I know it's time to have a fish fry and a little blackberry tonight! I did it my way!
Good luck to everyone that is waiting! Your dreams will come true! But you have to make it right for them!
I am officially a landlord now!
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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!
They all are in the air! At sunrise this morning one took off. Then they all followed! What a wonderful day! I've worked so hard for this moment! I thank everyone for teaching me what needed done! AL and his girl helped with the fledging!
I know it's time to have a fish fry and a little blackberry tonight! I did it my way!
Good luck to everyone that is waiting! Your dreams will come true! But you have to make it right for them!
I know it's time to have a fish fry and a little blackberry tonight! I did it my way!
Good luck to everyone that is waiting! Your dreams will come true! But you have to make it right for them!
Sharon from southern Illinois
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Kuemic
- Posts: 176
- Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 7:17 pm
- Location: Topeka, KS
- Martin Colony History: 2015 1 pair, 2 eggs destroyed by HOSP
2016 1 pair, 2 fledged, HOSP 46
2017 1 pair, 5 fledged, HOSP 14
2018 daily visitors, HOSP 12
2019 1 pair, 2 fledged, HOSP 14
2020 1pair, 5 fledged, HOSP 17
2021 2 pair, 7 fledged, HOSP 21
2022 3 pair, 12 fledged, HOSP 18
2023 8 pair, 35 fledged, HOSP 16
2024 13 pair, 55 fledged, HOSP 11
CONGRATULATIONS SHARON!!!!! What a joy and a relief it is! Know you'll have even more next season!
We must have about the same schedule - today our 5 are finally in the air (and not hanging out on the neighbor's roof). I still hear mama martin circling so I know they are hanging fairly close. Glad they were all able to fledge today - since 4th of July we've had 4 SY males and 2 females hanging around creating a lot of chaos, but we've enjoyed the action!
Now we both get to watch the evening skies for the little ones to return - hopefully for several nights! So glad for you, enjoy that fish fry - and is that blackberry cobbler or blackberry wine?
--Michelle
We must have about the same schedule - today our 5 are finally in the air (and not hanging out on the neighbor's roof). I still hear mama martin circling so I know they are hanging fairly close. Glad they were all able to fledge today - since 4th of July we've had 4 SY males and 2 females hanging around creating a lot of chaos, but we've enjoyed the action!
Now we both get to watch the evening skies for the little ones to return - hopefully for several nights! So glad for you, enjoy that fish fry - and is that blackberry cobbler or blackberry wine?
--Michelle
Michelle in Topeka
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~Ray~Gingerich
- Posts: 2122
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: Delaware/Dover
Congatulations! I know you tried many things to get your martins,what one thing did you do that in your opinion contributed the most.
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
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cabin man
- Posts: 92
- Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2012 11:55 am
- Location: New Jersey / Tinton Falls
- Martin Colony History: Got my first SY pair in 2017. Fledged 1, but died due to wing entrapment. 2018- changed all entrances and got one ASY pair. Fledged 3. 2019- Male returned. Disappeared after 12 days. Suspect hawk. No nesting pairs. 2020- 1 pair. Fledged 3. 2021- 12 pairs fledged 43.. 2022- 22pairs. 100 eggs .fledged74 2024–. 42 pairs, fledged186– 2025- 56 pairs, fledged 233
Congratulations! I am hoping for that day, myself. Mine are due to hatch any day now. It's such a great feeling isn't it?
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
Congrats Sharon, wow! You did it and yep, you have earned landlord! Its not over, she will bring them home for a while yet. They crash around, landing isn't the easy part.
Had 4 take off, two still come home and sleep on a lower balcony every night. waiting for the others to fly soon.
You did it and yep, you have earned landlord! Its not over, she will bring them home for a while yet. They crash around, landing isn't the easy part.Had 4 take off, two still come home and sleep on a lower balcony every night. waiting for the others to fly soon.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3792
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
Did you notice any other visitors today? Not sure how they communicate it but it seems like the first day that eggs hatch I have a ton of visitors as well as the day babies are first fledging I would always get a bunch of martins from other colonies helping with first flights.
This year at my new place I have 3 SY pair. The most I have seen here at one time was 8-10 martins. One morning I had over 20 (several ASY's) hanging around. I went out and checked and sure enough eggs had started hatching that morning.
This year at my new place I have 3 SY pair. The most I have seen here at one time was 8-10 martins. One morning I had over 20 (several ASY's) hanging around. I went out and checked and sure enough eggs had started hatching that morning.
2026 HOSP 29
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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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!
Oh my gosh I'm so emotional today! They have come back several times and I can hear them in the air every so often! This is the best feeling when you know you did your job for them! I had good predator guards! I had good quality gourds vented for good air flow and did mite prevention! I kept Starlings and sparrows away from my site! I'm just so relieved! Now I pray they make it back! But if they don't I'll do all over again! It was so worth all the sweat and tears! 
Flyin Lowe! I had 22-23 birds here today! It was a party at the taxidermy shop!!!!
Oh I forgot its blackberry wine! Homemade, I make it from my blackberries! I was so excited this morning i forgot to finish my sentence!
Flyin Lowe! I had 22-23 birds here today! It was a party at the taxidermy shop!!!!
Oh I forgot its blackberry wine! Homemade, I make it from my blackberries! I was so excited this morning i forgot to finish my sentence!
Sharon from southern Illinois
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Bcorbs1217
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:22 am
- Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
- Martin Colony History: Active colony since 2005.
Congratulations, Sharon. I'm glad that my first year posting on the forum is when you got your martins. I will always remember this as your year!
Becky Corbett. PM landlord since 2005; 12 supergourds.
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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!
Ray thank very much! I sure enjoyed every minute of it! Sorry it took me so long to respond! I've been kind of a Bird brain today! Lol~Ray~Gingerich wrote:Congatulations! I know you tried many things to get your martins,what one thing did you do that in your opinion contributed the most.
I think what helped me the most is the tree removal! In a span of 5 years I've cut down and ground a lot of stumps! The other thing I did and didn't do the years before is offer round cavities! It's what they chose and all they know around this area! It was a wonderful experience! Good luck with your colony this year!
Sharon from southern Illinois
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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.
CONGRATS Sharon . You did great. I know how you felt once those chicks went airborne.
It's not over until they leave tho. Many will stay for a few days up to a few weeks, as the chicks learn to catch food, fly better & land. Keep an eye on any grounded chicks. Sometimes they can't find food & parents won't feed them or they get soaked in a rain storm, end up on the ground & need rescued (approach slowly, toss a towel over them or use a butterfly net-just posting this in case you have an emergency & no one is here to help you at the time) & dried off (wrap in paper towels for a few minutes & put back in the nest).
Then one day the parents decide it time for them to head to a main roost & off they go. Many times they will leave early in the morning. They'll fly around a few times, calling as if to say goodbye until next year & off they go. This is the worst time for landlords. The lack of sound is deafening. You finally realize just how much sound they really make. Leave your houses up into late October, as you could get visitors migrating. Then clean them out & winterize.
Drag out the photos you took & drool over them until spring. Now you have time to get all those projects done you let go, because you spent all your time watching the Martins, LOL.
Again Congrats Sharon.
Toy in PA
. You did great. I know how you felt once those chicks went airborne. It's not over until they leave tho. Many will stay for a few days up to a few weeks, as the chicks learn to catch food, fly better & land. Keep an eye on any grounded chicks. Sometimes they can't find food & parents won't feed them or they get soaked in a rain storm, end up on the ground & need rescued (approach slowly, toss a towel over them or use a butterfly net-just posting this in case you have an emergency & no one is here to help you at the time) & dried off (wrap in paper towels for a few minutes & put back in the nest).
Then one day the parents decide it time for them to head to a main roost & off they go. Many times they will leave early in the morning. They'll fly around a few times, calling as if to say goodbye until next year & off they go. This is the worst time for landlords. The lack of sound is deafening. You finally realize just how much sound they really make. Leave your houses up into late October, as you could get visitors migrating. Then clean them out & winterize.
Drag out the photos you took & drool over them until spring. Now you have time to get all those projects done you let go, because you spent all your time watching the Martins, LOL.
Again Congrats Sharon.
Toy in PA
PMCA Member
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handyman315
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 11:03 am
- Location: SW Ohio
- Martin Colony History: Colony established May 20, 2017 after three unsuccessful years. Persistent and aggressive Tree Swallows plagued the site, but beyond learning - and practicing - to control them, was the return in 2017 of a 2016-SY-M previously unable to find a mate. As a handsome ASY-M, he brought along two females and a swagger that soon put the Tree Swallow issue to rest. As the anchor pair, he and his mate hatched all six of their eggs into fat and healthy babies into what settled in to be a three-pair, flourishing new colony with up to 11 birds total, including 3 SY-M trouble makers.
Congrats!
As a newbie, did not know about the visitor thing at/near fledging time until reading this thread, i.e., been having lots of visitors at my site that I could not explain, even a couple new ASY-Ms!
As a newbie, did not know about the visitor thing at/near fledging time until reading this thread, i.e., been having lots of visitors at my site that I could not explain, even a couple new ASY-Ms!
2023-42 Nests, 197 Eggs/Babies
2022-48 Nests Fledged 203
2021-43 Nests Fledged 185
2020-31 Nests Fledged 133, three early deaths due to cold & rain
2019-19 Nests Fledged 84
2018-11 Nests Fledged 48, ASY-M Arrived April 6, Despite Snow & Cold, Joined Soon by Mate & Two Adult Pairs
2017-3 Nests Fledged 13, FIRST-YEAR LANDLORD! Resident SY-M from 2016 Returned (as ASY-M) on May 20. At Least 11 Adult Residents
2016 Late-Arriving SYs, Resident Lone SY-M
2015-14 Many Visits
2022-48 Nests Fledged 203
2021-43 Nests Fledged 185
2020-31 Nests Fledged 133, three early deaths due to cold & rain
2019-19 Nests Fledged 84
2018-11 Nests Fledged 48, ASY-M Arrived April 6, Despite Snow & Cold, Joined Soon by Mate & Two Adult Pairs
2017-3 Nests Fledged 13, FIRST-YEAR LANDLORD! Resident SY-M from 2016 Returned (as ASY-M) on May 20. At Least 11 Adult Residents
2016 Late-Arriving SYs, Resident Lone SY-M
2015-14 Many Visits
im so glad for u Sharon I waited 17 years for mine
2015 69 pairs 418 eggs 396 fledged
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged
2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged
2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3792
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
Hopefully it is early enough they will stick around for a little bit. In my area it is typical for them to fledge middle to end of July. I am not sure if they are in a hurry to get south or what but it s not uncommon at all for them to leave within a day or two of fledgein. My second year I had 12 pair. They started fledging on a Thursday and by the middle of the next week every martin at my place was gone. They learned to fly and were taking off and heading south very quickly. They left so quick I thought maybe something had happened like a snake or something but they next spring they all came back plus many more.
2026 HOSP 29
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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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!
Thanks everyone for the kind words! I'm still beaming I'm so proud! I get 3-4 visitors every morning! They talk to me and I talk to them! It's so nice they stop by! I feel privileged! 81/2 more months and we do it all over again!
Sharon from southern Illinois
