Well I did it!
I posted videos on youtube of my Martins eating this morning. Here is the link to all of them. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0OMN7A ... ature=mhee
I will be feeding crickets later and will post those too.
Doug
Martins eating eggs video
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
Very interesting Doug, thanks for posting.
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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Hanover Bill
- Posts: 657
- Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 3:10 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania/Hanover Township
- Martin Colony History: 2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
Hi Doug;
Great videos Doug, I really enjoyed them. Your Martins are certainly fortunate to have you as a landlord, you take great care of them.
Bill.
Great videos Doug, I really enjoyed them. Your Martins are certainly fortunate to have you as a landlord, you take great care of them.
Bill.
2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
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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.
Yes, very good videos, Doug! Purple Martins are pretty smart birds. Your videos prove that your personal colony can be trained to eat your offerings and survive the harsh times the weather can throw at them. I know there are some people out there (maybe not members of this Forum) but landlords out there somewhere who are still unfamiliar with supplemental feeding.
It's great!! Rewarding and a lotta fun!!
It's great!! Rewarding and a lotta fun!!
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Tim Stover
- Posts: 505
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:04 pm
- Location: Tennesse/Madisonville
good job Doug 
so far had to feed nothing here even though i did slang a few eggs 
so far had to feed nothing here even though i did slang a few eggs 2009 2pair 2010 24pair 2011 106 pair
2012 124 pair
2013 145
2014 170 pair
+
2012 124 pair
2013 145
2014 170 pair
+
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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 2444
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
- Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
- Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged
Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged
Doug -- Great pics.. They look like they are trained well.. and hungry.. Thanks
Dave
Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio
Those martins seemed so close in the videos, it was like you could have reached out and touched them. Great videos....thanks for sharing.
Tim
2014 - 36 gourds, 163 fledged, F.R. 83%
2013 - 18 gourds, 61 fledged, F.R. 87%
2012 - 14 gourds, 29 fledged, F.R. 74%
PMCA Member
2014 - 36 gourds, 163 fledged, F.R. 83%
2013 - 18 gourds, 61 fledged, F.R. 87%
2012 - 14 gourds, 29 fledged, F.R. 74%
PMCA Member