Last evening, 4/15/20, a large influx of mainly SY purple martins arrived to roost with the hundreds of permanent martins in both our colonies, mine and my neighbor Bob. It was a madhouse around here as the permanent residents were not happy to see all these intruders trying to force their way into their nests! We are in northwest Louisiana.
Today we had more SY males looking for territory and they have already started fighting with the resident ASY male tyrants that are dominating multiple cavities and will NOT give any up any without a vicious fight to see which male is the stronger! A few of these SY males have managed to fight their way into the colony and I have a few SY pairs now.
We are still seeing single ASY males arriving and trying to find a cavity, too. They are in the same situation as those SY males.
My gourd racks and houses are filling up now with martins and I believe there are between 250 and 300 pairs of martins in my colony right now.
So far it looks like 2020 will be a great martin season for us. If the SY martins continue to arrive in force, they should be able to eventually fight their way into our colonies to claim many of the vacant gourds/house compartments.
I hope everyone is having a great martin season so far!
Steve
Large Influx Of SY Purple Martins Arrived
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Steve Kroenke
- Posts: 4342
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:49 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Logansport
PMCA Member
300+ pairs of martins each season
300+ pairs of martins each season
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3789
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
Sounds like things are good down your way Steve. First week I had arrivals I had 3 males stay all week. The following week I picked up 7 or 8 more, a mix of males and females. This past week I haven't noticed any increase but temps have been below freezing in the morning and only into the mid 40's as highs during the day. Right now is about the time I normally have arrivals showing up so I am guessing after this weekend once the weather warms back up I will see an influx, at least that is what I am hoping for. SY's usually don't arrive in my area until May. I had 30 pair last year so I am still expecting quite a few ASY's to arrive. Tomorrow is supposed to be the last day in the 40's from here on out....
2026 HOSP 28
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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James Strickland FL
- Posts: 2249
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:04 pm
- Location: Reidsville NC
- Martin Colony History: 2017 Had a lot visitors no Matins nesting, hoping 2018 will be different.
2018 Had 1 pair
2019 had 30 pair
Steve, I had 2 Sy Females show up 2 days ago. They are early. I still am also having more ASY'S showing up. Looks like we are going to have some strong South Winds to start today, so I may get more coming in. The Season is going well so far!
PMCA MEMBER
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Steve Kroenke
- Posts: 4342
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:49 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Logansport
Flyin-lowe,
We had another large influx last evening at roosting time and a bunch of SYs fighting for territory this morning. Several SY males have succeeded in defeating dominant ASY males and forced them to give up some of their controlled cavities! Good to see that!
We had several cool days including cold mornings recently. Today has been warmer with south winds.
Looks like your martin colony is picking up martins. I bet many of these SYs that try to roost at our colonies will be heading farther north and maybe to your colony!
I hope your martin colony has a nice increase over last season. Good luck!
Steve
James,
Your martin colony is growing and more martins should be arriving with those strong south winds. Still seeing more ASY males fighting for territory this morning! Good luck!
Steve
We had another large influx last evening at roosting time and a bunch of SYs fighting for territory this morning. Several SY males have succeeded in defeating dominant ASY males and forced them to give up some of their controlled cavities! Good to see that!
We had several cool days including cold mornings recently. Today has been warmer with south winds.
Looks like your martin colony is picking up martins. I bet many of these SYs that try to roost at our colonies will be heading farther north and maybe to your colony!
I hope your martin colony has a nice increase over last season. Good luck!
Steve
James,
Your martin colony is growing and more martins should be arriving with those strong south winds. Still seeing more ASY males fighting for territory this morning! Good luck!
Steve
PMCA Member
300+ pairs of martins each season
300+ pairs of martins each season
I live in Victoria, TX and I had 8 pairs in a broken down house in an ideal location. I replaced the old house with an aluminum 12 compartment house and I have no returns. In fact the bird population in general on my 71/2 acres is way down. I had trouble with sparrows last year but have none this year. Has anyone else had that experience?