My hubby was on the pier fishing this morning and one of the martins swooped down and dropped a "package" on his shoulder.
Hope this is the year!!
Lanell
Watching martins all week-end...
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Guest
up at the lake. I had an ASY male spend the night Thurs night and Fri night. then 2 females (one of which looks like an SY; I need to look it up) and 3 more ASY males showed up on Sat. Sat. night I had 2 pair spend the night. Hopefully they will stay and I can have 2 pair this year. Although, I noticed that another male hung around all the past 2 days. They love the natural gourds. The funny thing was that instead of leaving in the am and going out to feed, they would leave for about 30 mins. and return and stay till about 2:30 and come in around 6:30pm.
My hubby was on the pier fishing this morning and one of the martins swooped down and dropped a "package" on his shoulder.
Hope this is the year!!
Lanell
My hubby was on the pier fishing this morning and one of the martins swooped down and dropped a "package" on his shoulder.
Hope this is the year!!
Lanell
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Donnie Hurdt MN
- Posts: 1723
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:14 pm
- Location: North Prairie, MN
Maby the martin thought he needed some bait! 
PMCA member and Martin fanatic....
2011 A pair of subbies fledged three young but none returned in 2012
2015 One Pair of subbies came and stayed a few nits but got chased away by Bluebirds and Tree swallows.
2017 0ne pair of subbies nested and fledged 4 young
2018 Tree Swallows AGAIN chased away any martins that wanted to nest
2019 Same old story................
2011 A pair of subbies fledged three young but none returned in 2012
2015 One Pair of subbies came and stayed a few nits but got chased away by Bluebirds and Tree swallows.
2017 0ne pair of subbies nested and fledged 4 young
2018 Tree Swallows AGAIN chased away any martins that wanted to nest
2019 Same old story................
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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.
Congratulations, Lanell!!
I am so-o-o happy for you. I understand you are speaking of the lake and not Katy - but, what the hay, a colony is a colony - wherever.
I wanted to respond to several of your comments. First, I have what I believe to be 2 or 3 SY females, too. I haven't seen any SY males this season... yet... Second, if your martins don't have to go far to find food and they don't have to go far to find a mate - they will stay within close proximity of their selected breeding site. Often, I will go out, find no birds on the housing and decide this is a good time to lower the racks and make sure all is well. Suddenly, from nowhere, here comes a handful of martins, shrieking a warning. I think they stay close enough to keep an eye on the place. They want to make sure no other martin sneaks in and sets up housekeeping in their cavity. I can't count mine anymore - the competition is becoming fierce. I hope you have the same problem soon.
Enjoy!
I am so-o-o happy for you. I understand you are speaking of the lake and not Katy - but, what the hay, a colony is a colony - wherever.
I wanted to respond to several of your comments. First, I have what I believe to be 2 or 3 SY females, too. I haven't seen any SY males this season... yet... Second, if your martins don't have to go far to find food and they don't have to go far to find a mate - they will stay within close proximity of their selected breeding site. Often, I will go out, find no birds on the housing and decide this is a good time to lower the racks and make sure all is well. Suddenly, from nowhere, here comes a handful of martins, shrieking a warning. I think they stay close enough to keep an eye on the place. They want to make sure no other martin sneaks in and sets up housekeeping in their cavity. I can't count mine anymore - the competition is becoming fierce. I hope you have the same problem soon.
Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Guest
Thanks Laverne. Yes, they do seem to stay close, because they are in and out so much. There are many many bugs right on the lake and of course plenty of water. I have my gourd rack right at the waters edge. Of course, my little ASY male that went to the heath house first, still likes it. What seems to be his mate, sometimes goes over to the gourds and fights w/the other female. They males definitely are at odds!
I have not seen any SY males either. Maybe when I get back up there Friday, there will be one.
Have a great season. Sounds like you are.........
lanell
What seems to be his mate, sometimes goes over to the gourds and fights w/the other female. They males definitely are at odds! I have not seen any SY males either. Maybe when I get back up there Friday, there will be one.
Have a great season. Sounds like you are.........
lanell
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Al Denton
- Posts: 1468
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:31 pm
- Location: Carolina Shores NC
- Martin Colony History: New site and housing for 2018...Trendsetter 12. 1 pair of subs. Fledged 5...2019...11 pairs
A big thumbs-up to you Lanell ...Hopefully this will be it. Al
...Hopefully this will be it. Al2018-new site...1 pair
2019-11 pairs
2020-15 pairs
2019-11 pairs
2020-15 pairs
I sure hope you are right. -
Sharon - Central TX
- Posts: 696
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:20 pm
- Location: Central TX
- Martin Colony History: All Troyer Horizontal Gourds with Conley Entrances
PMCA Member since 2004
Lanelle,
This will be your year. I just feel it!!! If you don't get any in Katy (and I think you will), you'll want to spend ALL your time at the lake :-). Enjoy.
It's your turn finally.
Sharon
This will be your year. I just feel it!!! If you don't get any in Katy (and I think you will), you'll want to spend ALL your time at the lake :-). Enjoy.
It's your turn finally.
Sharon
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Guest
Thanks Sharon. We're going back to the lake on Friday and be up there four days. Can't wait! 
Have great season.
lanell
Have great season.
lanell