Numbers down.

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Mbigger
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Mar 26, 2026 9:14 am
Location: Belmont

I live in Belmont NC. I have 24 PMCA gourds mounted on poles adjacent to Lake Wylie. For the last 4-5 years, by this time in April I have about 20 martins. I now have only about 10. Is anyone else experiencing low numbers this year?
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paule
Posts: 135
Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2015 2:06 pm
Location: Central Iowa
Martin Colony History: 5 Modified Trios 10 Gourds and 1 B&B
2025 33 Pair 83 Fledged
2024 39 Pair 75 Fledged
2023 33 Pair 114 Fledged
2022 27 Pair 113 Fledged
2021 31 Pair 115 Fledged
2020 29 Pair 109 Fledged
2019 24 Pair 83 Fledged
2018 23 Pair 92 Fledged
2017 26 Pair 105 Fledged
2016 21 Pair 99 Fledged
2015 15 Pair 59 Fledged
2014 18 Pair 40 Fledged
2013 16 Pair 30 Fledged
2012 10 Pair 30 Fledged
Started in late 1980's

Previous years we would have martins anywhere between now and the month of March and would have many. Some years they would be socializing while snow would be everywhere. This year we have not seen one. We have cameras up and would see any stopping by. Starting to get concerned. Also, as we travel, no bugs have been seen smashed on our vehicles or anywhere. :???:
Paul
Project MartinWatch participants and supplemental feeding is provided. I also add heat to housing when needed.
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Dave Reynolds
Posts: 2441
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged

Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged

.. I live in the Southeastern corner of Ohio and we are having a late start of the season.. We have eight Martins at the moment but usually we would have around 20 or so by time of the year. So they may be running a little late this year or a lot of them didn't make the full round trip journey this year.. But give them time.. it's still early in the season.. :grin: :grin:

Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
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Conrad Baker
Posts: 754
Joined: Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:43 pm
Location: Paulina, Louisiana

I usually have about 16 nesting pair. This year I have 10. Nest check (and reapplying Sevin) last weekend revealed some eggs, but several empty compartments.
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jhcox
Posts: 801
Joined: Thu May 26, 2016 9:23 am
Location: tennesse
Martin Colony History: Started colony in 2014. 0 pairs
2015 0 pairs
2016 0 pairs
2017 0 pairs but visitors
2018 1 pair fledged 5
2019 10 pair
2020 25 pair
2021 42 Pair
2022 60 Pair
2023 72 Pair
2024 74 pair
2025 78 pair

I have 50 to 60 Adults as of now. But I've noticed that this time last year probably had closer to 100 in the start of April. Seems like they are slow coming in this year. And should be only a couple more weeks before the sub-adults start moving into the area. i hope it picks up soon.

JHCox
Heiskell TN, God bless
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Thomas Maddox
Posts: 580
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:23 pm
Location: Sulphur, Louisiana

Im in SWLA. I have about 25 PMs so far, which is the most ever I've had at this time of year. Also, tons of flying insects as always.
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killerv
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue Mar 03, 2020 9:40 am
Location: Central Ga

Pretty decent year this year for me, got about 30 birds hanging around. Started laying eggs this past week here in Central Ga. What I have noticed, not a single SY bird this year at my place.
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