No Longer a Wannabe Landlord

[Mitch Booth]

Well gang its been a super busy year for me and I haven't had much time to spend on The Forum, but I'm certain I've finally gotten out of the Wannabe Club. It was very exciting having 10-12 martins around at all times this year. I had a few SY males that just couldn't attract a mate but I'm super thrilled with 4 pair and 19 fledglings, considering my past attempts. I don't plan on changing anything and all through August I had literally hundreds of birds circling the gourds every evening (just prior to them going to their pre-migratory roost) and noticed a few birds entering the gourds to spend the night. They were either the adults or young birds because the gourds they darted into were the ones that previously fledged birds a week or so earlier. I have a total of 36 gourds on the house side of the pond and and a T-14 with 4 gourds hanging below on the far side of pond close to the tree line. I don't anticipate much action in the original T-14 (not placed correctly) but wouldn't be a bit surprised to have 10-12 pair in the 3 gourds racks in front of the house

I can't wait until April 2019!!!

Mitch

[Dave Reynolds]

Mitch ..,, So great to hear that you are out of the Wannabe club.. And it sounds like you have had a great first year.. This also was my first year, to have martins, but it was at my Satilite Site out at the Golf Course.. I think I’m out of the club also.. Hopeing you much more success in 2019..

Dave

[Dale D]

Congratulations, on your success!

[flyin-lowe]

Congrats and hopefully your numbers really shoot up next year.

[C.C.Martins]

Mitch, congrats; very nice. No reason your numbers wont improve this next year; wish you a safe, productive Martin season next year!

[Mitch Booth]

Thanks everyone! I can't hardly wait for April 2019 as I'm confident I'll finally get some returning birds with 4 pair all successfully fledgling young.

Hard to believe in about 12 weeks they'll start returning to the US!!

Mitch

[Dave Duit]

Mithc,
Congrats on your graduation to being a landlord. It takes a lot of time, but it finally paid off. It is a great feeling to have martins.

[MarkinMn]

....Congrats Mitch.....guess I can get off the wannabe list also, with 9 pair, and 36 fledge this year...I think that I worry more now that I have them, than I did just trying to get them (took 20+ years)..I'm surrounded by woods and I am always hearing owls hooting all the time....maybe the nitelights that I installed on each of the houses kept them away this year....anyhow...congrats again Mitch....and best of luck next year.......mrk

[flyin-lowe]

Congrats again Mitch. I am hoping you double or more your numbers next year.

[Doug Martin - PA]

Great to hear Mitch. Congratulations. It's only a matter of time once you do things right. You just don't know how much time though. Years come and go fast. Patience is a virtue.

Doug

[Mitch Booth]

Congrats again Mitch. I am hoping you double or more your numbers next year.

Yes I'm hoping for 10 pair next year! This year was a thrill having 10-12 birds there at all times. I've only ever had 1 pair the previous times I had them and was able to keep tract of all the activity just having one pair to watch.

Mitch

[Doug Martin - PA]

You will likely have a later start next season in April than the older colonies but you will really get going in May.

So remember to not be concerned early on. A newer colony is on a much later timetable for a few years. Then they will be fighting to get in there early and you will have quite a gang to care for. You will need to get them trained to supplemental feed in bad weather.

Doug

[Dave Reynolds]

You will likely have a later start next season in April than the older colonies but you will really get going in May.

So remember to not be concerned early on. A newer colony is on a much later timetable for a few years. Then they will be fighting to get in there early and you will have quite a gang to care for. You will need to get them trained to supplemental feed in bad weather.

Doug

..

...

Doug,, This was my first year as a landlord. Many of the older colonies in my area, get their first birds back around middle of March.. My first ones were here about one month later, (Middle April).. Since it was my first year, with 15 pair, can I also expect my colony’s first arrivals next year to be still on the same time table.? around middle April. When do you think my first arrivals will start coming earlier.. ?? After four or five years. Do your think it is to early to expand my colony from 16 rooms to 32 rooms, I have already bought two new houses and gourds for the expansion..

Dave

[flyin-lowe]

Congrats again Mitch. I am hoping you double or more your numbers next year.

Yes I'm hoping for 10 pair next year! This year was a thrill having 10-12 birds there at all times. I've only ever had 1 pair the previous times I had them and was able to keep tract of all the activity just having one pair to watch.

Mitch

It is not uncommon at all in this part of the country to double your numbers each year the first few years. This last time I went from 4 to 15. Im going to either build another T14 or add another gourd rack over the winter. Right now I have 34 cavities available and want to add on a little. I don't think Ill get over 30 pair next year but I want to be ready.....

[sugarcreek]

You may be surprised, take care of them and they will come in bunches.
We went from 4 pair to 14 pair to 42 pair in 3 yrs

[tor]

Good news, Mitch. Hopefully your count will increase even more next year :-)

[Dave Duit]

Now that you are out of the wannabe club, it will be your duty to help those left behind in the wannabe club. Just kidding. But, those that do get martins can give great encouragement to those still looking to start their own colonies. Best of martin landlording my friend.

[Mitch Booth]

No doubt about that! I struggled for 7 years with limited success and ended moving a few poles and a few trees and everything came together much better. I would love to help anyone that needs it!!

Mitch

[lynnh]

congratulations Mitch, keep on keeping on!