Martins Are Back

James Strickland FL · Wed Dec 26, 2007 7:36 am

Yea guys and girl I know just how you feel. I'm 5'11'' about 180 lbs and when I heard that sound and saw them land my heart just started pumping and a little tear came down my face. I think its the joy that one of god little wonders had made a home at your place . That it picked you with all the other roads that they could have take, they came to your little piece of heaven and brought you joy.

James Strickland FL · Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:42 pm

I think that their will be a few more posting on the arrival page this weekend due to the winds changing and coming from the south west. Next week we are going to be getting cooler with highs in the high 60's to low 70's and nights in the the 40's to high 50's. That is ok ,because the martins will be able to feed during the day. I hope I will here of them showing up near my house or at my house.

marshainpuntagorda · Fri Dec 28, 2007 1:48 pm

Jim, it's a little cooler over and up the west coast of FL (planning on 30's); We did get a chance to put in the DE and Pine Straw into all of the gourds...our pretty girl was happy...we talk to her every evening when she returns from her day of hunting...I hope she stays away during the day...we have a pair of red tail hawks that are getting their nesting territory mapped out and they are vocal too...the hawks went after our decoy last year, a couple of times, there is something to be said for the decoy and fooling the other predatory birds!
I know my FL neighbors on the east and west coasts will be seeing their scouts soon...Marsha

James Strickland FL · Fri Dec 28, 2007 4:58 pm

I hope it does not get that cold here. As far as a hawk I just saw him fly by awhile ago and I hate him staying around. My friend next door feeds the birds and he hunts them. The hawk hit the decoys the other day. I hope he has figured out that their is no food here and will stay away when the martins get here.

ondrasmom · Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:31 am

As usual I get so excited reading your reports. I am praying this is going to be my year. I have had some really big trees removed, so I hope the Martins will see everything clear and come live with me this year.

James Strickland FL · Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:36 pm

One of the biggest thing was removing those trees. The martins will love your place for sure.

Julio · Mon Dec 31, 2007 1:44 pm

Guys another scout report is in, this time in Naples FL. Darn it where are my Martins

James Strickland FL · Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:25 pm

JP their on their way too you right now. Maybe in a few days. I'm ready for them myself.

James Strickland FL · Tue Jan 01, 2008 6:58 pm

I hope they bring their coats for the next two day down here. It is going to be cold here.

James Strickland FL · Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:29 pm

Well we have another seen today.

Guest · Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:16 pm

Yay!!! Yay for Julio! I can't wait to read his post on it. Did I miss it and he already posted?

The Olsons · Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:26 pm

Karen,

Isn't that exciting....??? Julio has posted already...it is under "Spotted 2 ASY Males West Broward County FL"

I think it is so cool that he got to see martins that early in the year, since it is his 2nd year.

Astrid

Guest · Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:35 pm

Well, pooh, I thought they were at his house...well, hopefully they will arrive soon!

James Strickland FL · Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:18 pm

I was hoping they were heading to my house.

CraigMo. · Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:20 pm

You guys are giving me the fever. Mine aren't due til mid March. Today my daughter and I went pine needle picking. This evening I have made pre-nest for my 12 SG's and my MSS12(Grandpa), put door stops on all the doors except one in the MSS12 where I put my spar-o-trap in. All I have to do now is carry out my poles and place them and just hang up my SG's and maybe sight in my pellet gun one more time. I am about 2 1/2 months early. I do put my setup out on March 1rst just in case they come early. Feb 28 is usually when they start showing up in southern Missouri. I do believe next year I might just buy the pine straw. Ooops I forgot I still have to adjust my extra perches for my gourd rack. Well all of you the best of luck with this season.
Craig

The Olsons · Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:26 pm

Craig,
You do need to have the FEVER!!!!!! We all do....familymemberes think we are nuts, neighbors do as well....who cares. We love and have Purple Martins!!!!!!!!!!!
Best wishes to you and your martins for this coming season

Astrid

James Strickland FL · Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:30 am

Craig and Olsons I get the same fever. Mine starts at the end of Nov. and now that some birds are near my fever gets out of control. I have not seen birds until late Jan. But you never know when they will show. I always put my houses up early so that if the starlings start to show I can get rid of them before the martins show. Also I have a few hawks around and I let them hit the decoys and they will hopefully they will stay away when the real martins come.

James Strickland FL · Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:06 pm

Another one has landed here in Florida. They maybe heading to my house.

James Strickland FL · Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:06 am

I wonder were the Martins are? By this time we should have at least 8 to 10 reports.

Craig Haddox · Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:29 pm

James, I was wondering the same thing. The reports are down in Florida from last year or they are not being reported. Whats up?