Our Martins came out about 10am this morning and so we went and put crickets out on the tray for them and also the blue birds to eat. Here is a link to click to watch the video I have of the Martins eating this morning on youtube. Also, we just got another box of 1,000 crickets this morning, the 4 Martins we have are going threw them like no ones business due to this weather being nasty.
https://youtu.be/7Overh73C18
Martins eating crickets this morning.
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nikkihaddox
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 2:05 pm
- Location: Washington Missouri
- Martin Colony History: My father has started the Martin Colony back in 2000. To this day we have had about 40 to 45 pairs of Martins. We use 5 Martin houses and a few gourds, unfortunately the Martins prefer the houses over the gourds, but we still put them up.
Awesome video! What kind of camera did you use?
And I noticed you didn't ave any sparrows-? How do you manage them? Or were they just not there for the video?
And I noticed you didn't ave any sparrows-? How do you manage them? Or were they just not there for the video?
2015- 4 fledged
2016- 15 fledged
2017- 50 fledged
2018- 82 fledged
2019- 116 fledged
2020- 175 fledged
2021- 170 fledged
1 12 room Trendsetter, 1 18 gourd rack, 1 28 room Trendsetter house.
2016- 15 fledged
2017- 50 fledged
2018- 82 fledged
2019- 116 fledged
2020- 175 fledged
2021- 170 fledged
1 12 room Trendsetter, 1 18 gourd rack, 1 28 room Trendsetter house.
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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.
Good job Nikki. They look like they are in good shape due to your help.
Doug
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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sugarcreek
- Posts: 252
- Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2016 10:43 am
- Location: Sugarcreek, Ohio
- Martin Colony History: 2016 First Yr.
Nice..If you can keep them eating you can keep them alive.
16 - 14 Cavities 4 Act. Ne 9 fledged, 2.25 Fl. per Act. Ne
17 - 36 Cavities 18 Act. Ne 65 Fledged, 3.61 Fl. per Act. Ne
18 - 54 Cavities 43 Act. Ne 169 Fledged, 3.93 Fl. per Act. Ne
19 - 108 Cavities 67 Act. Ne 209 Fledged, 3.12 Fl. per Act. Ne
20 - 108 Cavities 72 Act. Ne 243 Fledged, 3.38 Fl. per Act. Ne
21 - 112 Cavities 91 Act. Ne 313 Fledged, 3.44 Fl. per Act. Ne
22 - 114 Cavities 101 Act Ne 355 Fledged, 3.51 Fl. per Act. Ne
17 - 36 Cavities 18 Act. Ne 65 Fledged, 3.61 Fl. per Act. Ne
18 - 54 Cavities 43 Act. Ne 169 Fledged, 3.93 Fl. per Act. Ne
19 - 108 Cavities 67 Act. Ne 209 Fledged, 3.12 Fl. per Act. Ne
20 - 108 Cavities 72 Act. Ne 243 Fledged, 3.38 Fl. per Act. Ne
21 - 112 Cavities 91 Act. Ne 313 Fledged, 3.44 Fl. per Act. Ne
22 - 114 Cavities 101 Act Ne 355 Fledged, 3.51 Fl. per Act. Ne
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nikkihaddox
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 2:05 pm
- Location: Washington Missouri
- Martin Colony History: My father has started the Martin Colony back in 2000. To this day we have had about 40 to 45 pairs of Martins. We use 5 Martin houses and a few gourds, unfortunately the Martins prefer the houses over the gourds, but we still put them up.
I actually just used my phone there is a spot in the tray my phone sits and out of the way, and the Martins don't mind it at all. They enjoy posing for the camera 
We have no had sparrows in a week or so, we have trapped 10 sparrows so far this year. When we get a sparrow they stay in our sparrow trap to attract the others. But thankfully we have not had any in a week or so. Have seen starlings though on the ground off and on through out the day, haven't caught one of those in a week or so as well. We have caught 3 of those so far this year. Other than that we have blue birds and martins and a pair of robins.
We have no had sparrows in a week or so, we have trapped 10 sparrows so far this year. When we get a sparrow they stay in our sparrow trap to attract the others. But thankfully we have not had any in a week or so. Have seen starlings though on the ground off and on through out the day, haven't caught one of those in a week or so as well. We have caught 3 of those so far this year. Other than that we have blue birds and martins and a pair of robins.
Good stuff Nikki! Thanks for the video!
2007 2 pair 8 fledged
2008 4 pair 18 fledged
2009 21 pair 87 fledged
2010 44 pair 174 fledged
2011 68 pair 244 fledged
2012 82 pair 364 fledged
2013 82 pair 359 fledged
2014 86 pair 415 fledged
2015 101 pair 427 fledged
2008 4 pair 18 fledged
2009 21 pair 87 fledged
2010 44 pair 174 fledged
2011 68 pair 244 fledged
2012 82 pair 364 fledged
2013 82 pair 359 fledged
2014 86 pair 415 fledged
2015 101 pair 427 fledged
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TheSmiths
- Posts: 336
- Joined: Mon May 12, 2014 1:02 pm
- Location: Western KY
- Martin Colony History: •
•
Tried to attract PMs 2004; began more earnest attempt in 2014.
Current home site consisting of 2 modified Trio M12Ks, 4 ChirpyNests, and assorted artificial gourds, all enclosed in owl/hawk cages.
2018 — 3 pairs
2019 — 6 pairs
2020 — 12 pairs; barred owls late in season
2021 — 17 pairs; enclosed housing
2022 – 14 pairs
2023 – 18 pairs
2024 – 18 pairs
2025 – 24 pairs
2026 –
Manage FILs colony & public park colony. Attempting to start a colony at a wildlife refuge.
~20 years of providing housing for cavity nesting birds including Bluebirds, Carolina Wrens, House Wrens, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Great-Crested Flycatchers, Northern Flickers, & Prothonotary Warblers.
Nice to see them eating their fill.
Do frozen crickets smell as bad as live ones?
Do frozen crickets smell as bad as live ones?
I really liked your video. Looked like the blue bird helped you out getting them started. Female was the least shy & soon the others realized they were missing out on a meal. I haven't had to feed mine in a few years and most probably wouldn't remember the process.
I always flipped them with a plastic spoon. Once one Martin took one, she would return for 6 or 8 crickets. Then when she stayed on the house someone else would step up. Eventually you would have 12 to 15 Martins right above your head and you could throw them straight up with your hand. Even on warm days they would fly up to your face and hover looking for hand outs.
How many years have you fed them out of that tray?
How high is it off of the ground?
Are the crickets frozen & your microwaving them?
Good Luck with your Martins this Season!
I always flipped them with a plastic spoon. Once one Martin took one, she would return for 6 or 8 crickets. Then when she stayed on the house someone else would step up. Eventually you would have 12 to 15 Martins right above your head and you could throw them straight up with your hand. Even on warm days they would fly up to your face and hover looking for hand outs.
How many years have you fed them out of that tray?
How high is it off of the ground?
Are the crickets frozen & your microwaving them?
Good Luck with your Martins this Season!
Colony started in 2002
Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds
2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS
*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds
2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS
*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
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nikkihaddox
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 2:05 pm
- Location: Washington Missouri
- Martin Colony History: My father has started the Martin Colony back in 2000. To this day we have had about 40 to 45 pairs of Martins. We use 5 Martin houses and a few gourds, unfortunately the Martins prefer the houses over the gourds, but we still put them up.
They have been eating out of the tray for many years now don't have a exact date but it's been awhile. We also put nesting material in the tray as well.
The pole is adjustable to where it can go up and down and we keep it at about 5 feet high.
We freeze the crickets then we thaw them out in a cup of warm water.
The pole is adjustable to where it can go up and down and we keep it at about 5 feet high.
We freeze the crickets then we thaw them out in a cup of warm water.