Arrivals in Central Virginia?

[cervey1]

Has anyone living in Central Virginia had the Purple Martins arrive yet? I looked at the Scout Report and saw a purple dot down in Southern Virginia. I think I'll put my gourds up today.

[Jones4381]

Seeing Canadian Geese in formation going north and tons of bluebirds this late winter. Pre nesting this week and getting ready in SW VA also. Haven't seen anything at my site or 2 others I ride by frequently. Good luck

[Badger]

Nothing in the Shenandoah Valley yet. I'm on the lookout for Tree Swallows then I know the martins won't be far behind. I also have been trapping sparrows for the last month. My gourds have been up and pre nested since January. I just need to open then when they start to arrive. I'm ready to go!!!. Good luck with yours.

[cervey1]

A Tree Swallow checked out a bird house that I have near the water. Still no Martins. Terrible weather today. I don't know if they would fly in weather like this! It's supposed to drop down to 14 degrees tonight. Burrr! Sparrows are already claiming the housing. Last year I watched the Martins struggle with the Sparrows and eventually push them out. I had nests in all 8 gourds. Unfortunately the day a friend and I were counting babies a neighbor showed up with a lot to say. My friend and I lost count so I didn't send in the results but it was a bumper year. I'd estimate 35 to 40 babies. Here's a picture from 2019 the year I started. I have two poles now, the ones the PCMA sells. My house is located not far from the location of the Purple Martin Field Day event where there is a large colony. That and being on the water and playing the Dawn Song CD every mourning and I had residents the first year. Pretty lucky I suppose from what I have read. I did give them prime real estate though. They are 25 feet from the shed and not close to any trees. Seeing this picture from 2019 gave me the same enthusiastic feeling for another season.
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[cervey1]

Still no arrivals. It can't be much longer. Soon I hope.

[Jones4381]

Nothing around here in SW VA yet either. I've visited three other large colony sites with no birds either (30+ birds each year) within 5 sq miles. Super warming trend is beginning this week.

I did have 2 additional Tree Swallows join my male who's been feeding and singing the past 10 days to attract some others (fledged 7 last year in gourd by my PM housing and got to watch that first flight). The blue birds have paired off and begun nest box checking/building around here. I'm guessing with the warming trend, Spring this Sunday, and past histories of PMCA researching, the big wave in VA is about 3-10 days away.

[cervey1]

I got home from a trip yesterday and there were two Purple Martins hovering on the patios of two gourds and ducking in and out of the gourds. It was windy and cold so perhaps they were trying to stay warm? They will have to contend with the Sparrows again this year. Last year, eventually they overtook the Sparrow's claim on the gourds. Hopefully more Martins will come soon.

[Jones4381]

Nice! I'd encourage you to expose of those HOSP's... Shootem if you can.