence on all but the coldest of days so maybe the northward migrants are delayed due to the excellent southern eats!

George Andrews
Indian Trail, NC
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John Evans
Posts: 323
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:56 pm
Location: Cocoa Beach Florida

No martins here either. Just a bit behind schedule here My earliest 2 report years were march 15. I am wondering if the earliest arriving birds survived the last couple of cold snaps. The last big front pushed into the deep south. Maybe that's why there are sporadic arrival reports in Kentucky and just 2 so far in Ohio..Both along the Ohio River valley..
PMCA Member
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Dave Reynolds
Posts: 2441
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged

Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged

John Evans wrote:No martins here either. Just a bit behind schedule here My earliest 2 report years were march 15. I am wondering if the earliest arriving birds survived the last couple of cold snaps. The last big front pushed into the deep south. Maybe that's why there are sporadic arrival reports in Kentucky and just 2 so far in Ohio..Both along the Ohio River valley..
John --- The Second report in Reedsville, Southeastern, Ohio is from a friend of mind.. She also posted pictures of her new arrival.. So glad they have started to move up the Ohio River and into our area.. Maybe a little late, but that's ok... The weather is changing for the better in a few more days,, So you will be hearing them shortly.. Good Luck..

Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
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Mudflap
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:07 am
Location: SE Ohio
Martin Colony History: 2011: Set up 16 room S&K house.
2012: nothing.
2013: lookers but no takers.
2014: lookers but no takers.
2015: 3 pair nested, 7 fledged.
2016: second year: S&K house is now an 8 room house and added a separate pole with eight Troyer Vertical Gourds. 13 pair nested, 50 fledged.
2017: third year: S&K house is now a 6 room house (blocked attic access). Same Troyer gourds.

They aren't in Hocking County (OH) yet but we have the welcome mat out. In 2016 we saw our first the last day of March.
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John Evans
Posts: 323
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:56 pm
Location: Cocoa Beach Florida

Dave , Mudflap and Brenda,
As hard as it is for me to say... I'm glad they aren't here yet... Less stress for them and way less stress for me the worry wart!

My gut is telling me I'll see some martins here late this week. Tree swallows have been here since Feb. 19 . Way early. Left for a few days last week, back today.

John
PMCA Member
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Mudflap
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:07 am
Location: SE Ohio
Martin Colony History: 2011: Set up 16 room S&K house.
2012: nothing.
2013: lookers but no takers.
2014: lookers but no takers.
2015: 3 pair nested, 7 fledged.
2016: second year: S&K house is now an 8 room house and added a separate pole with eight Troyer Vertical Gourds. 13 pair nested, 50 fledged.
2017: third year: S&K house is now a 6 room house (blocked attic access). Same Troyer gourds.

John Evans wrote:Dave , Mudflap and Brenda,
As hard as it is for me to say... I'm glad they aren't here yet... Less stress for them and way less stress for me the worry wart!

My gut is telling me I'll see some martins here late this week. Tree swallows have been here since Feb. 19 . Way early. Left for a few days last week, back today.

John
I agree about being glad the PM's aren't here yet. The weather has been gloomy and nasty and cold and snowy off and on over this way.

We had also noticed the Tree Swallows were here, feuded with the Bluebirds for about a week or so, then we don't know where they went. We usually have at least a couple pair fussing about who will end up owning the yard but it's early in the season and we aren't worried about it.

We're sure looking forward to the 2017 season!
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Doug Martin - PA
Posts: 1988
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.

Just noticed that a new report came in clear up near Toledo Ohio.

Looks like a first time report from the person and the town of Wauseon though.

Friday Saturday and Sunday still looks great for a very big move north. Perhaps a few will filter in prior to that in Ohio and west however.

Doug

Add: Also one came in in WV too.
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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John Evans
Posts: 323
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:56 pm
Location: Cocoa Beach Florida

Wow very early from Wauseon. Saw a Mays Lick Kentucky South of the Ohio river. If you look at the arrival map there is lots of unreported geography between the northern most sightings and the "bulk" of the current reports. An unusual migration year at first glance.
PMCA Member
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AkitaSan
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:10 am
Location: Michigan, Southeast

Hey guys, that Martin in Wauseon, Ohio was probably mine stopping to rest before coming on into Michigan. Just kidding, although they are due any day. This waiting and watching is painful; let's get on with it.
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Bigbob1610
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 5:23 pm
Location: Wauseon, ohio
Martin Colony History: 2015 2 pair.
2016 8 pair
2017 26 pair.
2018 pair
12 horizontal troyer's
12 vertical troyer's
12 room Trio house gemini gourd rack

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Bigbob1610
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 5:23 pm
Location: Wauseon, ohio
Martin Colony History: 2015 2 pair.
2016 8 pair
2017 26 pair.
2018 pair
12 horizontal troyer's
12 vertical troyer's
12 room Trio house gemini gourd rack

This is the martin from wauseon ohio!!!!! Good luck everyone
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AkitaSan
Posts: 20
Joined: Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:10 am
Location: Michigan, Southeast

Bob, yep, that looks just like mine. Never doubted you for a minute. I'm just over the border and last year had the earliest ever on March 17. Hoped they would not repeat this year as the weather was dreadful. This week end looks very good. Best of luck.
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John Evans
Posts: 323
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:56 pm
Location: Cocoa Beach Florida

Very nice Bob.. Thanks for posting and welcome to the forum!

John
PMCA Member
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Doug Martin - PA
Posts: 1988
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.

Awesome, Thanks Bob.

Today is a nice spring day here with winds out of the northwest however. The first PA bird came in yesterday as well. I am usually a day or two after him. I'm at work today but it sure looks like a Martin day in PA.

Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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Sue P
Posts: 395
Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 12:10 pm
Location: Morgantown, WV

Well, I can see where the martins are coming in to southern West Virginia now. Our first bird last year arrived on March 15, which is a bit too early. But now I see where Chris Haines in Waynesburg, Pa has them as well, so they are probably going to arrive here any day. I have the T-14 ready as well as 2,000 crickets. I don't trust the weather at all. Best of luck, everyone. I guess our busy and fun times are about to begin . :grin:
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Bigbob1610
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Mar 20, 2017 5:23 pm
Location: Wauseon, ohio
Martin Colony History: 2015 2 pair.
2016 8 pair
2017 26 pair.
2018 pair
12 horizontal troyer's
12 vertical troyer's
12 room Trio house gemini gourd rack

Well the male martin didn't stay, thinking he went north over to michigan. Funny how your emotions get so involved over a bird. :cry: Good luck to everyone
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