Large numbers arriving in central Illinois
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Glen Webb Jr
- Posts: 478
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 1:03 pm
- Location: Illinois/Stewardson
Yesterday I had tons of martins show up. Before I left for work at 6am yesterday, I had one new male show up bringing my total number of birds to four. But wow oh wow, when I got home at 3:30 yesterday afternoon I could not believe it! Martins were everywhere. For those who are panicking over lagging birds, looks like they are catching up with the warm weather. I have at least 18 new birds. But I think there are more. Seems like everytime they all take off and fly around, there are more little beaks poking out of the gourds, relaxing and watching the fun above. WOW, it sure was a sight to see those birds swarming everywhere. Tree swallows have literally filled all but two nestboxes, which are being fiercely defended by the bluebirds. I must have upwards of 30 tree swallows right now and seeing them feed with the martins....man, I just don't want to do anything else but lay back and watch them, which I did all afternoon and evening.
That's really good news! 
With yesterday's balmy mid 60's temperatures (finally) here, I put up all my bird housing for the season. The waiting game has been long and boring, but reading that martins are getting closer to us way up here in the Illinois-Wisconsin stateline area is really good news. My neighbor who is also putting up another martin house in a few days tells me that he has been highly successful in trapping house sparrows over the past week. I guess we are ready.
With yesterday's balmy mid 60's temperatures (finally) here, I put up all my bird housing for the season. The waiting game has been long and boring, but reading that martins are getting closer to us way up here in the Illinois-Wisconsin stateline area is really good news. My neighbor who is also putting up another martin house in a few days tells me that he has been highly successful in trapping house sparrows over the past week. I guess we are ready.
PMCA member
2011 - 1 SY pair w/ 2 HY fledged
2012 - 5 breeding pairs
2013 - 14 nesting pairs and several singles
2014 - 8 nesting pairs
2015 - 5 nesting prs w/mostly ASY parents
2011 - 1 SY pair w/ 2 HY fledged
2012 - 5 breeding pairs
2013 - 14 nesting pairs and several singles
2014 - 8 nesting pairs
2015 - 5 nesting prs w/mostly ASY parents
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Frank Hargis-IL
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2003 5:22 pm
- Location: Illinois/Flora
Glen,
Glad you're getting a lot of martins! They're coming in here too. Counted 25 in fot the night yesterday evening. Expecting more today.
Luck,
Frank
Glad you're getting a lot of martins! They're coming in here too. Counted 25 in fot the night yesterday evening. Expecting more today.
Luck,
Frank