Is anyone in the midwest on schedule as far as migration goes?

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flyin-lowe
Posts: 3788
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
Location: Indiana/Henry Co.

Every since I started trying to attract martins (around 2005) I have always had ASY reports by now. I moved a few years ago and am trying to start a new colony. Last year I had an SY pair fledge 4 plus several other SY's that stayed all summer but never nested. I was hopeful to get at least one or two ASY's this year from what I had last year. Looking at the scout report and the little I have read many people in this part of the country are seeing very slow returns. Curious how many of you have most of your ASY's back or are there a lot of you out there who are still waiting. Any other year by now I would assume the ASY"s were not returning, but this year I am holding a little hope they still could show up. Time will tell....
2026 HOSP 26
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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Insectivore Villa
Posts: 131
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2016 4:55 pm
Location: Blenheim, Ontario

Still slow all over, not exactly sure what my other purple martin "friends" have as I missed our last meeting, but from what I see around me, not many ASY martins. I have about fourteen now, I should be pushing thirty or more, but I am not overly concerned yet...it would be nice to have them, but it is still not really warm here. Keep the faith, they will show. If your birds were SY's last year, they normally would be late arriving ASY's this year. The first birds that arrive at established sites are the patriarchs and matriarchs, the older ones usually, at least that is my experience. Good luck, it will happen.
Henry W.
2015, 28 pair, 102 fledged
2016, 39 pair, 154 fledged
2017, 44 pair, 164 fledged
2018, 68 pair, 218 fledged
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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

I had an ASYM scout show up on 4-7 and stay close by for about six days with another ASYM showing up about four days after the first one but they both left a couple days later and have not returned. Neither have any other martins.
A nearby colony whose martins show up within a day (before or after) of when I get mine has only an adult pair at the present time.
Still waiting and hoping.
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
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pmartinlover2
Posts: 521
Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:37 pm
Location: IL/Hillsboro
Martin Colony History: 2011 Home site--1 SY pair--2 fledged
2016 Satellite Site---4 pair--19 eggs laid--17 hatched--16 fledged
2017 Satellite Site--8 pair--37 eggs laid--34 hatched--34 fledged
2018 11 pair--fledged 60
2019 20 pair-fledged 94
2020 23pair-fledged 108

I'm in central Illinois and had 4 pair last year. I'm thinking not all of the original 8 made it back. Martins returned 4/2/17. I have seen 4 ASY males and 2 ASY females for sure. It's a satellite site so I'm only there a couple hours a day and could be missing a lot. I'll know more when they start nesting, but I won't complain as others have had fewer return. Hopefully they'll find us sometime soon.
_____
Jody
Jody in Central Illinois
Landlord in 2016
2016—4 pr fledged 16
2017—8 pr fledged 34
2018—11 pr fledged 60
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John Evans
Posts: 323
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:56 pm
Location: Cocoa Beach Florida

Slow here is Southern Ohio. Hosted around 38 pairs last year ( I have 48 gourds) Not even at 50% occupancy from last year. If I don't see a nice influx in the next week or so of more ASY's then I will be concerned. My first arrivals were later than usual but the weather was bad.

Looking at the SY progress it appears they are taking there time heading north. I've had SY's arrive around now in the past.

So if you are waiting on birds be patient, it's been a strange migration. Hopefully something horrific hasn't happened.

John
PMCA Member
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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!

Yeah I hope not either John! I'm busted again if something horrific happened! It seems it was a great hatch for a lot of people last year! We will be having another couple days of rain this week and weekend! Nature knows more about what the long range forecast is than us! Good luck to everyone waiting for their birdies! :)
Sharon from southern Illinois
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MaryanneKaht IL
Posts: 15
Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2016 2:34 pm
Location: Spring Grove IL
Martin Colony History: Active colony of purple martins at this location since 2002.
We have 2 Trio converted Castles + one 8 compartment gourd rack and one 12 compartment gourd rack. 2025 summary: Best year ever! Fledged 100+ purple martins with zero sparrows at colony site this year!

Devastated here so far in extreme northern Illinois with migration this year! So far only 8 ASY birds at our colony!...Weather has certainly been a factor, but I am afraid something more serious has happened! :-(
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flyin-lowe
Posts: 3788
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
Location: Indiana/Henry Co.

I wander if anyone with the PMCA has any input. I am assuming if there was some major kill off last fall or in Brazil someone would have known about it.
2026 HOSP 26
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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Thais G
Posts: 93
Joined: Mon May 05, 2014 6:37 pm
Location: CT/Darien
Martin Colony History: Started at unsuitable location in 2008. Many lessons learned since. Two tentative locations: Rogers International School and the "Fish Church" (downtown.) One pair in 2015; no fledglings though. No pairs 2016.

They are late to the Northeast too. But so is Spring... We have had cold and rainy season throughout the last weeks with the exception of one or two nice days. The buds and flowers are late too.

Unlike last year that we got many sunny days, then they were all hit by terrible weather (and many died :-( ) This year the weather has been somewhat constantly cold and drizzly. I guess that is better even if it raises our anxiety level - at least if they are late, they are likely doing well!

I trust the birds know what they are doing - no flowers, no insects, no food - I guess they hang back.... at least I hope that is what is going on!

I agree no need for alarm until later in the season. But can't help but worry just a bit.... too much... All these pesticides... :-(
Thais Gherardi
Wannabe Landlord in Stamford, CT (2 tentative sites):
- Rogers International School (S&K barn since 2013; Alamo House installed 2016)
- "Fish Church"/downtown Stamford (Alamo House installed 2016)
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belpre gary
Posts: 43
Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:11 pm
Location: OH/Belpre

I'm in southeastern Ohio and I have about half of what I should have at this time of year .
Second year !
Ist year , S&K house and 6 BO9 gourds . 2 pair fledged 7

2014 1- T-10 w/4 B11's under all w/tunnels
6 BO9's w/tunnels
1 S&K house w/6 LG Compartments
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mclifton
Posts: 25
Joined: Tue Feb 12, 2008 2:32 pm
Location: Howden, Manitoba (Winnipeg)

from southern Manitoba. I'm glad they are not back yet here. Snow on ground, freezing overnight temps and wet. Hope they wait a bit.
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4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

Sorry about the delayed migration further north.
Very few vacancies here in Collierville, TN.
Better get ready further north. Here they come.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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joyjazz
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 3:13 pm
Location: MN/Ceylon
Martin Colony History: Have had Martins for over 50 years

This is from South Central MN only a mile from the Iowa Border. Saw one Martin Apr 21st, I usually start with about 11, I've opened about 1/3 of my Martin house opening up thinking that I've just missed them. Now tonight it's supposed to be 29 degrees here, so could it be that it's just too cold yet? I know other parts of MN have had sighting of them even earlier. My birds have been coming here for over 50 years....I'm missing them already. No encroachment of trees and no hawks.
Would appreciate any replies from other landlords in southern MN northern IA if they are in similar circumstances. Thank you in advance.
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Louise Chambers
Site Admin
Posts: 6208
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Just responding to having one SY pair last year - the odds that one or both will return are somewhere between 40-60%, from what I remember on return rates from studies of banded martins. In Pennsylvania, I had perfect location, hosted one SY pair one year out of seven. I was halfway between two big colonies -the Troyers to the south and PMCA site to the north, and I think many birds ended up there rather than at new site.

Young martins have a lower return rate than adults or subadults. My site fledged only one that year, after bad cold snap in early July killed its siblings. But she was seen at the Erie roost a few years later, so she nested somewhere in the area. My subadults did not return as adults.

LOTS of migrants arriving and heading north though, so hang in there.
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John Evans
Posts: 323
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:56 pm
Location: Cocoa Beach Florida

Hi Louise, happy retirement! I just did at the beginning of the year. Very nice tribute in the update.
Thanks for all you do for all of our feathered friends.
Enjoy, and remember every day is a Saturday!

John
PMCA Member
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JRow
Posts: 52
Joined: Sat Mar 18, 2017 2:23 pm
Location: Eastern South Dakota
Martin Colony History: 2017--super 24 gourd rack with a mix of Troyer horizontals and natural gourds

PMCA member

joyjazz wrote:This is from South Central MN only a mile from the Iowa Border. Saw one Martin Apr 21st, I usually start with about 11, I've opened about 1/3 of my Martin house opening up thinking that I've just missed them. Now tonight it's supposed to be 29 degrees here, so could it be that it's just too cold yet? I know other parts of MN have had sighting of them even earlier. My birds have been coming here for over 50 years....I'm missing them already. No encroachment of trees and no hawks.
Would appreciate any replies from other landlords in southern MN northern IA if they are in similar circumstances. Thank you in advance.
I'm about 30 miles north of you as far as latitude. Only a handful of birds have been through. I had several pairs come in last night. 28 degrees last night. The next few nights won't be warmer. I hope the others take their time moving north.
Last edited by JRow on Thu Apr 27, 2017 8:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
~Jen

2017-- 23 pair with 99 eggs: 81 hatched, 80 fledged.
PMCA member
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BioJoe
Posts: 188
Joined: Tue Mar 03, 2015 12:18 pm
Location: PA/Erie

flyin-lowe wrote:I wander if anyone with the PMCA has any input. I am assuming if there was some major kill off last fall or in Brazil someone would have known about it.
We haven't had any reports of major die-offs anywhere in the summer or winter range. Reports from farther south in the range suggest that the migration is delayed, but colonies are still filling up. Here at the PMCA's research HQ, we are experiencing the same delay as other colonies across the range.

The fact that martins from any particular colony have different migration timing, use different routes, and spread themselves out across the wintering range makes any one weather(or other) event unlikely to eliminate a majority of a specific colony.
PMCA Pres/CEO
Erie, PA
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flyin-lowe
Posts: 3788
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
Location: Indiana/Henry Co.

I had an ASY male and female touch down this afternoon. I went out and lowered the rack and opened a few cavities for them and they flew off. It is cool and windy here but nothing that they can't survive. Hopefully at least one of them are from last year and plan to stick around.
2026 HOSP 26
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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handyman315
Posts: 300
Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 11:03 am
Location: SW Ohio
Martin Colony History: Colony established May 20, 2017 after three unsuccessful years. Persistent and aggressive Tree Swallows plagued the site, but beyond learning - and practicing - to control them, was the return in 2017 of a 2016-SY-M previously unable to find a mate. As a handsome ASY-M, he brought along two females and a swagger that soon put the Tree Swallow issue to rest. As the anchor pair, he and his mate hatched all six of their eggs into fat and healthy babies into what settled in to be a three-pair, flourishing new colony with up to 11 birds total, including 3 SY-M trouble makers.

Still trying to establish a PM colony here just north of Cincinnati. In prior three years have seen many visitors by now, including several ASYs, with a number staying around for several hours, even a day or more. Despite more watching than ever this year, have seen ONLY one ASY-M about three weeks ago, so briefly that I wonder now if it were imagined.

No panic (yet), just a sober realization of one fact, e.g., this year is different. :???:
2023-42 Nests, 197 Eggs/Babies
2022-48 Nests Fledged 203
2021-43 Nests Fledged 185
2020-31 Nests Fledged 133, three early deaths due to cold & rain
2019-19 Nests Fledged 84
2018-11 Nests Fledged 48, ASY-M Arrived April 6, Despite Snow & Cold, Joined Soon by Mate & Two Adult Pairs
2017-3 Nests Fledged 13, FIRST-YEAR LANDLORD! Resident SY-M from 2016 Returned (as ASY-M) on May 20. At Least 11 Adult Residents
2016 Late-Arriving SYs, Resident Lone SY-M
2015-14 Many Visits
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joyjazz
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 3:13 pm
Location: MN/Ceylon
Martin Colony History: Have had Martins for over 50 years

joyjazz wrote:This is from South Central MN only a mile from the Iowa Border. Saw one Martin Apr 21st, I usually start with about 11, I've opened about 1/3 of my Martin house opening up thinking that I've just missed them. Now tonight it's supposed to be 29 degrees here, so could it be that it's just too cold yet? I know other parts of MN have had sighting of them even earlier. My birds have been coming here for over 50 years....I'm missing them already. No encroachment of trees and no hawks.
Would appreciate any replies from other landlords in southern MN northern IA if they are in similar circumstances. Thank you in advance.
Just an update...still only have 1 martin, possibly 2. This morning it was so cold I looked at him and he looked like he was very cold. Today is May 2, today I opened up all of my holes, but I'm off my usual arrival off about 10-12 Martins, sure hope they still come.
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