Warm front may bring first arrivals to Carolina.

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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.

With all the mix of cold air in this equation this is a tough call.

Will he stay? or will he go?

The smart thing to do is stay in Florida or further south but.....

This warm front on Weds ahead of a low pressure area, is a typical mover of the migrating birds north. I think there is a bird or two that will ride it.

I will stick my neck out here and say the the first arrival to the Carolina states area could be on Weds with the warm front. Winds will back to the SW and provide a burst of warmer temps and some sun. Not much great weather to speak of afterwards however.

Further south there is not a lot to get excited about for the winds will be predominately pushing from north to south in the Gulf region.

Tough Winter...... but expect some welcome relief for all temperature wise beginning around the middle of this month.

Doug
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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dhjohnson
Posts: 478
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:24 pm
Location: North Carolina/Clayton
Martin Colony History: 5th year hostess. Currently 58 confirmed breeding pair. 218 Fledged, 35 older nestlings, 2 new nests with 8 nestlings. 100% occupancy

Wow Doug...Seriously?
Guess I had better get the pre nests in and the first treatment of Sevin out. Almost all gourds are up. We are repairing and modifying about 10 at this time. The excluder 2 entrances are confounding the starling. May they R.I.P. Soon!
In a waiting and holding pattern here in North Carolina! If they come they will be taken care of!
Debbie
Debbie Johnson
Clayton/NC (Archer Lodge)
2012 New Site 6 pair, 21 Fledged
2013 24 pair, 102 eggs, 94 hatched, 89 Fledged. What a great year!
2014 37 pair, 211 eggs, 193 Hatched, 178 Fledged, 1 nest of 5 young left! Late start but picked up speed quickly!
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dhjohnson
Posts: 478
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:24 pm
Location: North Carolina/Clayton
Martin Colony History: 5th year hostess. Currently 58 confirmed breeding pair. 218 Fledged, 35 older nestlings, 2 new nests with 8 nestlings. 100% occupancy

Okay Doug, South Carolina just posted their First Scout Report!
Getting a little creepy friend!
What else do you see in that magical crystal ball of yours. Just joking Doug...It's all science with a gut instinct right?
Keep those reports coming! It's like being on pins and needles!
Debbie
Debbie Johnson
Clayton/NC (Archer Lodge)
2012 New Site 6 pair, 21 Fledged
2013 24 pair, 102 eggs, 94 hatched, 89 Fledged. What a great year!
2014 37 pair, 211 eggs, 193 Hatched, 178 Fledged, 1 nest of 5 young left! Late start but picked up speed quickly!
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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.

Well Deb.... it looks like only 1 bird covered my butt on this call. Not to mention how close to the GA border it was.

However there was a significant small move into GA and as a result a few new arrivals there Weds with the front too.

The rest of the martin gang is laying low further south for good reason. It is a cold month so far!

When this weather finally changes there will be a flood of arrivals at one time. Don't see that yet but I will post when I do.

By the way when my gut says there's a new scout or two coming to a new state I post it. Won't always be right. Only takes one bird to make a prediction come true. It's mostly for fun.

I think we are all beginning to forget what a "warm front" is.... brrrrr

Doug
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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D'Nese
Posts: 450
Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2010 3:09 pm
Location: Unionville, TN

I've told Doug before he really needs to pick some numbers for the lottery!!!!! LOL
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
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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

D'Nese wrote:I've told Doug before he really needs to pick some numbers for the lottery!!!!! LOL
there is science behind his predictions, unlike the lottery.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
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