Kind of disappointed

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Otee977
Posts: 50
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2017 8:42 am
Location: Prescott Ar

After one pair last year after two years trying I put up a multipurpose pole , two sunset inns and four guord setup , in March , full of eggs and babies as to date , every one , well most , Bragging on the gourds so I I go with the k 18 system, two weeks later , as to date 1 egg :shock:
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Glynn B - LA
Posts: 320
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 3:59 pm
Location: Louisiana West Monroe

Quit whining, be happy that you are hosting any martin!
There are many wannabe landlord that would take your place.
If you have a good location and your martins are successful then your colony will continue to grow. Have patience...

Glynn
2019 26 pair 116 fledged
2018 20 pair 76 fledged
2017 19 pair 82 fledged
2016 13 pair 48 fledged
2015 3 pair 13 fledged
2014 1 pair 4 fledged
2013 2 pair 6 fledged
2012 0 pair
2011 0 pair

I don’t have the perfect site. One open flyway with trees within 80 ft. I do have a small pond they utilize during the heat of Summer. (2017) HEAVY HAWK PREDATION
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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.

As Glynn said, there are many factors including open flyways in all directions, starling and sparrow control, flying and climbing predator control, nest parasite control, unforeseen natural disasters in your area, nearby colonies to support your colony, etc.
If these factors are maintained, then within a few years, your colony will be full and you will look back on this post and laugh about your current concerns.
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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Otee977
Posts: 50
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2017 8:42 am
Location: Prescott Ar

I got a good location , I have zero sparrows and Starlings, im not whining , I'm happy I've got Martins and many of them after investing in proper housing this year , I'm just stating the facts
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[email protected]
Posts: 93
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:35 am
Location: Raynham MA. 02767
Martin Colony History: 2016, put Troyer pole with 6 units Horizontal with Conley 11 Tunnels.
Had some visits (two sittings) last year. A visit this year 2017.

Otee977 wrote:After one pair last year after two years trying I put up a multipurpose pole , two sunset inns and four guord setup , in March , full of eggs and babies as to date , every one , well most , Bragging on the gourds so I I go with the k 18 system, two weeks later , as to date 1 egg :shock:
Be happy you have some Martins. Many of use reading this Forum are still waiting for our first martins snowflake. :roll: :shock:
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Kuemic
Posts: 176
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 7:17 pm
Location: Topeka, KS
Martin Colony History: 2015 1 pair, 2 eggs destroyed by HOSP
2016 1 pair, 2 fledged, HOSP 46
2017 1 pair, 5 fledged, HOSP 14
2018 daily visitors, HOSP 12
2019 1 pair, 2 fledged, HOSP 14
2020 1pair, 5 fledged, HOSP 17
2021 2 pair, 7 fledged, HOSP 21
2022 3 pair, 12 fledged, HOSP 18
2023 8 pair, 35 fledged, HOSP 16
2024 13 pair, 55 fledged, HOSP 11

LOL, remind me not to whine on this forum :wink:

In our area it has taken 2 years for any martin to enter a gourd, most of the housing around us is the older Trio setup, with round holes. Actually have a SY pair staying in the gourds at night - of the 3 open , they've spent at least one night in each gourd. Crescent openings are the only way to go here, due to starlings.

Happy martin season!! -Michelle
Michelle in Topeka
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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.

Ouch! Agree with Michelle, remind not to whine on this Forum.

Good luck Otee977; with your setup they will come.
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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