Martin Colony History: 2018 1 lone nut and lots of visitors 2019 6 pair -21fledged 2020 18 pair -60 fledged 2021......to be seen. 24 natural gourds on a satellite rack,9 other gourds scattered around 2-12 compartment trio houses Rarely see a sparrow or starling,but when I do they don’t last long! Will have a second satellite rack for the 2022 season and phase out the houses,the martins here strongly prefer natural gourds.
Ok it just fell dark ......I’m on the road almost to the drop point....
Fixin to bail into mr. Steve kroenokes’ front yard. Gonna set my repeating sparrow trap baited with live mealy worms and scrambled eggs,gonna catch all his first arrivals and shag on home with em. Failed attempt last season ,dog started barkin had to skidaddle outa there I hear his neighbor packs ! Update tomorrow.
Martin Colony History: 2018 1 lone nut and lots of visitors 2019 6 pair -21fledged 2020 18 pair -60 fledged 2021......to be seen. 24 natural gourds on a satellite rack,9 other gourds scattered around 2-12 compartment trio houses Rarely see a sparrow or starling,but when I do they don’t last long! Will have a second satellite rack for the 2022 season and phase out the houses,the martins here strongly prefer natural gourds.
So last season I attempted to simply sneak across mr. Steve’s large yard and lift some martins and sneak back out. The neighbors dog spotted me and I had to make a hasty retreat! So this season after noticing the early arriving birds,I hatched a new plan . I figured if I bailed two clicks farther away this time with a gilly suit on and slowly slithered across the yard at a snails pace the dog or anyone else wouldn’t notice me. So.....about half way across the yard after an hour of slithering I made a lengthy stop with gourds in sight and mealy worms in hand. Little did I know I had slithered right dead on top of a giant fire ant mound! Well when about 10,000 fire ants got all in my pants and shirt I went to doin the Indian hat dance slapping em all off the same dang dog got after me again,bit me in the butt and I had to again hastily abort the mission and shag!!!! Am I EVER gonna get Steve’s martins? Only time will tell.
Has anyone heard from Steve this year? Before joining the forum back in my creeping days, I would always enjoy his updates, plus he’s in the same area I am. Hoping all is ok
Martin Colony History: 2018 1 lone nut and lots of visitors 2019 6 pair -21fledged 2020 18 pair -60 fledged 2021......to be seen. 24 natural gourds on a satellite rack,9 other gourds scattered around 2-12 compartment trio houses Rarely see a sparrow or starling,but when I do they don’t last long! Will have a second satellite rack for the 2022 season and phase out the houses,the martins here strongly prefer natural gourds.
DBH, I figured I might a rise out of Steve but I haven’t seen any posts or updates. I did see the one scout report he listed. I’m just pokin fun at him,he’s a nice guy and tolerates it well. You what they say “if we didn’t like ya we wouldn’t pick at ya”. Hope I haven’t plucked a nerve or anything. I would think he may begin to give us updates soon,hope he’s doin ok with this corona and all.
Martin Colony History: 2018 1 lone nut and lots of visitors 2019 6 pair -21fledged 2020 18 pair -60 fledged 2021......to be seen. 24 natural gourds on a satellite rack,9 other gourds scattered around 2-12 compartment trio houses Rarely see a sparrow or starling,but when I do they don’t last long! Will have a second satellite rack for the 2022 season and phase out the houses,the martins here strongly prefer natural gourds.
To you martin crooks,
Be on the lookout Steve!!! Those PMCs (purple martin crooks) are on the prowl. You guys are hilarious but I know where you're coming from. I thinks Steve's got 17 racks in his colony and his buddy close by has a bunch more. Those guys are martin-magnets and martin-whisperers. Love reading Steve's posts; he's loaded with good ideas and writes well. Particularly his write-up about flying bouts between martins and merlins. Brings up memories of "Top Gun"!!
Happy Martining, Mike
and I had to again hastily abort the mission and shag!!!! Am I EVER gonna get Steve’s martins? Only time will tell.