Big Winds out of the South

[Spiderman]

Should be a new wave of Martins pushing North today & Wednesday. Wind is close to 30mph here in East Texas. Living on a lake we Host allot of Martins that are in their migration northward.

We have 18 Martins here that are "extras" right now. They feed together and all try to stay in just a few gourds that are not occupied and not in the best location on the rack at night. They usually are the last birds to come in each night right before total darkness. ASY's and SY's mixed

They have been here 3 days so far. I know one day soon they will not be with our Martins when they come in for the night.

I used to get my hopes up but have learned over the years. Years ago we had well over 100 extra Martins come in one night. It was a site to see. Invited friends over the next night to enjoy the spectacle. I think we had 18 Martins at the time and that was all that came in for the night....lol.

[C.C.Martins]

Wind is up here too (as usual) last night had almost 20 extra birds follow the residents down, a few stuck around sleeping on outer porches, night before had more but they never came down, they took off north as the residents settled in. Like yours they seem to hang out all day together eating and looking over the gourds but come just before sundown the residents are serious about their cavity. Its so great to watch, they are all hovering over the house in layers, then start diving and the fun begins.

Lots of swallows passing through, fun to watch them interact with the martins as the groups collide.
This is real early yet yes, lots will get pushed north...with this wind they may be 100 miles inland before they know it. There is another big storm heading this way, dipping low through central Texas should pull more birds up north with it.

watch those storms come here: https://www.windy.com

[mjfog]

I had a group of 20 to 30 barn swallows over my colony yesterday evening. My martins interacted with them and I learned as did the martins, barn swallows don't need any flying lessons from martins. They are both "Top Gun" fighter pilots!
After a 15 minute air show, the barneys drifted north.

[mjfog]

I had a group of 20 to 30 barn swallows over my colony yesterday evening. My martins interacted with them and I learned as did the martins, barn swallows don't need any flying lessons from martins. They are both "Top Gun" fighter pilots!
After a 15 minute air show, the barneys drifted north.

[C.C.Martins]

Mjfog, they are real fast and Top Gun describes that well! I wish I had them ion our property as well, there is a low bridge over a strip of water near where I work...they are there every year. I make it a point to watch them when Im out that way.

any ideas on chimney swifts? my neighbor is waiting for their pair from last year...nada. they fear the worst. thought Id ask.

[Whippy]

I heart,

I have chimney swifts in my neighborhood (Plano, TX) . I've seen as many as four so far. The first one I saw was two or three weeks ago then others trickled in afterwards. Hope that helps.

Coolwhips

[C.C.Martins]

whippy, it does will relay thanks sir.

[JRow]

any ideas on chimney swifts? my neighbor is waiting for their pair from last year...nada. they fear the worst. thought Id ask.

They were in New Orleans last week as well!

[C.C.Martins]

Thanks JRow, I hope her swifts return. She's finding herself standing in front of the fireplace now listening. Something we Martin fans can completely understand.

[Patrick W. Dusek]

Also seeing swifts in Sugar Land Texas. Saw some new Martins also today.

[C.C.Martins]

Thanks! So shes surrounded by swifts and her birds haven't come home yet...boy. I think she will appreciate them all the more when they do arrive.

[mjfog]

No swifts over my place yet but they are regular visitors. I'll post my first observations.