Seeing the first martin back never ceases to amaze me. He went all the way to South America and flew back to the gourds he nested in last year. About 5pm, I installed half of my gourds then stuck around to see if any would return. I was not disappointed as a single silent male showed up feeding above the site. He entered the gourd at high speed. If they know how to navigate the owl guards, I always think he was here last year.
This will be the 10th year for this colony site. The first 6 years they arrived earlier each year until the 6th year on February 1st. That was the year of the deep freeze, and I lost 8 birds. After that they started a new string of arriving earlier than the prior year until today's January 31st. I hope he survives.
This will be the 53rd year for me hosting a colony.
It never ceases to amaze me
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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!
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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
Congrats on your first arrival of the season sir! It is truly amazing how they make that magnificent migration then come soaring in strong, no big deal, like they came back from feeding for the day! Remarkable!
You’ve been hosting Martins dang near as long as I’ve been on this planet! lol
Wishing you a great season!
Phil
You’ve been hosting Martins dang near as long as I’ve been on this planet! lol
Wishing you a great season!
Phil
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
Fernandina Beach, FL
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
Gary,
Congrats sir!!! First arrivals are magical, timing for your arrival and you putting up the gourds is first class. Im glad he is home.
53 years!! Man, thats great. You have put a lot of martins in the air.
Hope your season is an awesome one!
Best,
Tom
Congrats sir!!! First arrivals are magical, timing for your arrival and you putting up the gourds is first class. Im glad he is home.
53 years!! Man, thats great. You have put a lot of martins in the air.
Hope your season is an awesome one!
Best,
Tom
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
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Mstan
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2024 7:52 pm
- Location: Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2023- 2 racks. 24 gourds
2024- 2 racks.28 gourds. 100 fledged
2025- 3 racks. 24 gourds,6 chirpy nest.105 fledged.
53 years hosting Martins! That’s great. I am in my third year as a landlord and waiting for the return of my first Martin. Located in Farmington,Mo. my arrival date starts mid March. I hope everyone has a bumper year with the Martins.
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3788
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
After 53 years, the number of martins you are responsible for would be an astounding number if you calculate those offspring, and then each their offspring, etc...
2026 HOSP 26
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
Saw my first yesterday, may have already been around just not seeing them while I'm at work, I was literally working on one of my racks when I heard him. He seems to favor the top left apartment of the front of my s&k house, but saw him checking out others. Earliest arrival I've ever had.
Funny, I lady down the street grows gourds and I reached out to her for a few, when she saw me first thing she said was "I was expected someone in their 70s"
Funny, I lady down the street grows gourds and I reached out to her for a few, when she saw me first thing she said was "I was expected someone in their 70s"
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G Saner
- Posts: 256
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2013 3:37 pm
- Location: TX/Kerrville
- Martin Colony History: Fort Worth, TX (1967-1976), The Colony, TX (1981-1985), Carrollton, TX (1986-2013), Kerrville, TX (2015-present).
Two SuperGourd poles (12 gourds on each) at River Point Assisted Living Center.
All,
Thank you for your kind comments. I think we are all raising martins for future landlords. For instance, almost all of the martins that nested in my colonies were provided by someone who preceded me. We just enjoy them while we are here and pass the offspring on to someone else to enjoy.
Through mentoring, I have met a lot of landlords. All of them were great people. We all belong to a hidden in the backyard fraternity. Maybe we should develop a secret handshake.
Thank you for your kind comments. I think we are all raising martins for future landlords. For instance, almost all of the martins that nested in my colonies were provided by someone who preceded me. We just enjoy them while we are here and pass the offspring on to someone else to enjoy.
Through mentoring, I have met a lot of landlords. All of them were great people. We all belong to a hidden in the backyard fraternity. Maybe we should develop a secret handshake.
G Saner
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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.
Wow! 53 years. Kudos to you. I'm only land lording since 2018 but the thrill of seeing your arrivals each year is always a joy.
Happy Martining, Mike
Happy Martining, Mike
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
Excellent post. Yes, it amazes me every year to see it all begin again. The fact that many do this epic round trip year after year is amazing. I had well over 60 young fledges last year, I’m sure less than half make it back here. Truly amazing.
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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
.. G. Saner …. Sounds like your in for another wonderful season.. Great it hear they have returned for ya already.. Hold em down there for a few extra weeks for me, still to cool up here in Southeastern Ohio…. Enjoy your season..
Dave
Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio
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Martintown33
- Posts: 1366
- Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
- Location: Laplace,La
- Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack
Congrats on your first arrival! 53 years ! You’ve helped many new martins make the same trip your new arrival just made! Awesome! I thought I’ve been doing it a long time at 27 years… you got me beat by a mile! Congrats..
Rob
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
Laplace, La
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G Saner
- Posts: 256
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2013 3:37 pm
- Location: TX/Kerrville
- Martin Colony History: Fort Worth, TX (1967-1976), The Colony, TX (1981-1985), Carrollton, TX (1986-2013), Kerrville, TX (2015-present).
Two SuperGourd poles (12 gourds on each) at River Point Assisted Living Center.
My colony is several miles from my home, so I do not always know what is happening on a daily basis. This evening, I visited to get a count and was surprised to find 7 martins already back.
Sometimes, I believe that area colonies that do not raise their housing until later, have their earliest arrivals roost in my gourds. These birds then leave when their site has been raised. Seven martins seems a little high for February 6th.
Sometimes, I believe that area colonies that do not raise their housing until later, have their earliest arrivals roost in my gourds. These birds then leave when their site has been raised. Seven martins seems a little high for February 6th.
G Saner
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
With 53 years of experience, you may have something there.
Martins like their own company, why wouldn't they? They sure stop at our place along their migration, then gone.
Down the street from the preserve was a martin house at some small condos. Plastic barn, sparrows, no real management. Anyway this year they they have not put it up. No idea how many years its been up...5 I know of. We have 6 martins at the preserve, perhaps, just perhaps some of these guys are waiting. If they don't put it up, maybe they will stay.
Martins like their own company, why wouldn't they? They sure stop at our place along their migration, then gone.
Down the street from the preserve was a martin house at some small condos. Plastic barn, sparrows, no real management. Anyway this year they they have not put it up. No idea how many years its been up...5 I know of. We have 6 martins at the preserve, perhaps, just perhaps some of these guys are waiting. If they don't put it up, maybe they will stay.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
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G Saner
- Posts: 256
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2013 3:37 pm
- Location: TX/Kerrville
- Martin Colony History: Fort Worth, TX (1967-1976), The Colony, TX (1981-1985), Carrollton, TX (1986-2013), Kerrville, TX (2015-present).
Two SuperGourd poles (12 gourds on each) at River Point Assisted Living Center.
Tom,
If they do not put that house up, I bet you do get their martins. Some of my best years were when a nearby landlord moved and took the martin housing with them. Martins like to be with other martins.
If they do not put that house up, I bet you do get their martins. Some of my best years were when a nearby landlord moved and took the martin housing with them. Martins like to be with other martins.
G Saner