Martins have arrived in Grand Prairie,Tx on 2/15/06

[klcretired]

Hello Everyone,
Heads Up Everyone in Grand Prairie the Martins are here ,I just got home from my Physical Therapy and as i was pulling in my driveway off of I-20 and carrier pkwy i heard a familiar sound and sure enough when i looked up there were 2 asy males and one female flying in and around my neighborhood feeding, This is just a heads up report I never enter them on the scout report until i actually physically see them at my Houseing or Gourd rack, Man i'm really excited now!!!!....Woooooooooooooh....Hoooooo.

[Guest]

I guess congrats are in order!!! Actually, chase them towards me... I've almost(not) forgot what they look like!!! Have another great year.

I also just caught my first EHS. He's been hanging around across the street on my neighbors eve....... correction, he was!!!!

Have a great year everyone

Chuck

[Dale Hrncirik]

Hey Kenny,

That's great news man I'm happy for ya and hope your knee is doing better. I had a good day off work but still no martins at my site. The Dallas area is expecting highs in the 40's(for 3 days) and rain starting Friday so I'm kinda glad my birds aren't back just yet.

Take it easy my friend,
Dale

[floridasunshinegoddess]

Hi klc,

I would say they're back. But if you must see them on your housing to post your scout report, OK ....

I'm truly happy for you and hope you have a wonderful season!

[Steve Kroenke]

Hey Kenny,

That is great news! I am sure your martins will be home soon.

I still have my two pairs and Bob has about seven or eight martins in residence, with more females than males.

I haven't seen any martins flying around some of the smaller colonies located on our road.

I appears we will have some cool/colder weather with rain over the next few days. The rain is the main problem and greatly reduces the availability of flying insects.

Good luck.

Steve

[Guest]

Hey Kenny,

That's great news man I'm happy for ya and hope your knee is doing better. I had a good day off work but still no martins at my site. The Dallas area is expecting highs in the 40's(for 3 days) and rain starting Friday so I'm kinda glad my birds aren't back just yet.

Take it easy my friend,
Dale

I couldn't agree more.... chance of freezing rain Saturday.. and of course my daughter has 2 soccer games scheduled that day. I'm glad there not back here yet, but Now I really do have to keep my eyes to the sky since GP is just about an hour south of me. In fact, I just adopted my dog from GP about a month ago. There's another long time landlord here in Denton and his birds usually arrive about 2 weeks before mine do.... so I'm patiently waiting on those scout reports.

[~Patrick~]

I still have no martins here in Fort Worth. Though they didn't show last year until February 21 and they're not technically late, something doesn't seem right. Not that I'm complaining, but even the house sparrows aren't around anymore. I'm sure the martins will arrive sooner or later, but I do seriously worry about the effect this drought will have on them. With the unseasonably warm winter, everything is out of sync. My yard is planted in all native plants and many are putting out leaves and blooms, though I'm sure this weekend's blast will get the tender new shoots. Maybe the martins are holding off until this artic mass passes. I'm sure they know what they're doing. It should be interesting to see how the season progresses.

Martinless in Fort Worth,

Patrick

[klcretired]

Thanks for your reply everyone!!!!!

Patrick ,
I know what you mean about no sparrows & Starlings around your site, kinda eerie isn't it????, there hasn't been any S&S activity over here at my site either.Patrick ,Gisela Fregoe here in Grand Prairie has had her Martins since feb 15th at her location.we are having a meeting next month at the Pmlnt here in Grand Prairie and we want you to come join us, here is the info:
PURPLE MARTIN LANDLORDS OF NORTH TEXAS

MONTHLY MEETING


WHEN: Thursday, 2 February 2006

TIME: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

WHERE: Betty Warmack Library

760 Bardin Road

(On the corner of Robinson Rd, South of

I-20 and West of Carrier Parkway)

Grand Prairie, Texas 75052

Tel: 972-237-5772

Gisela also has a website: http://purplemartins.com/NorthTexasMartins/index.html

[Guest]

It's worth the $5..... and you get to meet famous people like Louise Chambers!!!

Off topic, what native plants/grasses do you have Patrick?
My backyards about 95% native (as in Texas Native). I love my water bill....... I really chuckle when I see my neighbors pouring water and money down the drain in the summer!!!

Chuck C

[~Patrick~]

klcretired...Thanks for the input. I really want to try to make the meeting, and I haven't forgotten you either! It's been a crazy work week for me and I haven't been able to get back with you. I'll do my best to be at the meeting and I'll private message you this weekend.

Chuck, at this point, my natives consist of only native shrubbery and perennials, a native cactus garden, etc. But if this drought doesn't let up, I expect to be replacing turf grass as well. I'm going to look into the new strains of buffalo grass should I have to replace my St. Augustine in the back (it was a mistake to put that in). I spend some time in Mexico each summer and have decided to add a few native Mexican plants as well. I grew up in Houston where you can grow anything. Up here in Fort Worth, I have to be more selective. I'm partial to native salvias and other hummingbird plants, particularly the mountain sage native to the Chisos Mts. of Big Bend. Many salvias have very aromatic leaves and stems. I wonder if those might be deterrents to mites in martin nests. Native wax myrtle bushes are reported to repel fleas.

I find myself in an odd position. I want the martins to come, but not uner these weather conditions. Just being impatient, I guess.

Martinless and still waiting in Fort Worth,

Patrick