I just saw a group of about 40 birds that appeared to be PM's by both their shape and flying patterns. They came in riding a storm from the SW and have been circling high over our neighborhood for two hours feeding. The weather is now a light drizzle. I have not seen any of them land.
Do scouts fly is such large numbers ??
We live near Lake Pounchatrain on the north shore. The south shore is used as a marshalling point for the PM's return trip to Brazil; it is about 30 miles away.
Can we can blame this early arrivial on Katrina ??
They are here !!
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apundt-TX
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:34 pm
- Location: Pflugerville, Texas
- Martin Colony History: :
2022-1 pair
1 pair 2021
2020- Didn't get setup fast enough in Pflugerville
2019- Apartment
2018 Divorce lost Colony in Dripping Springs
19 pair 2017
17 pair 2015
12 pair 2014
8 pair 2013
5 pair 2012
2 pair 2011
Are you sure they were martins? Your gonna get alot of people excited here either way.
A.P.
A.P.
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Guest
You ask do scouts fly in such large numbers?
My experience is no, but i don't live along the Gulf coast.
Many speices have proven there is safety in numbers especally when flying over hundreds of miles of open ocean.
I guess it is possible.
Have a Great Day- Jim
My experience is no, but i don't live along the Gulf coast.
Many speices have proven there is safety in numbers especally when flying over hundreds of miles of open ocean.
I guess it is possible.
Have a Great Day- Jim
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eyeamtheman
- Posts: 633
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 3:21 pm
- Location: Quitman, La
- Martin Colony History: Super colony
While not impossible, you can realize possibly some that may be skeptical. Please confirm this report with vocalizations that you heard, or them checking out your housing. If what you saw were indeed martins, then that should get everyones' attention.......good luck!!!
Johnny
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Guest
It looks more like a 'Roost' this morning. Our skys are clear and the number of birds are up to 300 to 400. They all have a 'martin' outline and a white belly. Could they be werns ? We are miles away from any water.
They are staying within our neighborhood and seem to be 'attacking' the bushy trees; just like the summer roosts I've seen in Tulsa.
Here is the best picture I can get with the 800 x800 limit.
They are staying within our neighborhood and seem to be 'attacking' the bushy trees; just like the summer roosts I've seen in Tulsa.
Here is the best picture I can get with the 800 x800 limit.
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Steve Kroenke
- Posts: 4342
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:49 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Logansport
Hello,
My guess is that these are tree swallows. Tree swallows have a white belly and they do winter in southern Louisiana. When I lived in Florida, MANY tree swallows wintered along the east coast of Florida around Cape Canaveral. Tree swallows are smaller than martins but can be hard to distinguish from them at a distance. Also, tree swallows will feed on wax myrtle berries, aka bay berries, during periods of cold weather. During the martin's trek north to their wintering grounds, martins probably migrate singularly or in small scattered groups. So, I am guessing tree swallows.
Steve
My guess is that these are tree swallows. Tree swallows have a white belly and they do winter in southern Louisiana. When I lived in Florida, MANY tree swallows wintered along the east coast of Florida around Cape Canaveral. Tree swallows are smaller than martins but can be hard to distinguish from them at a distance. Also, tree swallows will feed on wax myrtle berries, aka bay berries, during periods of cold weather. During the martin's trek north to their wintering grounds, martins probably migrate singularly or in small scattered groups. So, I am guessing tree swallows.
Steve
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Guest
I agree with Steve.......tree swallows. They are a swallow, like martins, and could easily be mistaken. The first martins are typically the adult males and would not have a white belly not is it typical for them to travel in large flocks.
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Guest
Your visitation is not at all unlike our post about two weeks ago on "early swallows". I had never seen anything like it, but haven't had purple martins either, so wasn't sure. Your photo as I could discern it looked much like our swarms of birds, white or light grey belly included. I believe ours were also tree swallows as researched on the U of Florida nature web site.
Still, it shouldn't be too long for us down in Florida. We have some hustling to do before they are in our area.
Mavou
Still, it shouldn't be too long for us down in Florida. We have some hustling to do before they are in our area.
Mavou
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CUL Lou~Mich
Over the years that I've been reading/posting to the PMCA Forum, there have been many landlords/landladies who have reported having PMs. Then they'd ask why there was only one pair at their colony, and their birds were chasing other PMs away. Once they got down to the nitty gritty of it, they'd report their birds had snow white bellied, and breasts. They would then be told their birds were undoubtedly Tree Swallows. If these birds ALL had white tummies, I'd say Tree Swallows. I'd certainly think if these were in fact PMs, then there should be at least a few ALL BLACK birds, which would be the Males. I have looked at the picture several times, and see no sign on a black tummy. I'd have to agree with Tree Swallows. No, I don't have, nor have I ever had PMs nesting, but I've read enough posts to feel confident in my thoughts. CUL Lou
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Fred Kaluza~MI
- Posts: 606
- Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2003 10:40 pm
- Location: Port Huron, Michigan
- Martin Colony History: Tried and tried and had some visitors but...not enough good insects around here to keep them interested.
I don't see any white either. Dang, they look huge! Also, from the apparent width of the "tails" on some of the blobs they look more like Grackles.
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CUL Lou~Mich
Fred. I couldn't distinguish anything from the photo. Just that The Pratts state
That's what I was basing my thought on. Oh, in relooking, there is one white shape right in front, lower right. CUL LouThey all have a 'martin' outline and a white belly