PMCA, Any Martins At New Site?
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Donnie Hurdt MN
- Posts: 1723
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:14 pm
- Location: North Prairie, MN
Just wondering if you guys got any martins at your new digs this year.
PMCA member and Martin fanatic....
2011 A pair of subbies fledged three young but none returned in 2012
2015 One Pair of subbies came and stayed a few nits but got chased away by Bluebirds and Tree swallows.
2017 0ne pair of subbies nested and fledged 4 young
2018 Tree Swallows AGAIN chased away any martins that wanted to nest
2019 Same old story................
2011 A pair of subbies fledged three young but none returned in 2012
2015 One Pair of subbies came and stayed a few nits but got chased away by Bluebirds and Tree swallows.
2017 0ne pair of subbies nested and fledged 4 young
2018 Tree Swallows AGAIN chased away any martins that wanted to nest
2019 Same old story................
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Pat Kramer
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 10:48 am
- Location: Ontario/Toronto
Yes! We set up 3 sites each with a variety of housing and got martins at 2 of them!
Last wednesday we conducted a nest check and found the following:
At our "Sommerheim Dr." site:
There were three eggs in a gourd that an SY-M and an ASY-F had made. In addition to that pair, we have seen as many as 3 other martins at that site. We have a GR-24 with 18 gourds (3 each of 6 types).
At our "Rotary Pavilion" site:
We had 3 nests with green leaves that were not there a week prior. We have consistently seen 2-6 martins hanging around that T-14 with 4 gourds under it for about a week now. I hope to find eggs this wednesday.
At our "Beach 11" site:
We have a Tree Swallow nest in the house which will most likely prevent the establishment of a martin colony at that location. At this site we put a Trendsetter house with 4 gourds under it.
At both sites it appears that there is an excess of SY-Males. This excess of subbies is likely the result of last year's high fledging rate in this area. Not one of the birds observed at our new sites has bands.
If you are in the area, stop into the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and pick up a "martin map" brochure.
Last wednesday we conducted a nest check and found the following:
At our "Sommerheim Dr." site:
There were three eggs in a gourd that an SY-M and an ASY-F had made. In addition to that pair, we have seen as many as 3 other martins at that site. We have a GR-24 with 18 gourds (3 each of 6 types).
At our "Rotary Pavilion" site:
We had 3 nests with green leaves that were not there a week prior. We have consistently seen 2-6 martins hanging around that T-14 with 4 gourds under it for about a week now. I hope to find eggs this wednesday.
At our "Beach 11" site:
We have a Tree Swallow nest in the house which will most likely prevent the establishment of a martin colony at that location. At this site we put a Trendsetter house with 4 gourds under it.
At both sites it appears that there is an excess of SY-Males. This excess of subbies is likely the result of last year's high fledging rate in this area. Not one of the birds observed at our new sites has bands.
If you are in the area, stop into the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and pick up a "martin map" brochure.
Patrick M. Kramer
York University
Formerly Research Assistant for PMCA - Please consider becoming a member of the PMCA.
York University
Formerly Research Assistant for PMCA - Please consider becoming a member of the PMCA.
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Donnie Hurdt MN
- Posts: 1723
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:14 pm
- Location: North Prairie, MN
Thanks for the reply Pat. Sorry it took so long to get back to you, I havent been on the forum for a few days.
That is wonderfull that you guys got martins right away I am very happy for you guys. Hopefully all will be well and next year there will be more martins coming back to nest.
As for me no luck again this year I did not see any adult martins visit my site shis year only three subbies stop in from time to time. Rather dissapointing, after spending so much time and effort last winter clearing away more trees and getting better housing. Well there is always next year.
A friend of mine who lives a few miles away from me got martins this year he started out with a ASY male. He has been trying for martins longer than I have, so there is hope for me.
That is wonderfull that you guys got martins right away I am very happy for you guys. Hopefully all will be well and next year there will be more martins coming back to nest.
As for me no luck again this year I did not see any adult martins visit my site shis year only three subbies stop in from time to time. Rather dissapointing, after spending so much time and effort last winter clearing away more trees and getting better housing. Well there is always next year.
A friend of mine who lives a few miles away from me got martins this year he started out with a ASY male. He has been trying for martins longer than I have, so there is hope for me.
PMCA member and Martin fanatic....
2011 A pair of subbies fledged three young but none returned in 2012
2015 One Pair of subbies came and stayed a few nits but got chased away by Bluebirds and Tree swallows.
2017 0ne pair of subbies nested and fledged 4 young
2018 Tree Swallows AGAIN chased away any martins that wanted to nest
2019 Same old story................
2011 A pair of subbies fledged three young but none returned in 2012
2015 One Pair of subbies came and stayed a few nits but got chased away by Bluebirds and Tree swallows.
2017 0ne pair of subbies nested and fledged 4 young
2018 Tree Swallows AGAIN chased away any martins that wanted to nest
2019 Same old story................