Still coming in!
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
I am very pleased to say that I have three, maybe four pairs so far. More arrived today. I had a chance to sit outside for a bit this morning before heading to work and was delighted to see all of the activity. I will try to get some images this evening if I can. But so far things are looking good here.
PMCA Member
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I get my best measure of how many birds are calling my gourds home right at sunset as they finish up feeding and kinda sweep up any bugs in the yard before they hit the gourds. There is a big swarm of birds (well as many as there are) flying around in the vicinity of the racks. The activity kind of reminds me of the roost except they do not swirl around in a circle.
2014 8 gourds, 3 pairs nested. Ended w/ 24 total
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
Activity can be assessed in the morning too, as many martins will arrive in the morning. I had three pair come in last night, four pair were there this morning with two circling overhead. If all goes well, in theory I should have at least eight pairs this year. Crossing my fingers. I will reserve my final conclusion until I have eggs in the nest though.Chris B wrote:I get my best measure of how many birds are calling my gourds home right at sunset as they finish up feeding and kinda sweep up any bugs in the yard before they hit the gourds. There is a big swarm of birds (well as many as there are) flying around in the vicinity of the racks. The activity kind of reminds me of the roost except they do not swirl around in a circle.
PMCA Member
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MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
That's great news Chuck! With all that activity, you may very well wind up with more than 8 pair... and SYs are coming to add to the excitement. How fun! Loking fwd to your pictures.
~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
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pmartinlover2
- Posts: 521
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:37 pm
- Location: IL/Hillsboro
- Martin Colony History: 2011 Home site--1 SY pair--2 fledged
2016 Satellite Site---4 pair--19 eggs laid--17 hatched--16 fledged
2017 Satellite Site--8 pair--37 eggs laid--34 hatched--34 fledged
2018 11 pair--fledged 60
2019 20 pair-fledged 94
2020 23pair-fledged 108
That's exciting Chuck. I can only imagine how thrilled you must be! Pics would be great!
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Jody
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Jody
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
Wonderful news Chuck! Good luck this year!
Sharon from southern Illinois
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Jose Rodriguez
- Posts: 692
- Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:34 am
- Location: FL/Belleview
That's awesome news Chuck! Congratulations!
PMCA Member
"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
I had a chance to observe and take some photos this evening of some of the martin activity. It was really amazing to see them being so active. there was a lot of fighting going on. I have either four or five pairs so far. It's hard to keep up with all of the activity. It's really happening! The martins are back! Here are a few images:
Here are a few images:
PMCA Member
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
Thanks everyone for the kind words! It was a great evening.
PMCA Member
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pmartinlover2
- Posts: 521
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:37 pm
- Location: IL/Hillsboro
- Martin Colony History: 2011 Home site--1 SY pair--2 fledged
2016 Satellite Site---4 pair--19 eggs laid--17 hatched--16 fledged
2017 Satellite Site--8 pair--37 eggs laid--34 hatched--34 fledged
2018 11 pair--fledged 60
2019 20 pair-fledged 94
2020 23pair-fledged 108
Fabulous photos Chuck. Thanks for sharing your martins with us.
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Jody
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Jody
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
I like the one where he's after the bug! Great job! 
Sharon from southern Illinois
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MichaelH
- Posts: 586
- Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:10 am
- Location: IL/Gillespie
- Martin Colony History: 2015 28 cavities 2 pairs
2016 big upgrade 56cavities 16 pairs great year
2017. 76 cavities 36 pairs
2018. 146 cavities
That's just fantastic ,hi chuck a nubee here such good news on the colony that feeling you get from watching and experiencing these birds is great isn't it hope all goes well for you ,Mick
2018 146 cavities.
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KBoothby
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:05 am
- Location: Ontario/Langton
- Martin Colony History: 2021: 46 pairs
2020: 39 pairs (24 gourds added for total of 54 cavities)
2019: 22 pairs
2018: 19 pairs
2017: 25 pairs (condo predators - steps taken)
2016: 22 pairs
2015: 17 pairs
2014: 9 pairs
2013: 7 pairs (12 gourds added for total of 30 cavities)
2012: 1 pair
2011: 1 pair (first year: 14 rm condo/4 gourds)
Fabulous photos. Can't wait for them to arrive here!
Kathryn
Kathryn
Happy Trails. Kathryn (PMCA Member & Nature Lover)
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MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Chuck, I can imagine how thrilled you must be! Loved the pics. The one after the bug was amazing! 
That photo needs to go in the Update magazine! Thanks for sharing and keep the photos coming. It sure helps those of us still waiting to share in your excitement! Landlording Vicariously. Or something like that. 
That photo needs to go in the Update magazine! Thanks for sharing and keep the photos coming. It sure helps those of us still waiting to share in your excitement! Landlording Vicariously. Or something like that. ~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
Thanks so much everyone! Just two weeks ago I was wondering if my martins would make it back with all of the bad, cold weather. Now I know they have and are okay!
Best of luck to everyone still waiting on their martins. I hope everyone has a successful season.
Best of luck to everyone still waiting on their martins. I hope everyone has a successful season.
PMCA Member
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birdy girl
- Posts: 1179
- Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:09 am
- Location: Mississippi/Dumas
Great pictures! Thanks for sharing with us here. Hope you have full housing this year.
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Ladybug
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Indiana/ Jamestown
- Martin Colony History: 2005-2019. Lots lookers, 2 successful nesting's.
2010-1 pair nested, 4 eggs destroyed(Wren).
2012- 1 pair nested, 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2019- 1 pair nested, 4 eggs, 4 fledged.
2021- 10 pair, 40 babies fledged.
2022- 17 pair, 10 eggs not hatched= appxy. 57 fledged.
Chuck:
Thanks for the beautiful photos. Very inspiring. Anxious for them to return.
What size lens did you use?
Thanks. Good Luck.
Thanks for the beautiful photos. Very inspiring. Anxious for them to return.
What size lens did you use?
Thanks. Good Luck.
Joanne