Update at my Colony - Palm City, FL

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mjfog
Posts: 443
Joined: Sat Dec 30, 2017 3:40 pm
Location: Palm City, FL
Martin Colony History: 2018 will be my first try. 6 S&K B09s. 29 eggs - 8 fledged
2019 - 12 Troyer Horizontals with tunnels, 6 S&K B09s and 12 B011s all with tunnels. 43 eggs - 36 fledged
2020 - Rack 1 - 6 B011s, Rack 2 - 24 B011s, and Rack 3 - 24 Troyer Horizontals. All gourds have tunnels, porches and crescent/Conley 11 entrances; racks have predator guards. 161 eggs - 88 fledged.
2021 - 54 gourds-214 eggs, 184 hatched, 168 fledged.
2022 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 363 eggs, 294 hatched, 278 fledged.
2023 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 321 eggs, 276 hatched, 246 fledged.
2024 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 330 eggs, 283 hatched, 250 fledged.
2025 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 347 eggs, 281 hatched, 266 fledged.

Hello to all
After posting a single ASY male above my colony on 12/27/23 events around my colony have slowed. I check the skies daily in the late afternoon looking for martins but no sightings until 5 January when I saw 2 birds - a ASY male and one other martin with a gray front. The next day I spotted a single martin but it was too high for me to distinguish male-female. Thought I would get "lucky" this evening but no; no martins on the 7th. Did see a male Coopers land in a pine tree on my property as I was walking from my colony. What a hunter this species is. My martins better be ready!
Any "incomers" to other southern colony keepers? I see some activity over in my home state of Louisiana. Wishing all a successful season and a healthy New Year.
Happy Martining, Mike
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Phil01
Posts: 346
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:42 pm
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Martin Colony History: 52 Cavities offered.
24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. K-18 gourd rack all Troyer Horizontal Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.

2020- 1 pair, 4 eggs, fledged 3
2021- 3 pair, 15 eggs, fledged 8
2022- 5 pair, 26 eggs, fledged 21
2023- 10 pair, 53 eggs, fledged 27
2024- 26 pair, 125 eggs, fledged 83
2025- 32 pair, 182 eggs, fledged 134
2026- Added a Troyer K-18 all Troyer Horizontal.
PMCA Member

Hi Mike! Congrats on seeing Martins so early in the season. Still no sightings up my way in Fernandina Beach, but I’m quite a ways north up the coast from you. Mine don’t usually show up till the second week of Feb. Past two years was same day, Feb 16th. Last year 10 minutes earlier than the previous year… Crazy! Their migrating instinct and timing amazes me!
Was gonna put everything up this past week but we had some lousy weather and tomorrow is supposed to be extra nasty, so unless I see a Martin the plan is to get everything up, prenested and plugged this coming weekend.
Good luck this season, keep us posted on your arrivals!
Phil
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
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mjfog
Posts: 443
Joined: Sat Dec 30, 2017 3:40 pm
Location: Palm City, FL
Martin Colony History: 2018 will be my first try. 6 S&K B09s. 29 eggs - 8 fledged
2019 - 12 Troyer Horizontals with tunnels, 6 S&K B09s and 12 B011s all with tunnels. 43 eggs - 36 fledged
2020 - Rack 1 - 6 B011s, Rack 2 - 24 B011s, and Rack 3 - 24 Troyer Horizontals. All gourds have tunnels, porches and crescent/Conley 11 entrances; racks have predator guards. 161 eggs - 88 fledged.
2021 - 54 gourds-214 eggs, 184 hatched, 168 fledged.
2022 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 363 eggs, 294 hatched, 278 fledged.
2023 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 321 eggs, 276 hatched, 246 fledged.
2024 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 330 eggs, 283 hatched, 250 fledged.
2025 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 347 eggs, 281 hatched, 266 fledged.

Hello to all - Had two martins swing into my colony last evening, the 8th. One went into an upper gourd on Rack 1 and the second into an upper gourd on Rack 2. This evening I had 3 birds; all entering gourds. Things are picking up!
Happing Martining, Mike
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GeneP
Posts: 525
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:35 am
Location: Kansas, Lawrence
Martin Colony History: 1 gourd rack with 24 gourd capacity. 2018, my 11th year hosting martins.
18 pair in 2017.

Congrats people! The season has begun and you've brought spring to those of us who have just received 6 inches of snow with more expected in a couple of days. Enjoy and thanks for the updates. Hope you have a great season.
PMCA Member, Single Gourd Rack, 2019 marks 12 years hosting martins.
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SSMartin
Posts: 463
Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2019 6:05 pm
Location: FL

I am just north of Sebastian FL. I had a pair on 12/30. Just noticed this morning 1/10 there’s at least one more male on site. I have a feeling the numbers will climb steadily in the next few days. It’s 56f here and they are in no rush to leave this morning.

Image
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mjfog
Posts: 443
Joined: Sat Dec 30, 2017 3:40 pm
Location: Palm City, FL
Martin Colony History: 2018 will be my first try. 6 S&K B09s. 29 eggs - 8 fledged
2019 - 12 Troyer Horizontals with tunnels, 6 S&K B09s and 12 B011s all with tunnels. 43 eggs - 36 fledged
2020 - Rack 1 - 6 B011s, Rack 2 - 24 B011s, and Rack 3 - 24 Troyer Horizontals. All gourds have tunnels, porches and crescent/Conley 11 entrances; racks have predator guards. 161 eggs - 88 fledged.
2021 - 54 gourds-214 eggs, 184 hatched, 168 fledged.
2022 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 363 eggs, 294 hatched, 278 fledged.
2023 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 321 eggs, 276 hatched, 246 fledged.
2024 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 330 eggs, 283 hatched, 250 fledged.
2025 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 347 eggs, 281 hatched, 266 fledged.

Hello to all - Five overhead this afternoon. My birds are rolling in.
Happy Martining, Mike
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Stingray
Posts: 426
Joined: Wed May 11, 2005 9:45 pm
Location: Plantation/Florida
Martin Colony History: 2005 to present

Congrats to all!
I had my first arrivals yesterday and
am looking forward to a good season.

Best wishes everyone! 👍
Have a great season!


Plantation, Florida
PMCA member
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mjfog
Posts: 443
Joined: Sat Dec 30, 2017 3:40 pm
Location: Palm City, FL
Martin Colony History: 2018 will be my first try. 6 S&K B09s. 29 eggs - 8 fledged
2019 - 12 Troyer Horizontals with tunnels, 6 S&K B09s and 12 B011s all with tunnels. 43 eggs - 36 fledged
2020 - Rack 1 - 6 B011s, Rack 2 - 24 B011s, and Rack 3 - 24 Troyer Horizontals. All gourds have tunnels, porches and crescent/Conley 11 entrances; racks have predator guards. 161 eggs - 88 fledged.
2021 - 54 gourds-214 eggs, 184 hatched, 168 fledged.
2022 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 363 eggs, 294 hatched, 278 fledged.
2023 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 321 eggs, 276 hatched, 246 fledged.
2024 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 330 eggs, 283 hatched, 250 fledged.
2025 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 347 eggs, 281 hatched, 266 fledged.

Hello to All, Up to 12 birds now. In my "watching chair" yesterday around 5PM and around 5.45 my birds presented themselves in a "squadron" allowing me an accurate count as they hit the racks and entered the gourds. Getting an "exact" count above 12 birds is beyond my pay grade; too much dipping and diving. Weather here in south Florida has been dismal the last few days. Cloudy and drizzling; temps in the 60s; weather folks up north would be praying for! Anyway, rainy conditions are gonna keep me from my afternoon observations at least until Wednesday PM and I hope by then counting accurately will be impossible - too many birds I hope.
Happy Martining, Mike
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Dave Reynolds
Posts: 2441
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged

Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged

... mjfog. ,, Great to hear... Congratulations to you and your new arrivals,, :grin:

Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
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Phil01
Posts: 346
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:42 pm
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Martin Colony History: 52 Cavities offered.
24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. K-18 gourd rack all Troyer Horizontal Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.

2020- 1 pair, 4 eggs, fledged 3
2021- 3 pair, 15 eggs, fledged 8
2022- 5 pair, 26 eggs, fledged 21
2023- 10 pair, 53 eggs, fledged 27
2024- 26 pair, 125 eggs, fledged 83
2025- 32 pair, 182 eggs, fledged 134
2026- Added a Troyer K-18 all Troyer Horizontal.
PMCA Member

Mike, great news, congrats on more of your birds showing up! I’m with you on counting them. Once it’s in the 20’s they lose me! But it’s fun trying every time! lol I’m sure my neighbors think I’m nuts!
Put everything up yesterday so ready in Fernandina.
Good luck sir,
Phil
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
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sle62
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed May 03, 2023 6:09 pm
Location: Palm Beach County

That's great Mike. I'm down the road about 30 miles from you in Jupiter and saw the first last week, then a male and female flying overhead Sunday and today, the two went into a condo for quite a while. Not sure if mating would be starting this early, but maybe!! And Phil, I am sure my neighbors think I'm a bit off my wagon, as I was yelling to them in the sky and welcoming them back. It's quite fun being "the crazy bird lady", lol!!
Susan

Happy Purple Martin Landlord since 2021
PMCA Member
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Phil01
Posts: 346
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:42 pm
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Martin Colony History: 52 Cavities offered.
24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. K-18 gourd rack all Troyer Horizontal Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.

2020- 1 pair, 4 eggs, fledged 3
2021- 3 pair, 15 eggs, fledged 8
2022- 5 pair, 26 eggs, fledged 21
2023- 10 pair, 53 eggs, fledged 27
2024- 26 pair, 125 eggs, fledged 83
2025- 32 pair, 182 eggs, fledged 134
2026- Added a Troyer K-18 all Troyer Horizontal.
PMCA Member

sle62,
“The crazy bird lady”? Don’t all landlords talk to their birds and welcome them back? Seems like perfectly normal behavior to me… lol
Congrats on your new arrivals! Wishing you a great 2024 season!
Phil
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
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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 put up a house yesterday , had 3 circling Wednesday and diving down on my site. 8)
To the golf course tomorrow for some pine straw.
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