Central Texas - New Site

[hhudson26]

Looking for arrivals in central Texas, Killeen-Temple-Belton area. We had a nice colony established in Caddo Mills (east of DFW) the past few years, but moved to Belton last year. I only see one subadult report in Texas so far, but have been playing the dawn song quite often. The mockingbirds are messing with me, though, as they’ll include a purple Martin call in their song sometimes! Hoping to see something soon!

[Thomas Maddox]

I heard that area is a nice place to live! Have you driven around to see if you can find some PM colonies nearby?

[C.C.Martins]

Have you looked at the scout arrival study for your area? Should be pretty good for martins. Yeah the mockers get me too, martin songs when expecting them, now they are incorporating HOSP in their calls. Drives me nuts.

Hope you see some action soon, never know...ASY pair started my colony.
Tom

[hhudson26]

I’ve seen a couple of Martin houses up around here, but I’m not sure they’re maintained, and I haven’t been able to talk with any of the owners yet. I do watch the scout reports pretty closely.

[C.C.Martins]

Ok, well its a good martin rich area, coupled with your experience should put you on the map. A mis managed house could work in your favor. Definitely worth a visit if you can make it, you will find out quickly if there is any real intrest.
Hope you get your martins this season!
Tom

[hhudson26]

Quick update - had three visitors yesterday. Two ASY males and either one SY male or female. Since they were all together I never could tell if the third martin was SY male or female, as I never could tell if the "trill" was from the other two males or the third martin. They visited several times and only peeked in a few of the gourds but did not "overnight". At one time I looked up and saw eight birds way up high chasing a kestrel, but that was it.

I did visit one of the owners here, but he just put his housing up last year and didn't sound as if he was really all that involved with it.

Thanks for the responses, and we're looking forward to getting a new colony started down here!

[C.C.Martins]

Well that was fast! Hope they come back for you.

Dang hawks, one did a pass on our birds this morning, missed and tried to land in my neighbors tree but I ran out and started clapping off it went with mobs of martins right after.

[LCM]

Good for you!!!!
Linda Moore

[hhudson26]

Just another update - periodic visitors, some just perch, a few might poke heads into a gourd, but I've yet to see any actually go in. No takers, and the visitors are only two, maybe three in a day. I also don't see many scout reports in my area, so I wonder how many landlords there are around here, and I haven't seen any setups around here like it did up in my previous area. Will keep trying!