Have purple martins left this area

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Bbfpat
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2025 7:34 am
Location: Faquier

I don’t see the martins at my house- I am wondering if they’ve begun their migration.
Thomas Maddox
Posts: 580
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:23 pm
Location: Sulphur, Louisiana

Where are you? Mine have been gone for a while here in SWLA.
Conrad Baker
Posts: 754
Joined: Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:43 pm
Location: Paulina, Louisiana

Yea, at least put the state you're in. Sorry, but I never heard of Faquier.
Bbfpat
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2025 7:34 am
Location: Faquier

Sorry- I’m in northern Virginia
Jones4381
Posts: 830
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:54 pm
Location: Southwestern VA
Martin Colony History: 2020- 0
2021- 1 pair-5
2022- 5 pair-20
2023 34 pair-44
2024 30 pair-122
2025 54 Pair -178

Bbfpat wrote:
Sun Jul 20, 2025 2:43 pm
Sorry- I’m in northern Virginia
I'm in southside VA and had 50+ pair this season and still have 39 or fewer fledglings to go in I think 9 or 10 gourds. So about 40+ gourds of young have fledged (don't have the actual number yet as I haven't entered everything in and added up (150 I'm guessing) Typically they tend to head towards the roosting site end of July to around August 10th has been my experience. I would think you only 4 hours north of here would be very similar schedule.
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
Chuck k
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Jul 20, 2025 6:46 am
Location: SE Indiana

I’m in SE Indiana and my Martins are gone. I still see some down the road a mile or so away. I don’t know if there is a problem with my colony or did they just migrate. A week before they were gone, I could see babies peeking their heads out. How soon after they fledge can they make the migration?
brent
Posts: 1280
Joined: Sat Feb 10, 2018 2:43 pm
Location: Raceland, Louisiana

I have 3 young ones that are 27 days old today. I see mom feeding them. It so very hot I can’t believe they are surviving. This morning I had over 20 visitors. In fact every morning I’ve had 20 to 30 visit and stay for a few hours. Amazing. Soon the chicks will fledge. I do see the male who will perch and protect but I think mom is doing all the feeding. I know it’s him because it’s a SY with 3 dark spots near his left underside. So yes, I still have martins!!
Brent
scottfreidhof
Posts: 348
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:13 am
Location: Kentucky/Morehead

Very good chance that all of your nestlings have fledged. I noticed a roost ring on radar to the southeast of Faquier County. I'm guessing this is a pre-migratory roost of martins and it is very likely that your birds are a part of it. The location is on the Potomac River east of Fredericksburg near Caledon State Park or just across the river on the Maryland side. Might be a fun way to extend your martin season by looking for the roost!
Clebone66
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2025 7:27 pm
Location: Vine Grove KY

Today in Vine Grove Kentucky. I removed 3 of my 4 Martin houses. All 4 were houses empty of fledglings. I left 1 house up for any wayward travelers and that will be removed next weekend.

Sad to see them go but what an amazing year for new babies. I did not get an official count but can say there was roughly 30 to 40 chicks that fledged with 2 chicks and 1 adult lost. This years was a battle royale with the sparrows with none staying longer than a few days as there nest and eggs were removed asap. My plans for next year is to paint all houses white and add more space for the new babies born this year 😀
Elmo
Posts: 49
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2015 10:40 am
Location: TX/San Antonio

I live just north of San Antonio,TX. The past week or so I did not see any PM activity and was thinking about taking down. Today I noticed several PM's had returned, so I guess the house/gourds will remain up for a while.
Bbfpat
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2025 7:34 am
Location: Faquier

scottfreidhof wrote:
Tue Jul 22, 2025 7:16 pm
Very good chance that all of your nestlings have fledged. I noticed a roost ring on radar to the southeast of Faquier County. I'm guessing this is a pre-migratory roost of martins and it is very likely that your birds are a part of it. The location is on the Potomac River east of Fredericksburg near Caledon State Park or just across the river on the Maryland side. Might be a fun way to extend your martin season by looking for the roost!
I think you’re probably right. I imagine that they have now moved on. Thanks for the info
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