Sad to see em leaving

[PMDavid]

Well things ar drawing to and end around central Louisiana. The Martins have pretty much all fledged except for a few late nesters and most are gone from the houses around here. The neighbor had around 15 pairs and he’s down to one lone pair ,and those babies will fledge any day . All the rest of the birds ar gone. I guess they are all headed south towards the roost at lake ponchitrain by the “big easy”(New Orleans). Anyone else starting to thin down on birds? They get here early cause we are so far south,consequently they get done early,sorry to see em leave. But.......as a wanna be this sets things in motion for next season. So gonna change my gourd rack pole to a one piece of schedule 80 ,add a trio pioneer,and have the homade house with 4 naturals underneath. Total of 20 naturals and two houses. They seem to like the trio’s around here so I’m gonna offer that for help in gettin going. They also like the gourds as there are quite a few folks around that have gourds and they fill up. So I’m lookin forward already to next season (my 2cd one)and will be on time or early about getting all accommodations set up and open,was late this year,that ain’t happ’n again! Good luck to all,hope ya’ll had a good year!

[-=DKC=-]

Well things ar drawing to and end around central Louisiana. The Martins have pretty much all fledged except for a few late nesters and most are gone from the houses around here. The neighbor had around 15 pairs and he’s down to one lone pair ,and those babies will fledge any day . All the rest of the birds ar gone. I guess they are all headed south towards the roost at lake ponchitrain by the “big easy”(New Orleans). Anyone else starting to thin down on birds? They get here early cause we are so far south,consequently they get done early,sorry to see em leave. But.......as a wanna be this sets things in motion for next season. So gonna change my gourd rack pole to a one piece of schedule 80 ,add a trio pioneer,and have the homade house with 4 naturals underneath. Total of 20 naturals and two houses. They seem to like the trio’s around here so I’m gonna offer that for help in gettin going. They also like the gourds as there are quite a few folks around that have gourds and they fill up. So I’m lookin forward already to next season (my 2cd one)and will be on time or early about getting all accommodations set up and open,was late this year,that ain’t happ’n again! Good luck to all,hope ya’ll had a good year!

I feel the same way. I have one more partially fledged gourd left and I expect them to fledged today. Fortunately my birds have been returning every evening to sleep in the gourds so I've been able to enjoy my fledglings. But my yard does seem awfully lonely when they all leave. I do feed American Goldfinches in the Winter but they're not really social like the Martins.

I have a list of things I want to do to prepare for next year. Each year I learn so many things there are always ways to improve my setup.

And getting set up early is a good idea. I was surprised how early mine showed up my second year.

[dwbcoan]

Do we ever know the feeling! We fledged between 108 and 112 Purple Martins this year in New Port Richey, FL on the Gulf. We noticed your state, Louisiana was one of the very first to record scouts this year. Ours scouts arrived February 5th 2018 and the rest on the 1st of March. The last ones headed South on July 1st and but most of them headed South by June 15th. We already cleaned our houses and gourds out and just put them back up because hundreds more Martins will be staying over for the night as they fly down from northern Florida and beyond. Good luck getting ready for next year... We are already doing preparing to add more houses. Seems we get everything ready earlier and earlier even though we know they will not arrive until February. Christmas day is the perfect time HA! bill/sally

[C.C.Martins]

Second that one. Chicks were returning in force a few weeks ago, now its thin; adults arent staying with them. they show just at dusk, squabble a bit and then go into whatever cavity they can; funny because when the adults were shepherding them they were very strict on their cavity, now 5-6 chicks will go into one and zero in another. Adults come by and collect the remaining birds and off they go the entire day, some older birds come around in the morning mainly to sit and preen. Very quiet, not looking forward to off season....but like you two, will be ready early on...they showed 2 months earlier than last year. Learned a ton this year; had been hand feeding some under nourished chicks (eggs, dried cat food dipped in pedialite and crickets), but ultimately lost two of 6...maybe more but they haven't been back to be able to tell for sure...SY male lost his mate near the end, he did ok. If he comes back, Ill know...he has a very horse voice, something happened to him because he wasnt like that a few months ago. 9 eggs didnt hatch, one because another egg case capped it.

Have two Lone stars to put up for next year but will only hang 4 gourds from each...shortened the arms to bring the gourds in tight. will hang them all in a configuration facing the house...allows the birds to fly into the predominantly SSW winds while landing, some birds (especially chicks) had difficulty in the stiff winds and hopefully give them quicker access during the inevitable hawk returns.

Will use the PMCA wing entrapment guards alot AKA Lewis Mod.
Will use pine needles spread over cedar chips (the straw I used is susceptible to rot in the humidity).
Next season is last year for the house, will retire it...strictly gourds. Birds like it but it takes too long to conduct nest checks and I worry about the pole. And Im kinda sick of the ladder. Will bring the number of nesting birds down but quality over quantity at this point.

Am trying to find the local roost, will post it if I do!

Best of luck all!

Very Happy 4th of July! Thanks to those who served, and thanks to those who care for their Martins!
Tom

[Conrad Baker]

Mine have been gone about 2 weeks. Tuesday morning (July 3rd) when I went outside, there were about 10 PM on the house, but they all flew away when they saw me. Haven't seen one since then. The house is empty, no dead babies or unhatched eggs, only an occasional sparrow coming to stick it's head in.

[Paulfreeman]

I’m in Whitney Texas 70 miles below Fort Worth mine left about 4-5 days ago. 20-25 pairs. Haven’t seen a single bird in days. I miss the morning activity and nest checks. Now time for maintenance and replacement of one house.

[randy741985]

I know there is an Arrival map, but is there a departure map?

[BillieJR]

I think that would be a good idea to add a departure map.

Welcome to this group, Paulfreeman! it's always depressing when they leave.

[-=DKC=-]

I know there is an Arrival map, but is there a departure map?

Actually, that would be very interesting.

[C.C.Martins]

Yes, they are called roosts.

[Roymg]

Here in Covington,
mine have done their thing about 2 weeks ago but still come around in the mornings. Not sure what's up with these visitations but I have my house closed up to keep sparrows out. Could be some want to get another nest started but it's not happening. I'm done for the year. I assume they soon will stop coming by and head on down across the lake to get fatter and head back south. I had about 8 pair this year but not sure how many little ones made it. It was a hot and dry season.

[DelmaWhisenhunt]

Felt sad ! Had taken the houses down a week ago. No martins around for days, so thought it was farewell for the season. Was sitting on porch early yesterday, began to hear martins, looking up spotted 5 or 6 soaring over area where houses had been located. They kept soaring for maybe 30 minutes, 1 lit on 6 ft. Shepherds hook, kept looking around as if to say, I know the house is got to be here. Almost felt like getting one of houses out and erecting. I know season is over and the sparrows had already moved in, one had eggs already. Curious to know why the few come by and seemed to feel at home.

[pmartinlover2]

Hi Delma! I did the same thing. Took my gourds down due to sparrows and the next day there were 10+ sitting on the perch with no gourds below! I felt like I took their home away! I put 3 gourds back up but so far have not seen any others return. I think the martins were a combination of visitors and maybe a few of mine. I’ve never taken mine down this early but I don’t want the sparrows to get any ideas for next year!!! Hope you had a great 2018 season!

[Guordman]

Northwest Missouri...they left yesterday.

[CPBirdman]

Martins left my house the first week in July. They are back today. In previous years, I have seen them return for a visit before the migration south, but never this long after their initial departure. Hope all is well.

[Spiderman]

Felt sad ! Had taken the houses down a week ago. No martins around for days, so thought it was farewell for the season. Was sitting on porch early yesterday, began to hear martins, looking up spotted 5 or 6 soaring over area where houses had been located. They kept soaring for maybe 30 minutes, 1 lit on 6 ft. Shepherds hook, kept looking around as if to say, I know the house is got to be here. Almost felt like getting one of houses out and erecting. I know season is over and the sparrows had already moved in, one had eggs already. Curious to know why the few come by and seemed to feel at home.

I think they are bringing the Fledglings back to imprint on the location of your site.

All of our Martins have fledged and the last ones to spend the night were on 7/23. So it is very quite here. Hard not to worry about Hawks and Owls when the sun gets low in the sky in the afternoons anymore.

We had 189 Fledge this year which was good for our site.

Planning on adding one more Gourd rack before next spring.

[Dave Reynolds]

My last nest fledged.. Some fledged a week ago and now are all heading South.. All the little ones have found their wings.. Hate to see them go ... but they will be back next year and they will have a few more houses and gourds to choose from. Going to expand from 16 cavity’s to 32 cavity’s... Hope to get my PurpleMartin watch sheet finished soon and sent in.. Wonderful first year for me... ..

Dave

[PMDavid]

Hey Dave, this was my first year also. Zero....had daily lookers from the neighbors and a couple of overnighters,but no takers. I built a chuck Abare gourd rack with 16 naturals with canopies and wire perches and a homemade 8 compartment wooden house with 4 naturals under it. I was about two weeks late and only had the house up at first,then a month and a half later the gourd rack and gourds...too late I know. I do know the neighbor has 3-4 trio pioneers and the birds seem to like em so I’m gonna replace the wood house with one of those and add another one as well and the gourd rack will be up and open from the get go this next season. I’ve got a nice open area and a bayou on the back yard so I’m hopin for different results this next year. It must have been very fulfilling for your first year to have such great success! I’d jump through hoops for such good luck as that! Congrats on a stellar year and good luck for next season,I’m lookin forward to it gettin here. I’ve got a great set up with all the open area,water,mud,and resident birds around to get going. Not sure how many the neighbor fledged because he doesn’t really keep up with it ,more like guesses. He had around 18pr of birds so figure 3-4 per pair. Maybe they’ll come see me next season,got my fingers crossed.............

[PMDavid]

Hey Dave, this was my first year also. Zero....had daily lookers from the neighbors and a couple of overnighters,but no takers. I built a chuck Abare gourd rack with 16 naturals with canopies and wire perches and a homemade 8 compartment wooden house with 4 naturals under it. I was about two weeks late and only had the house up at first,then a month and a half later the gourd rack and gourds...too late I know. I do know the neighbor has 3-4 trio pioneers and the birds seem to like em so I’m gonna replace the wood house with one of those and add another one as well and the gourd rack will be up and open from the get go this next season. I’ve got a nice open area and a bayou on the back yard so I’m hopin for different results this next year. It must have been very fulfilling for your first year to have such great success! I’d jump through hoops for such good luck as that! Congrats on a stellar year and good luck for next season,I’m lookin forward to it gettin here. I’ve got a great set up with all the open area,water,mud,and resident birds around to get going. Not sure how many the neighbor fledged because he doesn’t really keep up with it ,more like guesses. He had around 18pr of birds so figure 3-4 per pair. Maybe they’ll come see me next season,got my fingers crossed............. I’m very envious of your excellent success and happy for you..maybe I’ll share some of with you this up coming season