Written Notes

mjfog · Thu Feb 14, 2019 9:11 pm

This year I'm keeping a written log of my martin observations. Had an ASY male perched on one of my colonies on the 8th and on the 9th of this month; 15 days earlier than a similar occurrence last season. On 10 February this year, I noted a martin above my colonies but it, or others, did not perch. Hadn't seen a single martin in the sky until between 5:15 and 6 PM this evening when a pair circled at the earlier time and second pair at the later time. Four days and no martin sightings until tonight.
Last year I had birds on the 23rd of February and it seems I saw birds daily until they migrated south. Memory only; no written record. Keep that in mind.
I not alarmed. I figure these gaps in martin observations are because these new arrivals are in a "checking out the territory" stage. Let's see what else is around before we set up housekeeping.
What say you long-time landlords?

Dave Reynolds · Fri Feb 15, 2019 9:24 am

mjfog -- I have also keep record from year to year. Looking at a few of those years gone by, I to notice that some landlords near me said the same thing. Some of the landlords would go into panic, until I reminded them that this has happen before.. They would get one or two and sometimes three arrivals on time and then the birds would leave for 6 to ten days.. Not to sure where they went, but they were right back home within a week ... It just seems normal to me. Hope you have a great year.

Dave

clivia98 · Fri Feb 15, 2019 11:51 am

Funny you posted this because I was saying the same thing this morning. I took notes last year (as I am doing this year) and I wrote last year that I had a pair staying over night at this time. Because, so far, I have had visitors and fly overs but none staying I am concerned, too. But I will be patient and vigilante. I am sure my houses will be full of guests soon. Good luck to you.

Robbi · Sat Feb 16, 2019 6:22 am

I’ve had the same experience, and I live in your neighborhood. Last week they were circling, two landed briefly and one spent the night. Nothing now for several days. I don’t even see any flying high above. Trying to be patient.

Dave Reynolds · Sat Feb 16, 2019 2:57 pm

Robbi wrote: ↑
Sat Feb 16, 2019 6:22 am
I’ve had the same experience, and I live in your neighborhood. Last week they were circling, two landed briefly and one spent the night. Nothing now for several days. I don’t even see any flying high above. Trying to be patient.

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My brother lives in Winter Haven, Florida.. He call me about 10 days ago and told me he had a couple of visitiors.. His birds just returned today, and it was a pair that went straight into his house.. These birds were on time for him today as he always gets them around middle February..

Dave

Robbi · Sun Feb 17, 2019 11:13 am

Spoke too soon! Have had visitors early this morning, and then before noon. One pair is going in and out of the house. Gone now, but I’m feeling better. There’s hope!

Dave Reynolds · Sun Feb 17, 2019 4:46 pm

Robbi wrote: ↑
Sun Feb 17, 2019 11:13 am
Spoke too soon! Have had visitors early this morning, and then before noon. One pair is going in and out of the house. Gone now, but I’m feeling better. There’s hope!

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Robbi —- That Great to here,,,, Enjoy em...

Dave

flyin-lowe · Mon Feb 18, 2019 6:20 pm

I used to and now I rely more on my iPhone. When doing nest checks last year I would just take a quick pic of the outside of a cavity and next a pic of the inside. With all the pictures being dated it's a quick way to go back and see when each nest started, eggs showed up, hatch dates etc. I just dump them all in a folder on my laptop.