Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
We were in the barn. Mike stepped out the door to dump some ice and hollered at me, "come here, quick!" I ran to see and there he was. A lone ASY male quietly sneaking into his gourd for the night. Time was 5:56. He made no sound as he made one swooping pass then dove into a gourd. Let the season begin! I am so excited!! Keep your eyes to the skies!
Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Martin Colony History: Landlord of colony started in 1940 by grandfather. Completely lost colony due to houses that did not provide protection from owls. New T-14 houses installed. 100% full with no nest abandonment due to owl guards, predator lights and decoys. Starting new colonies in Minneapolis with new T-14 houses. Planning on community martin houses in park system. Re-claimed wetlands next to city lakes would be excellent site. Currently their are No colonies in Minneapolis, MN. Hoping to have same success as I had in Western Wisconsin
We were in the barn. Mike stepped out the door to dump some ice and hollered at me, "come here, quick!" I ran to see and there he was. A lone ASY male quietly sneaking into his gourd for the night. Time was 5:56. He made no sound as he made one swooping pass then dove into a gourd. Let the season begin! I am so excited!! Keep your eyes to the skies!
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.
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.
Emil,
Just navigated through it, stopped just short of submitting a report. I had to change a password id forgotten but got through it. Im no computer guru, worked for me.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
