Finally, after 6 years......
I am here to share that I finally have a pair of martins who are here! I didn't want to say anything too soon for fear of jinxing myself. I've jumped the gun before only to be disappointed when they didn't stay. If you remember, I had martins many years ago but for whatever reason, they didn't return one year and I've been praying and wishing and hoping for martins ever since. I finally put my T-14s to rest and only use them for the purpose of catching sparrows now. I moved to a different area of the yard and put up a gourd rack 6 years ago. I had little luck - only having one 2nd year male stay for a month but not being successful in attracting a female so he eventually left. I may have put that rack too close to a tree altho I thought it was far enough away. So then 3 years ago I put up a 2nd rack a little further away from the first rack and the tree and still - no luck. I always had visitors but none of them ever stayed, much to my dismay. I'm sure many of you know the feelings of disappointment and discouragement. Well, a friend of mine, Russ Hefty, suggested I try moving even further away from the tree - so I bit the bullet and decided I would try ONE LAST EFFORT to attract them. I know last year someone here reminded me that it just takes the right pair to like the accommodations here to stay. I had, eventually, switched to SREHs and it always seemed like none of the visitors would ever enter any of the gourds except the one fella that stayed for that one month and I think I actually still had round holes yet at that time. Every year I would say to my friends who were also hoping for martins - that hopefully this will be our year to get them. And every year we never did. But this year I am so happy - beyond happy, actually - to tell you that I have a pair and they have 5 eggs. I think it's safe to say they will be staying now. The first egg was laid on Father's Day so around July 4thish there should be 5 babies - I hope and pray. I just wake up every morning with a much happier heart and seem to be in a much better mood all day long and smile more for no reason and I think it's because I finally have an answered prayer to have martins again. I just want to thank ALL of you here who were supportive of my many questions and encouraging me to continue and not give up. And thanks to Russ who suggested I try one more time. Not sure that's the reason they came and stayed but I'll definitely give him the full credit for it. PTL!!!
Billie from southern Wisconsin
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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
Fantastic! Congratulations and looking forward to the continuing story. Happy days and summer ahead for you.
"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-
Congratulations Billie! Your perseverance paid off- so very happy for you. I remember the joy of my first pair and there's just nothing quite like it. Enjoy 
Laura
PMCA member
PMCA member
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MY FYN 79
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:58 pm
- Location: Chilton Wisconsin
- Martin Colony History: 2019 - Sighting
2020 - Pair investigating
2021 - Got 2 eggs. HOSPs poked holes in them. Commence HOSP reduction
2022 - Off to a good start, tree swallows took over and Martins left
2023 - Off to a good start, Martin population dwindled and they eventually left
2024 - New standalone pole and gourd rack. 1 nest, 4 eggs, none hatched
2025 - 9 nests, 37 eggs, 23 hatched, 19 fledged!
Congrats Billie!
Glad the time and effort paid off. Hopefully the young do well and come back for years to come!
Glad the time and effort paid off. Hopefully the young do well and come back for years to come!
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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
Gratz. It only gets better.
I started in 2017 and had a visitor but no pair until a few years later. I just kept at it even during no show years and thought I might never get a pole site in the middle of a bunch of single family homes to work. I had two big adult males return to my pole after 1-2 pairs last year and I’m shocked to have 11 pairs and 51 babies. It can happen for you too. Just think of all the sunrises you saw while playing the dawn song while freezing your butt off. Ha. I wish you best of luck and never give up.
Red
I started in 2017 and had a visitor but no pair until a few years later. I just kept at it even during no show years and thought I might never get a pole site in the middle of a bunch of single family homes to work. I had two big adult males return to my pole after 1-2 pairs last year and I’m shocked to have 11 pairs and 51 babies. It can happen for you too. Just think of all the sunrises you saw while playing the dawn song while freezing your butt off. Ha. I wish you best of luck and never give up.
Red