Scouts in Wetumpka, Alabama

Joe Levins · Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:07 am

They are back. Put three racks of 16 to the rack up Tuesday and this morning Friday at 7:15 there was 3 martins sitting an the racks. 1ea asy male and 2ea asy females. They usually come around the 18th of Feb., last year they came on the 8th. This is the earliest I have ever had them. Waited all winter for this day, have a very good day. Joe

Dale Hrncirik · Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:20 pm

Congrats Joe! I noticed you had 77 pairs out of 80 gourds last year. That's very impressive! Are you gonna add more housing this year?

I can hardly wait for my first martin to show up. They seem to be early in our area so my wait may not be much longer. Have a great season!

Dale

Emil Pampell-Tx · Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:34 pm

Congrats Joe, its nice to see them back home

Joe Levins · Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:19 pm

Thanks for the reply Dale and Emil. Yes I have added another pole which will have 20 natural gourds, this will make even 100. 2005 I had 77 of 80 occupied 2004 62 of 64, 2003 47 of 48. I have added a pole of 16 the last three years and keep filling them up. I make all my poles, grow the gourds, and enjoy fixing them up. Good luck, nice hearing from you. Joe

Craig Haddox · Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:25 pm

Joe, congratulation's on your arrivals. Good luck this year.

Emil Pampell-Tx · Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:26 pm

Joe, I kept adding for many years, but finally decided that I had enough...Its hard not to add when you see so many young birds come back, but cannot find an empty gourd. I made most of my stuff also, but now I started helping others get into better housing...I feel good doing that, as they appreciate it a lot.

Tuesday I helped my brother-in-law build a new gourd rack, and now he wants to build 2 more like that, so that helps others so much...

Joe Levins · Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:36 pm

Emil, this is probably my last addition also. Nest checks has gotten to be quiet a chore plus battling the starlings, sparrows, hawks and owls is a full time job. I think I have made around 60 pole setups for friends and neighbors and have installed most of them. The price of the material has gone aut of sight. I plan to post some pictures if I ever learn how to do it. I have not had a computer and digital camera very long. Still learning

Emil Pampell-Tx · Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:40 pm

Joe, keep up the great work helping others...As far as the computer is concerned, I must wait for the younger people to help me...they know so much about them compared to me....Isn't that nice, the young helping the old, kinda reverses our thinking...

Guest · Sat Feb 04, 2006 6:31 pm

Glad that you have them--just hope we don't have a cold snap before spring. 100 gourds--that is impressive. I have 35 natural gourds and 5 natureline--they always get takers....Jon

Joe Levins · Sat Feb 04, 2006 6:44 pm

Thanks Jon, yes the weather is going to be cold the next few days. I was hoping they wouldn't come this early. As long as it sunny during the day some maybe they find some insects to eat. I offer 24 supergourds, 16 natureline and 60 large thick natural. Have a good year.

Brad-AL · Sun Feb 05, 2006 9:38 am

Hey Joe,

Glad to hear the birds have made it to Wetumpka. I start getting real excited when they hit Birmingham. I hope the weather is kind to them for the next few days. We are under a snow advisory for tonight. They should be up here in a couple of weeks.

Brad

Joe Levins · Sun Feb 05, 2006 9:36 pm

Brad, the weather here has been cold and windy here the last two days, the birds stayed in the gourds until 8:30 this morning. Maybe by the weekend it will warn some. Keep a watch for them they should be up your way soon, good luck.