Possible New Colony for West Des Moines, Iowa

[avesrun]

I have 2 pr. (both asy male/sy female) at my home site that have taken residency. One pr in gourd and the other in a t14. The males showed up starting May 2nd and the sy females around May 13. It's possible the asy males came from a satellite site I started 4yrs ago. I have tried for 7 yrs for my home site and hopefully this is the year. Had one successful pair 3 yrs ago and zero since. The asy males immediately took to supplemental feeding of cricket flipping and this morning the sy females figured it out too thanks to watching their mates eat breakfast for a couple days while they watched and learned and went hungry! Both pair also have been observed in the early stages of nest building. Please say a few prayers especially for the sy females who've never done the breeding/ nesting thing before! They're smart though and have chosen sreh over round entrances (both were offered)after being coaxed heavily by the asy males into sreh. Best of season everyone!
Tim G

[Dave Duit]

Hi Tim,
This is great news after all those years of trying for a new colony at your home location. Hopefully they will have a successful fledge rate and all survive their first year. As you know it is a numbers game the first few years of starting a new colony and we need all we can get from your new pair. Many prayers.

[BillieJR]

I'm good for prayers so good luck! I hope you have the start of something great!

[avesrun]

Thanks Billy and Dave. Hope all is well at your colonies. Another crappy wet breezy day today with a high of only 49°. Can you believe it we are over halfway into May! The two pair have really taken to the supplemental feeding. I Walked Out My Backdoor in the steady rain just a bit ago and all 4 flew right over and began eating flipped crickets . The sy females are now pros at the technique!
TimG

[lynnh]

Sounds like you’ve got the makings of a great foundation for a new Martin colony ,congratulations Tim. Many prayers sent your way.
Lynn.

[BillieJR]

Thanks, avesrun! Unfortunately, I haven't seen a martin this year yet. I have a friend about 10 miles away who has his back for about a month now but I haven't seen any. I am a wannabe landlord so I'm still holding out hope for the SYs to come around and like what they see. Fingers crossed.

sounds like you have yourself some keepers. Good for you!

[phldave]

Great news Tim, l’m happy for you. Unfortunately it has been uneventful around here. I have seen next to nothing this year so far. This is year 8 for me.
Dave

[avesrun]

PHLDave thank you and never give up. Martins have found your site before and they will again! I've been lucky in that I've had consistent visitor martins all seven years even before I started a satellite site. For some reason these two asy males showed up this season at home and have stuck. I'm wondering if one of them is the male that successfully nested here 3 yrs ago! I've read where site fidelity is especially strong in the males. Good luck Dave and there's still time for this season!

[Dave Duit]

Hang in there BillyJR. Good to see everyone is on top of the supplement feeding. This week will be another trying week with forecast rain rain rain.