The end of an amazing era. 3 cheers to Buddy.

[Doug Martin - PA]

The past 10 years I have been graced by the presence of a truly amazing bird. His name is Buddy and he first made himself known in 2013 as a sub-adult male that dethroned my colony founder by ousting him from his perennial east facing gourd late in the season. This founding male always kept 2 gourds....one for him and one for the family. This sub-adult just wouldn't give up and drove him to the ground so many times it made me cringe.

The following year in 2014 when the lakes and ponds were all still frozen in Western PA an adult male came weeks before all the others. He endured the most brutal cold weeks we have ever had in March here and willingly took crickets at the neighboring site as I was away for the first few days he showed up. We took turns feeding him crickets that year and somehow he survived temperatures near zero at night and highs in the teens for a few weeks.

Weeks later when the others began to arrive he took hold in that east facing gourd. No one was taking it from him. He went on to become my alpha male of my colony. He would arrive each March for years well ahead of the pack. We would celebrate each year when he arrived with open arms and wings and plenty of hand tossed crickets.

There was only one year in 2019 that he was not the first to arrive and take up his usual position on that certain gourd rack in that east facing gourd. . That year he must have been pushed to the limits of death as he arrived in horrible condition much later in March. He had no voice most that entire season. Only a squeak. I fed him with crickets dipped in rehab powder and he survived..... once again.

The past 2 years he has been a record setter with his early arrivals. I have been able to sit out waiting for him to show up on strong south winds. Almost like ESP I knew when he was coming. Last year was March 6th. Exactly 3 weeks ahead of any other birds of his colony. He will almost take a cricket right off my hand, but usually a toss of a foot or so did the trick. Most of the days he spent in March were certainly way too cold to feed naturally. It was a chore to feed him daily...... but a loving one at that. Even my wife learned to toss crickets to Buddy from the porch while I was at work. I would go home at lunch time just to get him his mid day meal. What a bird Buddy has been over the years.

I don't have a birth certificate and he wasn't banded, so I have no real proof of his age. But when I look back at my prior posts and my notes this would be his 11th year. Somehow that ESP has disappeared however and it's getting awful late in March. He really showed his age last year so it is unlikely he has survived another one. I keep looking out the window for him in the snow showers because I'm used to him being there. But at least there are no worries for him during these past frigid nights.

I guess we will see what happens, but Buddy is late by his standards. It has been an amazing 10 years +and I miss him. He was like a pet during March. So, 3 cheers for Buddy. The early bird that got the cricket. A famous one at that!

Doug

[Thomas Maddox]

What a great story! Thanks for sharing. Hopefully, Buddy is in route as well!

[ToyinPA]

Great story Doug. I hope he's just late & not gone.

Toy in PA

[Martintown33]

Great story Doug.. 3 cheers for buddy for sure… what a great friendship and connection between man and bird..
wonderful!
Rob

[C.C.Martins]

Three cheers for Buddy, a real survivor. A bird with lots of character, one of the family. Hope he shows Doug.
Tom

[Jones4381]

Thank you for sharing the bond you two have and a well told story of perseverance and adoration. Cheers to you both!

[Kegger]

thanks for sharing this Doug. Hope he shows for some crickets soon. 3 cheers to Buddy!! over the last few
years I have enjoyed your writings of Buddy!

[MKaye]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful story of Buddy. Warms my heart. Kaye

[CTMartins]

Hopefully he's just stuck in traffic. It does leave a hole when you loss animal friends.

[Kuemic]

Wow, Doug, what an amazing story about Buddy and a real testament to your love of, and dedication to purple martins! We have bluebirds nesting every year, but for me, there's nothing to compare to the anticipation, excitement, and attachment we feel towards our purple martins. Your relationship with Buddy is so inspiring, thank you for sharing.

[Doug Martin - PA]

Thanks for all your kind replies.

Finally getting some spring weather today in Pennsylvania. But it sure is an empty feeling too.

Still hoping he comes in for another season, but this is highly unusual that he isn't here already.

I will report in as things progress.

Doug

[deancamp]

To Buddy and his landlord.

[cabin man]

Cool ! Congratulations on your special bond . There’s nothing like interacting with nature.

[Ryan]

Thanks for posting Doug. Your posts are always great. It's inspiring how you've grown that colony from nothing years back and you get the payoff of being able to watch and bond with the birds now after years of an empty site. So good.

[Doug Martin - PA]

Well... better late then never!

It was 36 degrees out this morning but I still put the jacket and hat on and had coffee out on the porch anyway. Was thinking Buddy still may have a chance to come in this year. Yesterday was a great day to migrate.

Just about the time I was thinking it was March 24th and still a bit early and possible for an arrival it happened.

At 9:30 AM I heard that first tone of a very familiar sound. That scratchy, raspy chirp that Buddy had since he lost his voice a few years ago. Could it be?

Then I heard it again getting closer and closer coming from the south. Yep it was a Martin alright. Celebrating the end of a long journey.

Soon it was in sight. I stood at the edge of the porch rail and did my typical arrival wave with arms extended overhead. He continued to call out high in the sky.

He dove down from the sky to greet me and I yelled welcome home! After 3 dives and a few hand toss motions I went inside to get some crickets. But when I came out he had disappeared. Hmmm where did he go?

After scanning the skies for a while and wondering what I had seen, I went to Buddy's gourd rack and clicked the winch down a few clicks. Out a Martin flew from that east facing gourd. He circled around and I tossed him a few crickets.

Looks like Buddy made it back again! He didn't set any records this year, but he sure warmed my heart and put a smile on my face. Let another season begin!

WELCOME HOME BUDDY!

[C.C.Martins]

HOORAY!!!!!! Man, thought doom and gloom! Oh thats great and you were there to welcome him!!!
Wonderful news, that sir is worthy of PMCA landlord letter, consider it...connecting with your Buddy.
Congrats on his return!
Tom

[Doug Martin - PA]

Yes that gloomy feeling is completely gone!

Thinking you all helped to wish him back again! Amazing bird!

[paule]

I sure enjoyed following this thread and am overjoyed that Buddy made it home. I can relate to many of the things as my "Buddy" was named John after my departed father. John the bird has been really missed for four years now.

[Kuemic]

Wow, Wow, Wow!! So happy for you and Buddy!! Hope you have a wonderful season!

[sugarcreek]

This is awesome and thanks for sharing....Watching wildlife can be so cruel sometimes and break our hearts....But here's to your special friend.