Martin Colony History: 2009-2015-Helped to manage Raleigh site, 36 cavities 2016- 33 pairs at Raleigh site, 1 pair at home site. 2017- 34 pairs at Raleigh site, 3 pairs + extra SYs at home site 2018- 33 pairs at Raleigh site, 5 pairs + extra SYs at home site 2019 - 32 pairs at Raleigh site, 7 pairs at home site, 2 pairs at new Holly Springs park site
I was having a conversation with our federally-licensed bird bander who bands martins here in NC and it occurred to me that it would be very handy to have a list of everyone in the US and Canada that bands martins in one easy-to-read list as well as what color band(s) they are using. Think how neat it would be if you sighted a banded martin at your place with a color band/federal band and knew generally where it came from, even without the use of a spotting scope. If you are a bander or know someone who is banding martins, please add your comment below this post. I'll start.
We band with a plain plastic red color band on one leg (that tends to fade to pink over time, hah) and the silver federal aluminum band on the other leg here in NC. Those martins are banded in Wake county, NC at one of 2 sites in Raleigh.
I'm going to cross-post this on the Facebook groups, too, so please comment on one or the other so we can compile a useful list. Thanks!
It would be exciting to find a banded martin in my colony some day. I wonder if the PMCA office would be able to help with your request? PMCA staff members probably have a good idea about who is banding and what color combinations are used in various states. I'm not aware of anyone banding martins in Kentucky.
Thanks!