Where are new landlords at this season so far?
It's windy here, like everyday it feels like !!! Pole is up but today it's half mast cuz it's 20-30mph winds. Currently vacant so wondering when the window closes for new birds? Based on the Purple Martin map the closed colony is 40m from me.
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Birdiegirl
- Posts: 362
- Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 7:03 pm
- Location: Scott County Kentucky
- Martin Colony History: Two poles: 2 T-14s and 8 gourds
2021- 1 pair, 5 fledged
2022- 11 pair, 36 fledged
2023- 20 pair, 78 fledged
2024- 32 pair, 109 fledged
2025- 34 pair, 117 fledged
2026-
Hi CT,
It sure is hard trying to build a colony. I've had one ASY male since April 5, and daily visitors (as many as five at a time) stopping in throughout the day. Currently I have 3 birds- one ASY pair (I think they have bonded), and one lone ASY male, all spending the night. There seem to be more ASY males my area than ASY females. I don't think the SYs wave has arrived yet. There are probably others on here- but I think of you, Ladybug, and Jones... all of us seem to be in similar situations! Don't get me wrong, I am extremely thankful I have these 3- I just wonder if they will stay if no others arrive. The female especially- will choose one of these two males or move on to a larger colony with more activity? It's so frustrating because the three closest landlords to me don't manage their colonies. No nest checks, no predator guards- maybe I'm trying too hard!
If you are all the way up in CT I'd say you have quite a long window for birds to keep funneling in- maybe well into late May or even June. I'd say keep playing the Dawn Song, keep starlings and house sparrows out, and most importantly... hang in there and keep hoping! That's my plan. I'm rooting for you!
It sure is hard trying to build a colony. I've had one ASY male since April 5, and daily visitors (as many as five at a time) stopping in throughout the day. Currently I have 3 birds- one ASY pair (I think they have bonded), and one lone ASY male, all spending the night. There seem to be more ASY males my area than ASY females. I don't think the SYs wave has arrived yet. There are probably others on here- but I think of you, Ladybug, and Jones... all of us seem to be in similar situations! Don't get me wrong, I am extremely thankful I have these 3- I just wonder if they will stay if no others arrive. The female especially- will choose one of these two males or move on to a larger colony with more activity? It's so frustrating because the three closest landlords to me don't manage their colonies. No nest checks, no predator guards- maybe I'm trying too hard!
If you are all the way up in CT I'd say you have quite a long window for birds to keep funneling in- maybe well into late May or even June. I'd say keep playing the Dawn Song, keep starlings and house sparrows out, and most importantly... hang in there and keep hoping! That's my plan. I'm rooting for you!
Laura
PMCA member
PMCA member
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Jones4381
- Posts: 830
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:54 pm
- Location: Southwestern VA
- Martin Colony History: 2020- 0
2021- 1 pair-5
2022- 5 pair-20
2023 34 pair-44
2024 30 pair-122
2025 54 Pair -178
Agree BirdieGirl...After my barrage of post this morning and our updates yesterday Zeus and Ellie were joined by....you guessed it...Apollo. 2nd ASY has been creating all kinds of noise and distractions for Zeus all morning. Ellie seems to be enjoying it all observing from higher up in the sky as these 2 fools chase her. Too funny that our situations continue to mirror one another. I'll let you know if Apollo hangs around overnight and see who wins her affection....Zeus was bringing in leaves from the top of a Pear tree in my backyard and Ellie was checking it out in the "Miami" gourd....then Apollo arrived. He is chirping away at a natural gourd on the opposite side of the rack (South Facing lower level "Denver" gourd I believe but will confirm the name). Hopefully more females will arrive or the gods may end up doing battle. 
Good Luck CT...I like Laura have stopped playing the dawn song as I let the PM's do the work and are much more effective. Patience and following the practices preached in here daily is all one can do imo. Good luck.
Good Luck CT...I like Laura have stopped playing the dawn song as I let the PM's do the work and are much more effective. Patience and following the practices preached in here daily is all one can do imo. Good luck.
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
Jones,
I hope you fill up and run out of names, 9 more major Greek gods to go...perhaps the romans had a few haha!
Sounds like your having a blast.
I hope you fill up and run out of names, 9 more major Greek gods to go...perhaps the romans had a few haha!
Sounds like your having a blast.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
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Jones4381
- Posts: 830
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:54 pm
- Location: Southwestern VA
- Martin Colony History: 2020- 0
2021- 1 pair-5
2022- 5 pair-20
2023 34 pair-44
2024 30 pair-122
2025 54 Pair -178
BAWAHAHA...We are...Thanks TomC.C.Martins wrote: ↑Thu Apr 28, 2022 6:41 pmJones,
I hope you fill up and run out of names, 9 more major Greek gods to go...perhaps the romans had a few haha!
Sounds like your having a blast.
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
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Birdiegirl
- Posts: 362
- Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 7:03 pm
- Location: Scott County Kentucky
- Martin Colony History: Two poles: 2 T-14s and 8 gourds
2021- 1 pair, 5 fledged
2022- 11 pair, 36 fledged
2023- 20 pair, 78 fledged
2024- 32 pair, 109 fledged
2025- 34 pair, 117 fledged
2026-
Hey CT- any activity at your site? We’re starting to see some SYs moving in, so they’re headed your way!
Laura
PMCA member
PMCA member
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Rediwill
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2016 12:06 pm
- Location: fredericksburg, va
- Martin Colony History: 2016 6/1 Pole put up late due to HOA . Had visitor birds but no pairs that stayed.
2017 3/1 visitor birds but no pairs that stayed.
2018 3/1 visitor birds but no pairs that stayed.
2019 3/1 visitor birds but no pairs that stayed. Brothers Martins didn’t show up at all at his pole 10 miles away.
2020 7/30 Had 3 pairs, 1st- 5 eggs/ 2nd hatched 2 fledged, 2nd - 5 eggs/ 2-5 hatched fledging. 3rd formed late July and no nest built.
2021 3/1 no pairs returned. One lone male hung out few days then left. Weather was bad.
2022 6/1 one pair all four eggs that hatched fledged. I’ve had 6-8 visitors.
2023 6/15 Eleven pairs 4-6 babies per nest. 51 babies total hatched. Will start fledging July 4th until end of July. I am in total shock.....Wow
Have one pair I’m expecting to start best building any day. Also have an annoying tree swallow pair that I have chased off when martins aren’t around to. Weather has been a bit up and down here in northern Virginia and it’s slowing things down. I’ve got about 45 days to get more pairs based on my 2020 pairs that laid up until June14th. I have seen 2-6 martins flying overhead and hope they call down some SY pairs. My pair leave about 7am and return by 7:15 each evening.
Red
Red
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Birdiegirl
- Posts: 362
- Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 7:03 pm
- Location: Scott County Kentucky
- Martin Colony History: Two poles: 2 T-14s and 8 gourds
2021- 1 pair, 5 fledged
2022- 11 pair, 36 fledged
2023- 20 pair, 78 fledged
2024- 32 pair, 109 fledged
2025- 34 pair, 117 fledged
2026-
Good for you for not giving up when birds didn't return last year. That's great that you've already got a pair this year- hopefully they will attract more soon! Seems like you have plenty of time based on your June 14 date. Have you had any luck putting up a box for the pesky tree swallows? Wouldn't want them to interfere with any visiting martins that stop by. Good luck to you in growing your colony.
Laura
PMCA member
PMCA member