Victor Stoll Colony Update

Guest · Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:14 pm

JULY IO 2007 VICTOR STOLL COLONY UPDATE
It has been a hard martin year as the starlings made a running attempt to take over some martin housing, But believe me they gave all of their craftiness and cunning ways to try and out do us…
But in the over all picture we had a great year.. The martin fest was a success although , the numbers were down from the attendance of over 500- people, that gathered hear in for the 2006 martinfest… This year the attendance was around 400 people…..

Some records we put together for the 2007 season. This year..)

There were 825 cavities available.. And 689 pair that succeesfully nested and raised their young..That leaves 136 cavities empty.. 83 percent filled..not all that great…, It was the week after martinfest that I finally got a good count ….The first 2 attempts at counting them I ended in frustration.

It was good to read the posts of having great years .. also problems we encountered
During the breeding season…I am completely in agreement that we take action and stay united to deal with them…. I wish each one a great year in 2008…May GOD Bless you …Victor Stoll

RC Moser · Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:30 pm

Glad to here a report on the Greatest PM landlord IMO. Glad to here from you Victor. Sorry to here it was a trying year also for you.

I too started out to be a record year for me over 40 pairs in my 46 hole colony. I too had a starling penetration, snake got one nest of eggs before I got him (luckily he didn't get the entire T-14), and sparrows ran off 3 SY's. Plus a couple of nests but the PMs vanished (probably caught by sharp-shined hawk). Then the rain came! By the buckets, 37" in about 4 months. This took a toll on hatchlings, Mites was a constant battle, and cool wet weather too a toll on amount of insects caught in a day IMO. All though there was an abundance of insects. Plus, the constant nightly down pours.

Down to the last 4 to fledge, should happen any day now and the season is over for me..... Again nice hearing your report, I always learn something when you report weather it's good news or gloom...

Don Ricketson · Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:38 pm

Victor your post always amazes me. How you can keep up with that many Martins and have a decent count at the end of the season is incredible. I only have twelve cavities (2 modified Trio Grammas and 4 Natureline gourds). I had 10 pair and fledged 53 hatchlings this year. The last ones fledged a couple days ago. That's about all I can handle. Keep up the good work and good luck next year. Don.