Hi Everyone,
My first post to the forum and I look forward to the 2020 season! Back in 2013 I bought a small seasonal house on the southern Lake Ontario Shoreline in New York. There was a Heath aluminum octagon house on the site and several of the neighboring houses had martin houses on their properties. This was my first exposure to martins and I enjoyed the sounds and sites. At the time I was too busy fixing up the new residence to do anything with the martin house other than clean it in the spring, but the birds came back every year.
In the fall of 2018 I decided to get more serious and bought 6 - S&K Bo 9 gourds, tunnels, cooling caps, and a plastic hub rack to mount on the
existing Heath pole. Then the plan snowballed and I ended up buying a Troyer Deluxe 12 gourd rack. After winter was over in late May of 2019 I was able to install the ground stake and set up my rack using the previously purchased 6 - Bo 9's. As late as I was for our northern latitude I figured my season was going to be a wash as the martins were nesting next door. Well, I got lucky and had a pair nest, the 3 eggs all hatched and after watching the babies grow up and fledge, I was hooked.
Although it's winter, I'm looking forward to spring and getting going again. I didn't pre-nest last year but this year I have pine needles ready. I'm going to go another season with the 6- Bo 9's and once I have a season with a full house , I will start buying Troyer gourds.
I'm a beginner and look forward to learning more on this forum!
Jeff
New Member Introduction
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MartinBoy14012
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2020 4:18 pm
- Location: Barker,NY
Here is a picture of my site. Plenty of insects to eat around the lake!
Jeff
PMCA Member
PMCA Member
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Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
Beautiful location, welcome to the forum Jeff. Things will pick up here as the season arrives.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
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Whippy
- Posts: 1023
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 11:15 pm
- Location: Plano, Texas
- Martin Colony History: See Signature
Welcome to the forum. There are a lot of really smart people here. I've enjoyed being here and have learned a whole lot. I get the fever this time every year so my presence here is more than in the off season.
Distances in pictures are hard to determine as from the angle of your photo the gourd rack looks to be within 10 to 15 feet from that big ole tree. I'm sure it's more than that but curious to know how far the tree is from the rack.
When I see pictures of my gourd rack the trees in the back ground look like they are growing on top of it but they are actually 30 to 40 feet away.
Cool set up. You'll like the Troyers when you get them. I have 4 now and ordered 6 more yesterday. 3 out of my 4 were occupied last year (the first year I got them) and the fourth one had an egg laid in it but the layer did not stay.
Anyway. Sorry for the ramble but good to see you here.
Coolwhips.
Distances in pictures are hard to determine as from the angle of your photo the gourd rack looks to be within 10 to 15 feet from that big ole tree. I'm sure it's more than that but curious to know how far the tree is from the rack.
When I see pictures of my gourd rack the trees in the back ground look like they are growing on top of it but they are actually 30 to 40 feet away.
Cool set up. You'll like the Troyers when you get them. I have 4 now and ordered 6 more yesterday. 3 out of my 4 were occupied last year (the first year I got them) and the fourth one had an egg laid in it but the layer did not stay.
Anyway. Sorry for the ramble but good to see you here.
Coolwhips.
2016 - many visitors
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
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GFB
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:05 pm
- Location: Ontario NY
- Martin Colony History: I Started my first colony with my father in the late 1960's. Started building custom vinyl Martin houses last year 2018 and was successful with 10 birds fledged and it looks like several dozen birds are hanging around. Time to expand.
2018: 1 T-14 and 6 gourds. Fledged 10
2019: 2 T-14's and 6 gourds. Fledged 70
2020: 2 T-14's and 6 gourds. Fledged 111
2021: 2 T-14's and 18 gourds Fledged 186
2022: 2 T-14's and 18 gourds Fledged 208
Welcome Jeff, I also have a colony on the south shore of Lake Ontario just east of you between Rochester and Sodus Point NY. I've always wondered how many people along the lake have Martins because I know its a pretty good attractant. I helped my father with his martin colony way back in the 60's but only started my own colony in 2018 with 2 pair fledging 10 birds. I expanded from one homemade T14 with 6 Troyer vertical gourds underneath to two T14's with 6 gourds and fledged 70 in 2019. If interested you can see my first year colony by searching the NY purple martin project website and under private colonies select the #2 location and then Wayne county. You have a really nice site but as whippy said be mindful of the tree because it could be a perfect perch for hawks and martins know it. If you ever need any help give us a call, I would be glad to drive out your way to help a fellow martin landlord.
Guy
Guy
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MartinBoy14012
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2020 4:18 pm
- Location: Barker,NY
Thanks for the warm welcome! The rack isn't as close to the tree as it looks in the picture. My site is only 50' wide so I installed the new pole in the same location as the original octagon house was. Not perfect but no concerns on my end.
GFB, Thanks for the info regarding the NY Purple Martin Project. It's a great resource for our area. In my location there are plenty of waterfront property owners with martin housing. I see all kinds of set ups as I kayak along the shoreline.
GFB, Thanks for the info regarding the NY Purple Martin Project. It's a great resource for our area. In my location there are plenty of waterfront property owners with martin housing. I see all kinds of set ups as I kayak along the shoreline.
Jeff
PMCA Member
PMCA Member
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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 2441
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
- Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
- Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged
Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged
.... MartinBoy .... Welcome, to the Forum ... It's great to have you here,,, Lot of good people with lots of information.. Good Luck this season.... 
Dave
Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
Welcome aboard and into the life of a martin landlord! Lots of good folks all willing to help you. Sounds like you started in the right direction and at the right place. I wish you all tbe best 2020 season and look forward to hearing sucess stories.
Reguards,
Tom
Reguards,
Tom
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
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MartinBoy14012
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2020 4:18 pm
- Location: Barker,NY
Yes, I'm lucky that the area along the shoreline is already established. Now that I'm getting serious, I'll be able to assist in helping the martins thrive even more. With the new rack I installed last year, it was the first time I had a system that I could lower and do nest checks. It was amazing feeling to open up a gourd and see this:
- Attachments
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- Babies25.jpg (157.33 KiB) Viewed 9423 times
Jeff
PMCA Member
PMCA Member
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
I would say you are hooked like the rest of us. Good picture!
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
Welcome Martinboy,
Glad to see a new member to the organization.
Glad to see a new member to the organization.
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tor
- Posts: 279
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:35 pm
- Location: Marlboro County, SC
- Martin Colony History: 2025 Capacity: 96
72 Hor / Vert Troyers on 3 X Super-24's.
24 Hor Troyers on Gemini-24.
2026: We'll see.
2025: 92 pair - Fledge: 405
2024: 72 pair - Fledge: 356
2023: 72 pair - Fledge: 342
2022: 72 pair - Fledge: 322
2021: 71 pair - Fledge: 325
2020: 72 pair - Fledge: 336
2019: 70 pair - Fledge: 320
2018: 60 pair - Fledge: 297
2017: 36 pair - Fledge: 189
2016: 16 pair - Fledge: 79
2015: 4 pair - Fledge: 21
Welcome, Martinboy. Wow, you way up there against the Canadian border. Hope you get lots of martins. be patient though, it's quite a ways to get up there.
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MartinBoy14012
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2020 4:18 pm
- Location: Barker,NY
We are on the south shore (USA) of Lake Ontario in New York. Canada is approx. 35 miles north across the lake and our martins start to arrive the first week of May.
Jeff
PMCA Member
PMCA Member