Grand Prairie Martin Update

[klcretired]

hello everyone,
I had to replace one Gourd that hit the ground during our last wind storm Here in Texas ,no problem it was replaced in a matter of minutes and my ASY martin Couple that is occupying it is happy again .Here are my number's this year and their arrival dates but i am expecting more Martins to come very soon , probly a week or so after i post this.

Mar 3,2006
i have 4 pm's

Mar 5th,2006
i have 10 pm's

Mar 7th 2006
i have 12 pm's

Mar 21,2006
18 PM's

4 more came looked over my houseing but didn't stay , they moved on as night time approached. I wish everyone well this year.

[Dale Hrncirik]

Hi Kenny,

Your colony is growing very nicely! The crappy weather we had this past week really put a halt to migration in the area. I'm so glad that today is supposed to go past the mid 50s as our martins must be plenty hungry since yesterday was 43 for a high and the days prior were around 48-52. Their last good meal was on Monday so I was really beginning to worry. I tossed some crickets yesterday afternoon and I couldn't believe I finally watched a martin catch it and fly for a short distance...and then spit it out That martin was either not hungry or didn't like the taste of an old thawed out, previously frozen for a couple of years, cricket.

My colony is very close to yours in size...it appears there are around 20 martins staying the night. The SYs should begin to show up in our area around April 10, +/- 3 days. It is so nice to finally have some time off from work(3 day weekend ) and I got to enjoy the martins this morning. I also put up another perch area and 2 decoys just in case some hungry hawk comes to visit.

Take care,
Dale

[klcretired]

Hey Dale,
I am so glad that you have started up a colony immediately after moving from Wylie to Allen it's good to know. Yeah , i keep my decoy's up all year just for such an occassion (Hawk visit), They really do come in handy.

[klcretired]

It sure is nice to be able to sit on my patio and watch the Martins Preen theirselves and go in & out all my houseing & gourds with out any interference from any S&S's. This is what taking care of business afford's a Martin Landlord...what i'm trying to say is that it isn't always a battle to keep the S&S's at bay sooner or later you win that battle and can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your Labour.