Hi everyone.
One of our wonderful, local rehabbers, has 6 young Martins, that are about ready for release.
I'm familiar with the roost that has formed at Hwy 59 & Hwy 90, however, I was wondering if anyone has seen, or knows of, any daytime staging areas?
Staging areas would be the most ideal location to release these babies.
Thanks so much.
Staging areas in/around greater Houston area?
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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.
Hello Matt.
There "was" a staging site at my parent's farm. It began forming around June 15, grew to an amazing number of birds over the next month and then poof -- they all moved on. They were all gone by July 18th. We think they move on down in a southerly direction on their first leg of migration. But, we can only speculate. The birds do not roost at the farm -- they just hang around sitting on the power lines and the pecan trees all day and take the occasional dip in the lake. Must be like summer camp!!
I find this staging area very interesting because it occurs at the farm every year and has been ongoing for about 20 years - my parents say ever since they put in the lake.
This is a predictable site, but it may disperse too early every year to be much help in releasing rehabbed birds. Plus, this is farm land and everybody is on a mission to eliminate every bug in the area. I don't see how there could be enough food in the air to accomodate a bunch of fledgling babies who don't have parents to supplement their meager catches.
We need to find an area near the coast where the marshland produces a very high number of insects. I think this would be a great place to release inexperienced PMs and it would give them a better chance for survival.
Sincerely,
Laverne
There "was" a staging site at my parent's farm. It began forming around June 15, grew to an amazing number of birds over the next month and then poof -- they all moved on. They were all gone by July 18th. We think they move on down in a southerly direction on their first leg of migration. But, we can only speculate. The birds do not roost at the farm -- they just hang around sitting on the power lines and the pecan trees all day and take the occasional dip in the lake. Must be like summer camp!!
I find this staging area very interesting because it occurs at the farm every year and has been ongoing for about 20 years - my parents say ever since they put in the lake.
This is a predictable site, but it may disperse too early every year to be much help in releasing rehabbed birds. Plus, this is farm land and everybody is on a mission to eliminate every bug in the area. I don't see how there could be enough food in the air to accomodate a bunch of fledgling babies who don't have parents to supplement their meager catches.
We need to find an area near the coast where the marshland produces a very high number of insects. I think this would be a great place to release inexperienced PMs and it would give them a better chance for survival.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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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.
Well, Matt, I guess nobody else knows of any staging sites in the Houston area... 
I'm guessing our real problem is that nobody else who has a staging area in their backyard accesses the PMCA's website or reads the Forum.
Sincerely,
Laverne
I'm guessing our real problem is that nobody else who has a staging area in their backyard accesses the PMCA's website or reads the Forum.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
Hi Laverne.Laverne wrote:Well, Matt, I guess nobody else knows of any staging sites in the Houston area...
I'm guessing our real problem is that nobody else who has a staging area in their backyard accesses the PMCA's website or reads the Forum.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Yeah, that's kind of a bummer about not finding any local staging areas.
I really like you're idea, about finding a staging area in more of a marsh, insect-rich setting. That would be wonderful release location.
I'm hoping with the increased knowledge we're gaining from wonderful rehabbers like Penny Halstead, there maybe more reporting of these daytime staging areas.
Prior to Penny's recent post, about successfully releasing some babies at a staging area in the Dallas area, I didn't realize how important these staging areas are, when releasing late season babies.
I'm definitely going to be on the lookout, and report back any findings, for what's left of this season, and towards the latter part of every season, from now on.
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Fredmyyster
- Posts: 280
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:30 pm
- Location: Tennessee/ Nashville
Matt, we thought ours hit the jets last week but thursday morning they were back, go figure. Good luck !
Empty POOLS are a Delight ! !
There are plenty of Martins hanging around that park behind the Fountains from about 4:00pm until dark.
The birds perch on the power lines there and come down occasionally to drink from the pond.
I have not been by there earlier in the day, so I don't if the Martins are there all day,
or just late afternoon as they prepare to move to the roost.
The birds perch on the power lines there and come down occasionally to drink from the pond.
I have not been by there earlier in the day, so I don't if the Martins are there all day,
or just late afternoon as they prepare to move to the roost.
2025 - 15 pair, 56 fledged
Sorry to post so late but had a staging area in Gleanlock farms just off the golf course. they have now joined the main roost in willowbrook so will watch next year when they form. it was agood year at my site with 25 fledges.marty
Thanks Fred, Don, and Marty.
Don, your intel about the Martins starting to meeting up at that little park at around 4 PM was a big help.
I passed that info on to the rehabber I was in contact with, and I'm pretty sure that was determined to be the best release location choice for the babies.
God bless all wildlife rehabbers. Talk about a noble cause.
Don, your intel about the Martins starting to meeting up at that little park at around 4 PM was a big help.
I passed that info on to the rehabber I was in contact with, and I'm pretty sure that was determined to be the best release location choice for the babies.
God bless all wildlife rehabbers. Talk about a noble cause.
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Guest
Marty: I live in Memorial NW just south of Glennloch. Where was that staging area just off the golf course? And when was it there? I'd like to look for it next year. Thanks.mflangolf wrote: