Fledge Day

[Al Denton]

My birds are now fledging...Two down, two to go. After 8 years of waiting it's finally starting to happen. Looks like the final numbers are one pair, four fledgies, and a nutty SY male Over the last week I'm getting tons of visitors from nearby sites, and today even had five barnies over for a look(never seen any here before) It feels just terrific Al

[Steve Kroenke]

Al,

I have read your posts over the years and always wished you would finally get a colony started. Well, it happened this year! That one pair, one single SY male and all those visitors tell me that next season is even going to be better for you. Many fine martin colonies have been started with just one pair of martins.

Most of my martins have fledged, too, though I will have some late birds in July.

Again, thanks for sharing the good news with us on the Forum.

Steve

[Tallsilver]

Congrats Al,

I should have 4 fledging in the next couple of days. That will leave 2 to fledge in about 10 more days. And I have many visitors.........raisn' a ruckus! :-)

Hope to have lots more next year, both of us!

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Al, that is great news. Moving the house to the front yard seemed to get them to use it..I am happy for you...

[floridasunshinegoddess]

Al, I'm very happy for you. I guess we'll never know if it was the Magic Nesting Material or bringing your setup to the front yard but doesn't matter. You FINALLY got your Martins!!!! And there will be more next year as well! CONGRATULATIONS to you!

[Al Denton]

Thanks Steve, Aaron, Emil, and Barb. I suppose the move to the front yard was the key this year. Barb's nest material didn't hurt a thing though Aaron, looks like we're off to the races. Al

[Donnie Hurdt MN]

I also am happy fopr you Al it is nice to see one more name knocked off the wannabe list. I hope they all come back next year and tell others what a nice place you have to raise young.
As for me, I am still on that wannabe list.

[Al Denton]

Thanks very much dhurdt. I'll never forget what it's like to be waiting and hoping. I'll be pulling for you and some of the others. I'll be waiting and hoping mine come back next spring. Al

[Guest]

Congratulations, Al! I had the same situation as you last year. One pair. But this year has been hopping. So look out for next year!

Sheila

[Matt F.]

That's great news Al! I'll bet your excited!

[Sue]

Al, that is just terrific. Now, you will be looking forward even more to next year. I'll tell you, though, the months between the birds leaving and then returning are sure long.

[Fred Kaluza~MI]

Way to go Al! Perhaps the visitors, seeing success at your place have now mentally "cleared" your place for future use. It's probably on the "OK" list for Martin habitation. I really looking forward to seeing how many NEW birds you pick up next season.

[Al Denton]

Thanks Sheila, Matt, Sue and Fred. The last two still won't go Looks like any minute though. One thing I have learned is that martins really know how to attract other martins. I've had a group of about 15 regulars here now for three days, including three more ASY males. You might be right Fred...My place might be getting "the stamp of approval" It could get interesting next year. Al

[Al Denton]

Dang! Last two still not fledged. This is worse than waiting for my tomatoes to get ripe. Two runts I guess They've looked to be at the brink of jumping for days now. Parents must be exhausted

[floridasunshinegoddess]

That's funny, Al. Of course, the longer they wait, the better for them.

I'm real excited about all your visitors. Next year will be out of sight!

[Al Denton]

Well Barb, I guess I should'nt expect everything to go perfect this year They'll fledge when they get ready.

Next year things should take off I hope. I'm getting a setup ready now for next year that I'll slide in the old socket when they leave. I'm getting a new hip in Sept. so all I want to do come spring is mount two Coates and hang 8 gourds. Recoupe time hopefully won't be too bad, so just in case the hard part is out of the way.

Congratulations on your success at the new location. Al

[Dale Hrncirik]

Al,

That is so great to hear ! Congrats and hoping you have a larger colony next year. I really like to hear these success stories from those that stuck it out after many years of trying . Best of luck to you next year,

Dale

[Al Denton]

I really appreciate that Dale. To be honest with you before the season I had decided that if I came up empty this year I would take a step back and reassess attracting martins here. I had even considered moving to another location if martins were really that important. I'm glad I did'nt have such tough decisions to make thanks to a very, very persistant ASY male. I'm glad neither of us gave up. I think all this will really hit home to me next spring if they make it back safe. Al

[Mary Wilson-SW Ont]

Al, I'm so happy that you got martins this year and experienced the joy of seeing them fledge successfully. You're "established" now ! I've been reading your posts but due to a computer glitch I haven't been able to post for a while.

Good luck with your hip surgery ... my father-in-law had it done, and my sister also, and both recovered very quickly, and what a marvellous difference it made in the quality of day-to-day life for both of them.

[parkerdes]

What is the "magic" nesting material used?
I had 1 ASY pair after trying 3 years that built their nest in the compartment that I put fake eggs in. They laid 5 eggs & 5 fledged this week. 2 were in their nest this morning at 8am & then took off. Saw at least 2-4 ASY males & 4-6 HY's visiting this evening. Am hoping I will have abundance next year, too! Great to hear that 1 successful pair can start a colony!! Congrats to you & best of luck next year!!! & Thanks to all the expert info that is so helpful to all of us newbies!!!