2022 Final Numbers

[Buckeye658793]

First off I will apologize for long post but I wanted to post about how far I think my small colony has come in the last year.In 2021 I had 6 pair 27 eggs,17 hatched and 17 fledged.This year 2022 I had 25 pair,123 eggs,94 hatched and 92 fledged I had 2 jumpers that didn’t make it.I still have a few that stop in now and again but for the most part they are gone it is very quiet around here.I definitely have some decisions to make in the off season on whether I want to add housing or not.Even though I don’t post often on this forum I spend a lot of time reading posts and I have learned a lot on here and I appreciate all the knowledge I have gained.Thank You

[flyin-lowe]

My season is winding/has wound down as well. I had a very busy work schedule this year and did not get to spend as much time tending to the martins as I have in the past. I typically do next checks every Friday but this year was only able to do a couple and just did walk around check while mowing. I haven't expanded the last couple years and will probably stay where I am at right now. Maybe once my kids are older and I have more time but for now my numbers will stay about the same. Today is the first morning since my season started I have not seen or heard any martins. Looks like the last remaining ones have started the trek north.

[C.C.Martins]

First off I will apologize for long post but I wanted to post about how far I think my small colony has come in the last year.In 2021 I had 6 pair 27 eggs,17 hatched and 17 fledged.This year 2022 I had 25 pair,123 eggs,94 hatched and 92 fledged I had 2 jumpers that didn’t make it.I still have a few that stop in now and again but for the most part they are gone it is very quiet around here.I definitely have some decisions to make in the off season on whether I want to add housing or not.Even though I don’t post often on this forum I spend a lot of time reading posts and I have learned a lot on here and I appreciate all the knowledge I have gained.Thank You

You jumped up 19 pairs, id say that is a fantastic year! Congrats. That is a good number! Guess you could see if you max out with what you have, it boils down to how many you can or are willing to manage.
Yeah it gets quiet unfortunately. Caught myself playing a recording of them singing the dawn song I took in May.
Fun to plan for next year though.

[millerjr88]

First off I will apologize for long post but I wanted to post about how far I think my small colony has come in the last year.In 2021 I had 6 pair 27 eggs,17 hatched and 17 fledged.This year 2022 I had 25 pair,123 eggs,94 hatched and 92 fledged I had 2 jumpers that didn’t make it.I still have a few that stop in now and again but for the most part they are gone it is very quiet around here.I definitely have some decisions to make in the off season on whether I want to add housing or not.Even though I don’t post often on this forum I spend a lot of time reading posts and I have learned a lot on here and I appreciate all the knowledge I have gained.Thank You

Sounds like you had a very successful season, and your post gives me lots of hope for next year. Like you, I don't post a lot but read a lot of posts to gain knowledge. This was my third year, and first year of having ASY martins return. Fledging is complete here also, but still having some activity with 10-12 still around in morning and evening, but pretty quiet throughout the day. I ended up with 5 pair that laid total of 22 eggs, hatched 19, and fledged 16. I lost one nest of 3 nestlings that I believe was due to getting too cold. They hatched on 6/25 and on 6/26 and 6/27 it got down to around 45 degrees. On 6/28 I noticed the martins did not seem to be feeding that nest, so did a nest check and found all 3 huddled together dead. No sign of any parasites so I believe they simply got too cold. I have a T14 house with 2 Troyer gourds hanging on bottom. It seems like my best nest was a SY pair that nested in one of the gourds, they went 100% with 5 eggs and all 5 fledged. If I see a good increase in my colony next year, I plan on adding a second house or gourd rack. Any suggestions on best time to add housing would be appreciated.

[C.C.Martins]

Daniel,
To me best time is while martins are away (off season) but if its not going to interfere with your existing systems and nesting birds you could add anytime.
Might be a good idea to see how it looks next season, you have plenty of room but id expect you to expand real quick.
Sorry about those nestlings, cold weather is a real problem for the young.
All the best,
Tom

[Dave Reynolds]

.. I added my second pole and housing early this spring, before the Martins arrived.. Most of the Martins that returned went straight to the old gourd rack.. After the old rack became full, the new arrivals (SY's) moved into the newer gourd rack.. As I thought they would.. So I think you could put it up any time..

Dave

[Barb07]

I had gotten my purple martin house and a few gourds up late but did end up with one pair. After discussing with several of the landlords on the forum I opted to put up a Troyer rack of 12 gourds. I wanted all the neighboring colonies with fledglings to fly over and inspect my accommodations this year so maybe they'll come back here next spring. I had a lot of interest from several age groups. Keeping my fingers crossed! I do agree it probably doesn't matter although I sure enjoyed watching them all gather here and check out each gourd.