after 15 years, no Martins this year???

[Dan Mueller]

I have had Purple Martins every year for over 15 years. I have a small 8 gourd setup in my back yard. We have always had 5 or 6 of the gourds occupied by Martins. They have always arrived between April 15 and April 25. So far this year not a single sighting. And we have about 5 neighbors that surroud us also watching. I know that others here in South Dakota have had bird sightings for quite a while already. I'm concerned that our birds are not returning after 15 years. Anyone else in a similar situation? We did have a fairly big snowfall on April 1st. But that is all melted, and it was 70 degrees today (Thursday May 4th). I know that I can do nothing but wait. We currently have 2 of the 8 holes open. We do NOT have much of a sparrow problem due to killing them off for 2 years. So don't know what's up. Did ours die in Brazil??? Really disappointed.

[Archer]

There is bad weather south of us, and think that it is holding up migration. I'm still hopefull but my patience is wearing thin.

[MichaelH]

Hopefully they are just very late a lot of people are seeing late arrivals this year so will keep my fingers crossed for you ,I've normally got quite a few second years here by now an only have two females one male as far as I know , good luck
Mick

[JRow]

I think your martins are still moving north. I have several pair that came in before the last cold snap when it was in the low 20s last week. Maybe more will arrive this week.

[Dan Mueller]

A friend stopped by and said to me, "look outside." I said, "Did the Purple Martin’s arrive?" He said “no", but look at the moon tonight. So we both walked out onto the deck. And while we were looking at the moon, we saw 2 Purple Martin’s circling our gourds. We were both so surprised and excited. They are usually here 3 weeks earlier than this. We were very worried that our birds weren’t coming this year, after 15 years. I am absolutely ecstatic right now. For me, they are the symbol of Resurrection and renewal. Perhaps the birds knew more than we. Last week was the snow, and no insects. This week it’s like summer and insects all over. I don’t know how they figure it all out, but they have never failed. 16 years in a row. I now have to report the sighting on the Purple Martin forums. I report the sighting every year on the national website, along with all the other “Martin” people in the USA.

Dan Mueller

[Jim 1990]

That is great news!!!!

[JRow]

Told you they were on their way!
I'm glad they were late.

[Archer]

Great news! Mine showed up too, bout 15 here today!

[mayboy]

I've only seen one female Purple Martin circle over our place here in Berea, KY. Something that seems out of the ordinary, though, is that Juncos (snow birds) are still here. I don't recall seeing them around this late in the spring.