Said Goodbye yesterday

[LisaJ]

PM friends,
It always happens when I see the signs of my sweet PMs to go on their journey. I felt it yesterday, said my goodbyes and fly strong to my summer loves.
I had a good season again this year. Hawk got one and one egg never hatched. During “flight school” there were at least 50 beauties flying against a bright blue Texas sky. They were my morning alarm, my morning tea partners and my delight as two became a big family.
This morning was quiet. I was quiet with my tea. It will take me a few days to get used to the new normal until next year when we do it all over. It’s only been seven years for me as Landlord and I can’t thank you all enough for teaching me so much. I now am an invited speaker to elementary school kiddos to share the joy of Purple Martins.
So, I suppose this is me signing off until next February. Be well, my friends!
LisaJ

[Birdiegirl]

Lisa- right there with you. I still have a couple more nestlings to fledge, but the soundtrack each day is getting quieter and quieter. It's an odd emotion- sadness and happiness at the same time. Congratulations on your successful season, and kudos to you for sharing your passion with local students. 2025 will be here before we know it, right?

[[email protected]]

My martins left a week or so ago, but I have groups passing through. They stay on the high line and don’t mess with my house. Should I take my house down.

[C.C.Martins]

You can, some folks leave their houses up until they are well gone from North America. They are not interested in housing in our area, martins everywhere but none come by any more.

[Unk Bond]

Hello
I live in southern Ohio
My birds are leaving
Down to 9 birds

Look for any day now
For them to be gone
I know how you must feel
Its a empty feeling with me [ Later

[flyin-lowe]

A couple weeks ago I had several hundred martins here. The past few week they have started to move out and the last couple days I am seeing some come in in the evenings but only a few spending time during the day around here. I would say in another week or so I won't have any left.

[Mstan]

My last two fledged 8/8. I was blessed with a healthy Martin season. I believe 105 Martins fledged. I will leave my gourds up until the end of August. Today is the first day Martins have not been active on the gourds. I will miss them and look forward to their return next spring. I have appreciated all the comments on the forum. God bless you all.

[sawhisker]

I totally agree with you, this is always a bittersweet time of year as my sweet birds go south for the winter. I am so blessed to have them from Spring Break in March all the way to the middle of August. They warm my heart and make me smile. I still have one family of six hanging around because they had late fledglings. They will be gone soon. I will wait for all of the northern PM to migrate through before I take my houses down, clean them and store them for the winter. Then next spring, I will happily do it all again

[Unk Bond]

Hello
Well I also said good by today
Really will miss them

Lucky to have them this long
With the high heat temperature's we have been having here
I am 89 and can't recall a year that its been this hot
Reminds of Alabama weather [ Later

[Dave Reynolds]

Hello Everyone... Another great year also.. At home we had 22 pair, with 104 fledged.. And my Satellite Site "The Oxbow Golf Course" had 41 pair with 198 Fledged. My last Martin left my home site on August 4th.. But I was golfing yesterday at Oxbow golf course and I counted 24 Martins still hanging around the colony there. That is the latest I have see them staying around in here in the Southeastern Ohio Valley. Can't wait for 2024

Dave

[tor]

The last few headed south on the 11th at our site. Great season this year. Total fledged was 356, which is the highest I've seen at our colony.

[[email protected]]

How about stragglers? The bulk of the martins passed through last week. Yesterday a single showed up and has been hanging with the barn swallows. Is this guy going to make it all by himself?