Just about gave up!!!

[ltwalsh]

Trying to start a new colony in Sun City Center, FL. Been playing dawn song and or day time chatter since mid January without any success. Stoped playing it a few weeks back. This morning a pair showed up and are now spending the night!I know this is late in the season for down here but maybe I’ve got luck. Very excited to see activity after two months of nothing!!

[brent]

Great to hear!!! Are they SY or ASY? Brent

[C.C.Martins]

Great news! I hope they stay for you and it grows! That was pretty fast actually. Not bad.
Tom

[deancamp]

That's good news. Keep doing all the right things and you will succeed. Stay positive, maybe others will join them.

[ltwalsh]

Thanks for all the positive feed back. It is an SY male and it’s mate. They are back in for another night. Last year I had an ASY male stay for a few weeks but never got a mate despite his great efforts. Maybe he’s back? What ever over the top that I might get a mating couple this year!

[deancamp]

Very exciting! Keep us posted as to if your pair is able to pull in some others to put your colony in full swing.

[C.C.Martins]

I'd imagine you are! I'd like to think that's your guy. Those ASY males are quite a draw for other martins, don't be surprised if he is a good advocate for you and draws in others.
Take good care of them, sounds like your colony is forming!

[ltwalsh]

Tom he’s working very very hard to grow the colony. Brings visitors in on a regular basis. Maybe some of them will stay.

Again thanks everyone for your support and encouragement!!

Larry

[ltwalsh]

Update: pair is doing quite well have a very nice nest already built and I imagine eggs will be soon based on their progress. Many other visitors but so far these are the only ones staying.

Looking good and again thanks for all the encouragement and support!!

[deancamp]

That's great news Larry! I'm not familiar with your area but maybe still have a shot at some sy birds.... Regardless, you got your start.

[C.C.Martins]

Larry,
That is fantastic, care for them; they could very well start your colony. Something about those males draws them in. Sometimes the older male will be the father to a younger pairs clutch, her way of trying to get the best and strongest genes. Younger male does all the work from then on.

[ltwalsh]

We have babies!! Not sure how many right now but the parents are doing their job keeping them fed. Will wait until they are older to get a count.

Thanks again for all your positive feed back and support!!

Larry

[C.C.Martins]

Congrats Larry! Keep them safe!

[Kegger]

nice going Larry, good that you hung in there, congrats Mike

[Birdiegirl]

A big BIG congratulations to you! I too am a landlord with just one pair.. and I have a LOT of emotional energy tied to it. Enjoy your success- for new martins and the start of your colony!

[deancamp]

Thanks for keeping us up to date and congratulations. It won't hurt anything if you want to have a look at the babies now. They grow fast!

[ltwalsh]

I did take a peek and saw babies but they are small and mama has them covered pretty well in the nest.

[ltwalsh]

Update:

We have 4 babies and mom and dad are doing well keeping them fed. Observed a crow attach today. House is well protected and babies cannot be reached but still shocked me. Ran out to kill the SOB but he flew away with 3 martins on his butt!

Actually had an eastern blue bird pair starting to build a nest on the other side of the house but haven’t seen them
In a few days.

A little birdie told me I might be getting a blue bird house for my birthday which is Sunday. If so I’ll have it up soon.

[flyin-lowe]

I have heard on here of crows raiding nests but fortunately I have never seen it in person.

[ltwalsh]

Had a colony in Illinois for over a decade and never a crow issue. Talked to.a neighbor here in FL who told me her entire colony was destroyed by crows a few years ago. Must be a regional thing?