FINALLY!!! I had a pair of purple martins here!

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BillieJR
Posts: 766
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 11:39 am
Location: Monroe, WI

I'm thrilled to report the awesome news! It was an ASY male and not sure if it was a female with him or a SY male but I'm thinking it was probably a female cuz I don't think the SYs are up this far yet. Altho I do believe there were actually 3 of them gliding around. The ASY male stopped on one of the gourds and was looking in but didn't go in. It had a SREH - it's the first time I've ever had any of those types of entries so I'm nervous about them but you all are insisting that they will adapt and accept them, if they want to stay here. I went out onto the deck and let them see me. I tried not to make eye contact and I did some talking so they could hear my voice. I eventually had to come back into the house to take care of the littles and then I lost track of them. I guess they have left. But hey - it's the most exciting thing I've had happen this season so far so I'm ecstatic and wanted to share with someone who understands my excitement. Now I just have to work faster to get that gourd rack up. lol!
Billie from southern Wisconsin
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LesMartin
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Nov 06, 2015 2:19 pm
Location: Windsor, Ontario

Congratulations Billie, getting that first visit from a purple martin is definitely very exciting. It is a good sign that they checked out your site and now you know that you are on their radar. I wish you luck this season. Great job!
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BillieJR
Posts: 766
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 11:39 am
Location: Monroe, WI

Thank you, thank you, thank you, LesMartin! :)
Billie from southern Wisconsin
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Dale D
Posts: 329
Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:11 am
Location: Orlando, Fl
Martin Colony History: Landlord since 2004

Congratulations, on your visitors! That puts you a little closer to becoming a Landlord. Best of Luck!
Orlando, FL Landlord since 2004
Offer 42 Cavities Total
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BillieJR
Posts: 766
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 11:39 am
Location: Monroe, WI

Thanks, Dale! I surely hope so.
Billie from southern Wisconsin
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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

BillieJR -- Great news... and Congrats to you and your new arrivals... Happy for ya... Enjoy.. :wink:

Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
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BillieJR
Posts: 766
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 11:39 am
Location: Monroe, WI

Thanks so much, Dave! It's so nice to have the encouragement you all give us wannabes here. :)
Billie from southern Wisconsin
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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.

Congrats!!!
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BillieJR
Posts: 766
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 11:39 am
Location: Monroe, WI

Thanks!!! I had to work tonight so I have no clue if they may have returned for the night and I have to be out of town tomorrow so I have to be hopeful but not too much. I don't want to be crazy disappointed if they don't stick around. But I know it's a long shot. I am just so glad they even stopped and actually landed on a gourd. :)
Billie from southern Wisconsin
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Purple Man
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2018 3:54 pm
Location: North Carolina
Martin Colony History: My First year 2018

That`s How it started for me ,next thing you know you`ll have 4 or 5 pair ,it seems like they draw more to your site !!
but as you know look out for predators !!!! Good LUCK!!
Mike
Eastern North Carolina
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Cloudwalker
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2016 1:52 pm
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Martin Colony History: I have had Martins for for about 34 years. I moved so I had to reestablish a colony. I did not keep good records but have fledged many birds over the years. I am passionate about Martins and love sharing and helping others enthusiasts!

That first visit to your site has to be the most exciting moment for a purple landlord. I will never forget exactly where I was and the feeling I had. I was ecstatic. Then when we moved and I tried establishing again it took two years and I remember looking out at my house and just saying, " Why, God, You know how much joy I get from Purple Martins...Please, please can I have that pleasure again!" Then a few days later they arrived and my new colony days began. I was so excited I cried.. :lol:
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BillieJR
Posts: 766
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 11:39 am
Location: Monroe, WI

Thanks Purple Man and Cloudwalker! Everything you said is true!!! Thanks so much for the words of encouragement. And I've been known to pray for them, too. :)
Billie from southern Wisconsin
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flyin-lowe
Posts: 3788
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
Location: Indiana/Henry Co.

Congrats on the activity. I would venture to say given your location and the timing that it is an ASY female, like you mentioned there are no SY's reported up there yet. One way to tell for sure is to listen to the song/sound. You will notice the male has a series of clicks at the end of their vocalization.
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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BillieJR
Posts: 766
Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 11:39 am
Location: Monroe, WI

Thanks - I'll have to try to remember that little trick.
Billie from southern Wisconsin
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