A Good Day

[switchgrass2001]

I have said over the past couple years that God created purple martins to work on my patience. This year has been no exception. We have had strange and difficult weather like so many others have described. I live in SW Minnesota and we had a pretty tough winter and a very late spring. After 8 unsuccessful years, I had my first nesting pair last year, an SY male and an SY female. They were banner parents and fledged five young. I had a portable housing setup that I moved throughout the years in an effort to find a location that the birds preferred. After the successful nest last year, I put up a permanent pole with a 12-gourd setup. I then anxiously awaited their arrival. They didn't come and they didn't come and they didn't come! I have had numerous SY visitors over the years and figured out that they showed up around the middle of May, so I assumed that ASYs should show up around early to mid-April. I had three ASY males visit my setup on April 20th and I thought I was set. They perched for 3 hours and moved on. I saw a second ASY male on May 1st. He checked out a couple gourds for a few minutes and moved on. Nothing after that until yesterday. Our family was out on the back patio when I heard the distinct sound of a PM. I looked over at the setup and a lone ASY male was perched above. Within an hour an ASY female joined him. They fed overhead for a couple hours and without any pomp and circumstance or hesitation went into spend the night in the same gourd (south facing) that the successful pair nested in last year! Could it be possible that it is the exact same pair - they sure seemed comfortable? A crazy cold spring with snow on the ground late and extremely cold temperatures. I'll have to wait and see if they stick around, but I'll enjoy every minute that they are here. I simply love spring. I continue to enjoy the forum members sharing information and stories. Thank you.

[C.C.Martins]

Isn't it great? Glad they both made it. Could very well be the same pair, hope the weather breaks and they draw in more occupants for you.
Tom