Big Numbers this year?

Jones4381 · Sun Mar 06, 2022 7:06 am

I'm manifesting and expecting big numbers this Spring. Question; when do your first arrivals first appear at your colony Morning, midday, or afternoon? Do you see them or hear them first? Do you open all housing or just a limited number of cavities?

Badger · Sun Mar 06, 2022 7:44 am

There is no time that I see them first. Just when I start seeing activity at the housing is when I keep A sharp eye out. I normally see Tree Swallows first then the Martins are close behind. When I think the Martins are getting close I''ll open about 4 gourds. I have 48 gourds and it's easier to keep unwanted birds out of 4 than 48. As soon as I see Martin activity then I'll open 4 on my 2nd pole. Then when I see 6 or so hanging around I'll open more. As the birds increase I open more. And its not to long after that I open all gourds up. Do not let the other birds nest in your housing. Last year my first came March 25 but I'm looking for them to come earlier this year if the weather stays mild. Good luck with yours. . . .

C.C.Martins · Sun Mar 06, 2022 8:17 am

Jones,
Ill typically see that first martin in the late afternoon when it comes in; I dont know if they arrived in the am, mid day cuz of work. Irregardless; evening when they are coming in is the best indication for me. So when you expect those martins, spend time outside, both watching and listening. Rarely is a martin totally silent when it makes a dive for the house, if a martin has come with another martin they call each other, can't miss it.

Open a limited number of cavities, one they nested in last year and ones you can defend against sparrows.
Hope you fill up.

deancamp · Sun Mar 06, 2022 10:38 am

If I'm outside, I always hear them before seeing them. My wife normally notifies me in the morning when I'm at work they have arrived back. I don't have a large sparrow problem and have Conley ll entrances that keep the starlings at bay. After they start arriving good I will put up my Trio Duracraft Castle that has round holes. I noticed a starling trying to get into my gourds this morning so I opened up a house for him.

mwren · Sun Mar 06, 2022 11:28 am

Jeff,
Looks like a volunteer for the underwater distance swimming contest.

Bird

deancamp · Sun Mar 06, 2022 11:52 am

Haha can't lie, that's actually a picture from past years but the only one I had to make my point. Usually give them a good neck stretching.

Jones4381 · Sun Mar 06, 2022 5:10 pm

Thank you guys..nothing today except the 3 Red-Tails going at one another...crows at a distance...no Bald Eagle today like Sat..Saw a really cool Woodpecker that I've not seen before (got to look it up tonight)...hoping for Purple Martins before I depart to FL for the next 4 days...hate leaving the rack unattended and depending on the wife....Great lady...just don't worry about any damn birds as thats for sure...LOL...Wishing everyone a great week and I'm expecting plentiful Martins in the next 7-14 days up here.

C.C.Martins · Sun Mar 06, 2022 5:24 pm

Bald eagle? Good gosh how lucky! 2 years ago we went to Anchorage Alaska for my sons wedding, expected to see bald eagles, moose and maybe a bear. Drove all over the place....nada.
Sounds like your airspace is ramping up, hope when u get back you are able to add martins to your sightings!

Jones4381 · Sun Mar 06, 2022 5:44 pm

C.C.Martins wrote: ↑
Sun Mar 06, 2022 5:24 pm
Bald eagle? Good gosh how lucky! 2 years ago we went to Anchorage Alaska for my sons wedding, expected to see bald eagles, moose and maybe a bear. Drove all over the place....nada.
Sounds like your airspace is ramping up, hope when u get back you are able to add martins to your sightings!

Yeah..it was a spiritual moment for me tbh with you. I'm intending on making a post about it but I haven't found the right words from thought to paper to do it real justice yet...Burned in my memory forever though...Glad to see the Bald Eagle making such a strong comeback the last 25 years and hoping for it becomes common in the near future. Yes the skies are very active the last 5 days.

Dave Reynolds · Sun Mar 06, 2022 7:47 pm

.... Jones4381 ... I usually hear his call and then see the First Martin in the morning.. They always announce themselves when they arrive... It’s like they are saying “Where Back”.

Dave

Dave Reynolds · Sun Mar 06, 2022 8:03 pm

mwren wrote: ↑
Sun Mar 06, 2022 11:28 am
Jeff,
Looks like a volunteer for the underwater distance swimming contest.

Bird

..
.
.... Hey Mike. ,,,, Glad to see you on the Forum today... Have you started putting up your gourds on the T-14’s or did you leave them out all winter... I know you getting ready.... yell at me when the first one shows up..

Dave