Last nestcheck on 4/13 revealed 110 eggs and 5 young in 34 gourds. Today 4/18 (five days later) we found 298 eggs in 63 gourds. We have 17 gourds with no eggs. We still have only 5 young in one nest, but there are six nests due to hatch any day. I am amazed by these numbers. That's 188 eggs laid in the last five days. These potential young will probably fledge the first week in June. I found my first clutch of 7 eggs today. Most are five or six. I've got pictures.
I was also surprised by the feathers on these five nestlings. They are really looking good! I'm having a lotta fun this year. We're having plenty of rain and I don't expect any starving youngsters this year. I hope everybody else has as much fun as me!!
Enjoying my season!!
Shocked by 298 eggs today!
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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.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
Darn Laverne,
Amost 300 eggs is incredible. You gonna have about 500 birds flying around your place this season so you'll need some air traffic control birds are something.
Those babies are growing FAST and look good. big as momma now. I learned from last year that when they are at that grwoth stage "if" I have any concerns about their eating, I have to pick them up and feel that breast bone/chest area carefully to make sure they are getting enough food.
After last years 'season of death", Im SUPER paranoid about them starving this season.
what area of Texas is Alvin in? Do you consider yourself most likely North Texas, East Texas, Houston/Corpus south, or West Texas ?
Amost 300 eggs is incredible. You gonna have about 500 birds flying around your place this season so you'll need some air traffic control birds are something.
Those babies are growing FAST and look good. big as momma now. I learned from last year that when they are at that grwoth stage "if" I have any concerns about their eating, I have to pick them up and feel that breast bone/chest area carefully to make sure they are getting enough food.
After last years 'season of death", Im SUPER paranoid about them starving this season.
what area of Texas is Alvin in? Do you consider yourself most likely North Texas, East Texas, Houston/Corpus south, or West Texas ?
2008~(1st yr) 4 pairs, 11 to 12 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
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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.
Thank you rrmartins. I don't consider myself any kind of special landlord. We just have plastic gourds on poles with pulleys, ropes, and winches. We snoop and count and document...and...and enjoy!!
Hey Matt. We've got some PMs here that consider themselves air traffic control and there's always the Mockingbird.
I am watching for signs of decline -- but these guys look great! I picked one up today and he was "heavy". We all need to remember last year and watch for problems. I have already decided that I will order crickets and help with feeding this year if the need arises.
You can google Alvin, TX. We're located between Houston and Galveston at the intersection of Highway 6 and 35. I call this area Southeast Texas.
Hey Matt. We've got some PMs here that consider themselves air traffic control and there's always the Mockingbird.
I am watching for signs of decline -- but these guys look great! I picked one up today and he was "heavy". We all need to remember last year and watch for problems. I have already decided that I will order crickets and help with feeding this year if the need arises.
You can google Alvin, TX. We're located between Houston and Galveston at the intersection of Highway 6 and 35. I call this area Southeast Texas.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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DakotaLady
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
- Location: Bismarck, ND
Oh Laverne, that is amazing. I can not imagine what it would be like to hear, see and keep track of that many birds. Good luck with all your eggs and youngsters...they sure are getting big fast.
I still have not seen one martin here and I can not for the life of me find my purple martin dawn song. I have to tear my place apart this weekend. Last year it was not working well so I might have to purchase a new one. Almost one entire side must have gotten recorded over. UGH!
Enjoy your birds...glad you are having fun.
I still have not seen one martin here and I can not for the life of me find my purple martin dawn song. I have to tear my place apart this weekend. Last year it was not working well so I might have to purchase a new one. Almost one entire side must have gotten recorded over. UGH!
Enjoy your birds...glad you are having fun.
~Tangula~
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
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Peggy Riley
- Posts: 885
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:21 pm
- Location: TX/Tolar
Really good numbers Laverne!
PMCA Member
2017 101 pair
2017 101 pair
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Chriscreole
- Posts: 781
- Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 9:31 am
- Location: Texas, Hutto
Do you think the placing of green leaves in the nests is like us decorating our walls with pictures hahaha!
PMCA Member since 2010
Super System 24, All Troyer W/Conley 2 entrances.
Hello Laverne, those are some absolutely impressive numbers, thanks for sharing the great photos too. I can't imagine having that many eggs just yet (fairly new to PM's). Thanks for the encouragement.
FYI: I lived with some family in Manvel years ago, frequented Alvin of course. I still miss Joe's BBQ.
FYI: I lived with some family in Manvel years ago, frequented Alvin of course. I still miss Joe's BBQ.
2010: two pair nested, 1 bird fledged.
2011: starlings/sparrows destroyed nests. I shut down the house early to save PM lives.
2012: new T-14 with SREH, & a Beeman R7. Four fledged this year.
2013: Destroyed many house sparrows, but fledged 21 PM's!
2011: starlings/sparrows destroyed nests. I shut down the house early to save PM lives.
2012: new T-14 with SREH, & a Beeman R7. Four fledged this year.
2013: Destroyed many house sparrows, but fledged 21 PM's!
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2026, 88 pair with 333 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
Excellent news Laverne. It would be great if you have 100% survival rate. I wish you the best.
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AnnieM
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:57 pm
- Location: Spring Branch/Canyon Lake ~ Mystic Shores, Comal County, TX
- Martin Colony History: 2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 28 - 17 pair
2017 - Full house for first time. 24 gourds all occupied. :-)
Hi Laverne,
Can u post a pic of your entire colony? I would really like to see what 80+ some gourds looks like. Don't know if I'm having as much fun as you; too worried being a new landlord that I'll do something wrong. My 3 pair are starting to lay eggs, and I'm learning about trapping sparrows. Your pictures are great!
Can u post a pic of your entire colony? I would really like to see what 80+ some gourds looks like. Don't know if I'm having as much fun as you; too worried being a new landlord that I'll do something wrong. My 3 pair are starting to lay eggs, and I'm learning about trapping sparrows. Your pictures are great!
PMCA Member
2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 29/17 pair
2017 - Full house first time-24 gourds all occupied
2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 29/17 pair
2017 - Full house first time-24 gourds all occupied
Laverne,
WOW is all I can say. I too would love to hear things at your house when all are out flying around. Even just the sound of the pairs has got to be awesome!!!! Good luck and may you fledge every one of those babies....they are the future first bird for someone out there!!! Way to go.
WOW is all I can say. I too would love to hear things at your house when all are out flying around. Even just the sound of the pairs has got to be awesome!!!! Good luck and may you fledge every one of those babies....they are the future first bird for someone out there!!! Way to go.
D'Nese in Tennessee
2009-new house up, many visitors no one stayed
2010-3 pairs, 14 eggs, 9 babies 9 fledged
2011 20 pairs, 106 eggs, 79 fledged
2012 37 pair, 120 fledged
2013 37 pair, 173 fledged
2009-new house up, many visitors no one stayed
2010-3 pairs, 14 eggs, 9 babies 9 fledged
2011 20 pairs, 106 eggs, 79 fledged
2012 37 pair, 120 fledged
2013 37 pair, 173 fledged
Congrats!!! It is amazing that your first babies are getting SO grown up!!! What is their expected fledge date?
I need to do a nest check today to see if I have any new nests with eggs? I am currently offering 36 compartments but could expand to 48. I'm not planning to get much bigger than that since I'm not retired. It takes a lot of time to keep up with a big colony, I bet... but I know I'd love it if I had the time!
Keep us posted on your numbers & hope we all have successful fledgings this year!
I know I lost at least 8 to heat last year!
I need to do a nest check today to see if I have any new nests with eggs? I am currently offering 36 compartments but could expand to 48. I'm not planning to get much bigger than that since I'm not retired. It takes a lot of time to keep up with a big colony, I bet... but I know I'd love it if I had the time!
Keep us posted on your numbers & hope we all have successful fledgings this year!
I know I lost at least 8 to heat last year!
Take Care!!
Lila
2009--1 ASY & 1 SY Pair
2010--6 Pairs
2011--11 Successful Pairs + 1 Late Pair that lost their brood to heat!
2012--18 ASY Pairs & 1 SY Pair---104 eggs so far! 1 SY nest lost to infanticide! :o(
Lila
2009--1 ASY & 1 SY Pair
2010--6 Pairs
2011--11 Successful Pairs + 1 Late Pair that lost their brood to heat!
2012--18 ASY Pairs & 1 SY Pair---104 eggs so far! 1 SY nest lost to infanticide! :o(
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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.
Thank you all for the words of encouragement and enthusiasm. 
The young in gourd 51 are expected to fledge around April 28. I wish I could put a camera in that gourd to watch them. Maybe I'll be able to see them fledge -- probably not...
We won't know they have fledged until we open the access cap and find nobody home...
The young in gourd 51 are expected to fledge around April 28. I wish I could put a camera in that gourd to watch them. Maybe I'll be able to see them fledge -- probably not...
We won't know they have fledged until we open the access cap and find nobody home...Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
Boy Larverne, that is a big bunch of eggs, not to mention that your subs will most likely fill the other 17 gourds. I sure hope that your weather holds out this year.
What are the odds of 7 in a nest all hatching? That must be beautiful around there watching all thoes birds in the air,what a dream. Best of luck with them.
Ed.
What are the odds of 7 in a nest all hatching? That must be beautiful around there watching all thoes birds in the air,what a dream. Best of luck with them.
Ed.
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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.
We have just spent over an hour outside watching the Purple Martins and the Mockingbirds. When you cock your head back and look straight up you can see the PMs flying way up there. They look like little specks. Then a group of four hawks flew through and they all shrieked and chased after the hawks and then there were a bunch of buzzards sailing by. There's a lot of activity up there in the sky. Pretty amazing.
We do have several SY PMs. I think there are two Subbie Males and I haven't been able to count the SY females yet. These two SY Males are behaving (I'm guess like adults) and the ASY Males are leaving them alone for now...
I love to watch the Purple Martins fold their wings and drop from way up yonder. They can be inside their gourds from hundreds of feet up within a matter of seconds.
Watch your birds, and enjoy...
We do have several SY PMs. I think there are two Subbie Males and I haven't been able to count the SY females yet. These two SY Males are behaving (I'm guess like adults) and the ASY Males are leaving them alone for now...
I love to watch the Purple Martins fold their wings and drop from way up yonder. They can be inside their gourds from hundreds of feet up within a matter of seconds.
Watch your birds, and enjoy...
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Patrick W. Dusek
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 9:35 pm
- Location: Sugar Land, Texas
Laverne, Congrats sounds great!! What do you think about the temps they are predicted this weekend, should we in Alvin and Sugar Land with young and eggs be worried??? Thanks Patrick
Spring time yet???