Spotted 5 Martins in Central Florida

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floridasunshinegoddess

Just 5 days ago, I saw 5 Martins flying above my site!!! I usually have taken everything down by the end of July but am glad I didn't this year!

Isn't it rather late in Florida for Martins to still be here or do you think they are migrating down from the North?
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Guest

floridasunshinegoddess, that is a good question. I just hope that doesn't mean they are going to be late returning next year. I am looking forward to the spring of 2006.
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Laverne
Posts: 2216
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
Location: TX/Alvin
Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.

Hi Barb and Sam.

Yesterday, and the day before, I also saw 4 or 5 Purple Martins fly over and I watched one bunch of 4 feeding for about 15 minutes.

I believe these birds are well into migration and could be from the Northern States or even Canada.

They cruise through my area heading SW, which would follow the Texas coastline. Sometimes they will double back after flying over to take a second look at the gourd racks, but none of them ever come down to visit at this time of the year. I believe all PMs from my area have moved on and these are migrants from further north.

I think it would be interesting to know how many Purple Martins cross the sky above my house in just one day in September. Practically anytime I take the time to stop, sit and watch, I can spot a few passing through.

Barb, I'm sure the same thing is happening in Florida. I have been awed by the multitudes of PMs I have seen this season.

We are raising a good crop for future generations...

Sincerely,
Laverne
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floridasunshinegoddess

I certainly hope so, Laverne!!!
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Carlton
Posts: 1959
Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 6:42 pm
Location: Florida/Deerfield Beach
Martin Colony History: I moved to South Florida, from Delaware, in August of 2015.

I care for a 6 condo Sunset House as well as two Deluxe Gourd Racks, with 24 Chirpynest/Excluder gourds, along a canal in Pompano Beach, Florida.


At Quiet Waters Park, nearby in Deerfield Beach, I care for a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 TVG's. I also care for a Deluxe Gourd rack with 12 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder entrances. I am substituting 6 Chirpynest boxes for 6 of the Conley II entranced gourds in 2026.

At another local park, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, I care for a Trendsetter 12, 5 gourds rack with 60 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder Entrances and 1 Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 Troyer Vertical Gourds with Starling Stoppers over the Conley II's to keep out smaller starlings.

Does anyone have active purple martin nesting colonies in South Florida? I may be moving to the Pompano Beach area of Florida and want to know if anyone has colonies there. I have driven around there a lot and do not recall seeing any martin houses at all. Maybe I just missed them. I live in Delaware now and sure would like to continue my "hobby" of attracting purple martins at my new location in Pompano or Deerfield Beach, FL.

Carlton
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floridasunshinegoddess

Carlton, they are certainly there!!!! Look at the scout reports from this year and you will see!
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