Green leaves...and I'm happy

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DakotaLady
Posts: 654
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
Location: Bismarck, ND

Greetings,

I have 2 pairs that are building nests. One pair is beginning to carry in green leaves. I think she will begin laying eggs any day now. Both pair are ASY's.

I have quite a few other martins around too. Mostly, young males that are behaving themselves so well. No one seems to be causing the problems I read that some of you have at your colonies. It seems there are 8 birds here flying around but only 4 birds (my 2 pair) that are spending the night. It is very possible that I do not see the others come in under cover of darkness.

I can hardly believe that I finally have birds around. This is amazing! At first there was a lot of noise, but now everyone sits fairly quiet preening and watching what is going on around them.

I hope all of you are enjoying your martins.
~Tangula~

2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
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Stephen Thomas
Posts: 359
Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2003 8:24 am
Location: LeRoy/IL

Congratulations!!!! I knew you would have them some day.
Steve Thomas (LeRoy,Il) trying since 2003, visitors 2006 & 2007 had 1 visitor.
2009 had 6 visitors, 3ASY & 3females(1 male serious)
2010 1ASY male & 1ASYfemale, May 9, 2010 I became a landlord
2011 They came back. Got cold .they left. Never came back. starting over.
2012 1 came by. 2013 (0)
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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.

Sounds like you are doing well.

Not too late for a few more pairs to set up shop.

Believe me.... I know the feeling of disbelief when you first get them coming. Kind of shocking.

good luck to you!
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.
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DornCounty
Posts: 2169
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
Location: Rural SE Kansas
Martin Colony History: .
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Trio-Jedi

nice
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
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DakotaLady
Posts: 654
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
Location: Bismarck, ND

Thank you everyone. I have 7 or 8 birds hanging around all day. Tonight I had 7 spend the night. I think one of the young males is trying to get a female to nest.

I'm going to redo one of my wooden houses. I'm going to attempt to make a super 24 gourd rack out of it. I have some ideas and will be going shopping tomorrow for the supplies. I think that will help in getting more birds to nest.

I will take photos and try to post them here. I'm having trouble posting photos though and need to figure out what is wrong. I get an error that tells me my 1 mb limit has been met. I don't know how to delete any of my other photos.

I'm having so much fun watching my birds that I'm not getting much of anything done around here. My house needs cleaning desperately and my gardens need weeding but I just want to sit and watch them. I'm feeling as though I'm obsessed by them. UGH!
~Tangula~

2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
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