Fly by or Colony Member

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
glfriend
Posts: 109
Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2020 6:55 pm
Location: Virginia
Martin Colony History: 2021- First Colony 8 Pairs 37 eggs 15 Fledged
2022- 12 Pairs 62 Eggs 45 hatched 45 Fledged

So this is my second year to have a colony. Last year I had 8 pairs 15 fledging . Thee first came in first week of April. This year on March 25 a adult male (after second year) showed up just in the morning but did not stay. A week later he showed up again with three compartments opened up. He did not stay . I check periodically and have not seen him since this past Monday. He does not appear to come back in evening. My thoughts....I think this scout does not belong to the ones I had last year but a scout from another colony which is no longer there . I understand they will wait around up to 15 days before they move on. Anyone have other thoughts??
Top
Kegger
Posts: 381
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2019 8:58 am
Location: Awesome Florida
Martin Colony History: 2020: 2 pair of SY with 4 eggs ,fledge 7
2021: 5 pair 25 eggs fledge 18, 4 egg 2nd brood attempt
2022: 13 pair 61 eggs fledge 56 added 11 cavs. now 22 total
2023 15 pair 75 eggs fledge 51 only 3 of 11 eggs hatched cavity 10
2024 11 pair 50 eggs fledge
26. 1 renest cav1, cav10 8 eggs 8 fledged 2 couples ASY and Sy

I have had them come and go for a few days, then return to stay and bring more with them. Good chance that ASY male is returning back to your place. 8)
Top
flyin-lowe
Posts: 3792
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
Location: Indiana/Henry Co.

Martins can act weird. At my old colony when my first martins would show up they would be around for a day, then I would not see them for several days then they would re-appear. This happened every year I had martin there. At my current location I have not seen this behavior, usually when they show up they start spending the night right away. If the weather is nice when they arrive I don't see them much during they day, I assume they spend a lot of time out feeding after their migration. This year I have returnees right now and high temps the last couple days are in the 30's so they are hanging around all day.
2026 HOSP 29
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.
Top
glfriend
Posts: 109
Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2020 6:55 pm
Location: Virginia
Martin Colony History: 2021- First Colony 8 Pairs 37 eggs 15 Fledged
2022- 12 Pairs 62 Eggs 45 hatched 45 Fledged

Our temperatures here have been low 30's at night and wind gusts up to 15 Mph. Last night 27. I have not seen him this week. Another established colony a mile from me said he has not seen his 4 PM's in three days (they showed up on March 26th . If they show up I intend to go over and try supplemental feeding. I think they are searching for food
Top
Kegger
Posts: 381
Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2019 8:58 am
Location: Awesome Florida
Martin Colony History: 2020: 2 pair of SY with 4 eggs ,fledge 7
2021: 5 pair 25 eggs fledge 18, 4 egg 2nd brood attempt
2022: 13 pair 61 eggs fledge 56 added 11 cavs. now 22 total
2023 15 pair 75 eggs fledge 51 only 3 of 11 eggs hatched cavity 10
2024 11 pair 50 eggs fledge
26. 1 renest cav1, cav10 8 eggs 8 fledged 2 couples ASY and Sy

I think lack of bugs and temperatures here in SW Florida when my 1st males appeared January 24 caused them to fly 100 miles
or so south to the Everglades where temps were probably 5 or so degrees warmer for a few days 8)
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Purple Martin Forum”