When to expect migration south?

Joe W · Sat Jun 22, 2019 7:44 pm

Hello all! I hope someone will be able to help me understand what is happening. This is my first year with Martins after 4 years of trying. I was blessed with 8 nested pairs and over 30 eggs around Easter this year. My best estimate was that most all hatched and fledged with the youngest fledging about two weeks ago. I left town for 7 days returning yesterday afternoon, to my surprise no Martins were in sight! It seems that over 40 Martins had vanished in the last week. None showed that afternoon but this morning I had approximately 10-12 birds. They stuck around to mid-morning then departed. It’s worth noting that the heat index has been over 100 degrees for several days. Has the migration started this early or has the heat driven them to cooler roosting? I lowered and check all compartments to be sure there were no dead birds also.

Any experienced landlords please chime in.

Thanks to all, Joe.

Brad Biddle · Sat Jun 22, 2019 9:09 pm

I don’t know where you’re located but I’m in north AL and I’ve had several hundred leave this week. They’ll gather at premigratory roosts for several weeks before heading to Brazil.

EDIT: I just looked at your profile and see that you’re in NW FL. No worries, it’s definitely time for them to be moving on.

Joe W · Sat Jun 22, 2019 9:29 pm

Brad,
Thanks for the reply. I’m glad to know it’s not something gone wrong,I’m just sorry I wasn’t here to say my goodbyes! I’ll enjoy the ones I have left till they move on.

Thanks again,

Joe.

cary-nw-fla · Sat Jun 22, 2019 10:28 pm

Joe, congrats on your season. If your birds fledged about two ago think you don't have to worry. Maybe some of the ones you're seeing now are checking out your site for next year. I only have a couple of nest left to fledge in the next week, with one late nester to fledge in July. Again, congrats.

Joe W · Sun Jun 23, 2019 9:17 am

[quote=cary-nw-fla post_id=286281 time=1561260506 user_id=5071]
Joe, congrats on your season. If your birds fledged about two ago think you don't have to worry. Maybe some of the ones you're seeing now are checking out your site for next year. I only have a couple of nest left to fledge in the next week, with one late nester to fledge in July. Again, congrats.
[/quote]

Thanks, we’re not that far from each other. Best of luck with the rest of the year.

gmmajor · Sun Jun 23, 2019 1:32 pm

Here in Galveston we get waves of birds coming from up north that stop and visit with our PMs and fuss about the few that are fledging late. The visiting females really get alarmed about seeing babies still being fed. The males just sit and rest. Our PMs are usually all gone by mid to late July. Then we have a huge dragon fly population boom in our back yards.

Conrad Baker · Mon Jun 24, 2019 5:31 am

Seems most of mine are gone. I checked the houses yesterday for babies, eggs, and the ones that didn't survive, and the houses were empty. About 7:00 pm, several came back to the house (or they were visitors to spend the night). Seems like the season is winding down.

Joe W · Tue Jun 25, 2019 6:44 am

Thanks to everyone that responded. I just guess I was expecting them to hang around longer. I sure enjoyed the success I had this year. I also had many opportunities to “show off” my Martins and in the process have convinced a few others to become PM landlords. As I’ve said before, the arrival of the Purple Martin’s has been the “silver lining” after a devastating Cat 5 hurricane we had last October.

Looking forward to next year!

MorganW_AL · Wed Jun 26, 2019 2:15 pm

I've had quite a few leave this week as well in north AL. They have all been ASY pairs who fledged their young first. They get out of dodge fast once the young start to fly well enough. I still have a good many, particularly on the pole that was filled up later, that are nearing fledging in the next couple of weeks.