Just arrived.
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Badger
- Posts: 51
- Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:37 pm
- Location: Shenandoah Valley VA
- Martin Colony History: Martin landlord since 2016. 48 super gourds all with crescent openings and porches.
I have about 8 Martins that just arrived today here in central Shenandoah Valley of VA. 3 have already started to explore my super gourds. I have 8 of 16 gourds open for now. This is my 2nd year as a landlord. I'm excited to see how many more nests ill have this year than last year. .
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Badger,
If you already have 8 martins this early in the season, then you are going to be full with 16 pair this year. I wouldn't be surprised if you have to double your colony size for next year.
Mark.
If you already have 8 martins this early in the season, then you are going to be full with 16 pair this year. I wouldn't be surprised if you have to double your colony size for next year.
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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Badger
- Posts: 51
- Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:37 pm
- Location: Shenandoah Valley VA
- Martin Colony History: Martin landlord since 2016. 48 super gourds all with crescent openings and porches.
I hope they stay but I think the next couple of days may tell if they do or are just passing through. I have a pair of tree swallows hanging around the house to. Hope this won't be a problem. Last year was my first year and I had 3 pair to nest and several loners that stayed all summer. Looking foward to this year.
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
I agree, it is hard to tell when new martins are going to stay and nest or whether they are migrating through.
I noticed that you have SuperGourds which are very good gourds and that you had 3 pair and some bachelors last year. Since you have early martins this season, you must have a good location.
Between those circumstances, I am predicting that you will have a successful season. Along with starling and sparrow control, pole predator guard, mite/parasite control, nest checks, and luck, you will have a successful colony.
Mark.
I noticed that you have SuperGourds which are very good gourds and that you had 3 pair and some bachelors last year. Since you have early martins this season, you must have a good location.
Between those circumstances, I am predicting that you will have a successful season. Along with starling and sparrow control, pole predator guard, mite/parasite control, nest checks, and luck, you will have a successful colony.
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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Ravens5281
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:14 pm
- Location: Seymour, Indiana
- Martin Colony History: PMCA Member:
Name: Stu Silver III
Begin trying to start a Colony since 2014
Had 2 Martins Visitors stop by (2014)
(2015) 2 Martins Visitors passed through
(2016) 35 Days that Martins Visitors/Stopped by but didn't nest
Provide tree swallow houses & or gourds so that they have a place to nest & they shouldn't bother the martins!!!
Stu III
Stu III
PMCA Member: From Seymour, Indiana
Name: Stu Silver III
Begin trying to start a Colony since 2014
Had 2 Martins Visitors stop by (2014)
(2015) 2 Martins Visitors passed through
(2016) 35 Days that Martins Visitors/Stopped by but didn't nest
Name: Stu Silver III
Begin trying to start a Colony since 2014
Had 2 Martins Visitors stop by (2014)
(2015) 2 Martins Visitors passed through
(2016) 35 Days that Martins Visitors/Stopped by but didn't nest
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avesrun
- Posts: 1127
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:10 pm
- Location: Iowa/West Des Moines
- Martin Colony History: Home Site: 2017- 0
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
Satellite Site: 2017 (3rd season)
34 pair
Fledged- 102
I second what Stu said! If you can get 1 or 2 bb houses up 25-35ft. on either side of the martin poles the TS should take to them and will cause less stress on your newly established site. You are quite blessed to have already had martins otherwise the TS can pose a problem....... have a great season!
PMCA Member
Home Site: 2012-15 visitors
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
2017-18 Zero
2019- 3 Successful Pr
2020- 21pr, fledged 76
Satellite Site: 2014 - visitors
2015 - 2 pair fledged 9
2016 - 13 pair fledged 44
2017 - 31 pair fledged 118
2018 - 44 pair 163 fledged
2019- 49 pr 219 fledged
2020- 47 pr 209 fledged
Home Site: 2012-15 visitors
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
2017-18 Zero
2019- 3 Successful Pr
2020- 21pr, fledged 76
Satellite Site: 2014 - visitors
2015 - 2 pair fledged 9
2016 - 13 pair fledged 44
2017 - 31 pair fledged 118
2018 - 44 pair 163 fledged
2019- 49 pr 219 fledged
2020- 47 pr 209 fledged
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Badger
- Posts: 51
- Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:37 pm
- Location: Shenandoah Valley VA
- Martin Colony History: Martin landlord since 2016. 48 super gourds all with crescent openings and porches.
I have 31/2 acres boarding a river. I have 1 acre that I have nothing planted in but grass. Thats where my pole is. My pole is apx 80' to the nearest tree. Other than that it is wide open fields in 3 directions for apx 1/4 mile or more. For the last 20 + years when hay is being cut the PM and TS would swoop in for the bugs that get churned up. I'll also get them when I mow my grass. I have 4 BB houses that at least 1 is used by the BB. I also have 3 TS houses in the acre that's open and I have been getting 2 pr the last couple of years. I think I have just about everything covered.
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avesrun
- Posts: 1127
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:10 pm
- Location: Iowa/West Des Moines
- Martin Colony History: Home Site: 2017- 0
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
Satellite Site: 2017 (3rd season)
34 pair
Fledged- 102
Tree Swallows may still cause interference/ competition and attempt to drive away martins if you do not have a box for them within 25-35ft. Of the martin housing. Especially if you already have a TS pair showing interest in the martin cavities. Time will tell. Best of season!
PMCA Member
Home Site: 2012-15 visitors
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
2017-18 Zero
2019- 3 Successful Pr
2020- 21pr, fledged 76
Satellite Site: 2014 - visitors
2015 - 2 pair fledged 9
2016 - 13 pair fledged 44
2017 - 31 pair fledged 118
2018 - 44 pair 163 fledged
2019- 49 pr 219 fledged
2020- 47 pr 209 fledged
Home Site: 2012-15 visitors
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
2017-18 Zero
2019- 3 Successful Pr
2020- 21pr, fledged 76
Satellite Site: 2014 - visitors
2015 - 2 pair fledged 9
2016 - 13 pair fledged 44
2017 - 31 pair fledged 118
2018 - 44 pair 163 fledged
2019- 49 pr 219 fledged
2020- 47 pr 209 fledged
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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 2445
- 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
2026 - 41 Pair, 182 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
2026 - 28 Pair. 116 Fledged
Good Advice to everyone ..... Stu....Ravens5281 wrote:Provide tree swallow houses & or gourds so that they have a place to nest & they shouldn't bother the martins!!!
Stu III
Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio