The reports, from Volant and Mercer, are so close together it could almost be the same martin: http://www.purplemartin.org/scoutreport ... =2014&S=PA This is on western boundary of PA, close to Youngstown OH.
Here's hoping for good weather! Last week of March is typical time for first arrival report from PA, so these reports fit into average time window for first martins back.
Purple Martins back in PA - two reports
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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White River Valley Martin
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:18 pm
- Location: Indiana/ Sandborn
If we dont get some warm weather soon, I will just have dead martins. I have 5 back here in indiana and the just wont break.
2010 23 nesting pairs
2011 76 nesting pairs
2012 109 pairs, fledged 430 babies
2013 ??
2011 76 nesting pairs
2012 109 pairs, fledged 430 babies
2013 ??
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ToyinPA
- Posts: 2227
- Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
- Location: PA/Avis
- Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.
My houses are up, nest trays are loaded, 5000 crickets in freezer & plenty of hand warmers. Bring them north 
. Even if weather reports still saying another week of below normal temps...I can keep them well fed & warm. I flipped crickets in the snow last year for them.
Saw/heard first male House Finch yesterday.
Many geese have been flying over heading north.
Starling trap is set
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Toy in PA
. Even if weather reports still saying another week of below normal temps...I can keep them well fed & warm. I flipped crickets in the snow last year for them.Saw/heard first male House Finch yesterday.
Many geese have been flying over heading north.
Starling trap is set
.Toy in PA
PMCA Member
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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.
Just got back from the Carolinas and noticed the report.
I wondered if there may be one come in while I was gone.
Thinking my old male will be back pretty early this year. Hopefully he didn't get caught up in the nasty weather down south.
5000 crickets will be delivered tomorrow. If he shows there will be plenty to eat.
Doug
I wondered if there may be one come in while I was gone.
Thinking my old male will be back pretty early this year. Hopefully he didn't get caught up in the nasty weather down south.
5000 crickets will be delivered tomorrow. If he shows there will be plenty to eat.
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.