Astrid
Who still has Purple Martins
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The Olsons
- Posts: 3200
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: North Padre Island, TX
As the "post martin depression" is reaching it's peak in the Olson family, I was wondering who is still so fortunate, blessed, and happy because they still have Purple Martins at their colony. This includes visiting martins as well as late nesters. Our last 2 nests fledged on July 16th and only came back for a few days to stay overnight. Last year we had the last babies fledge on August 11th.
Astrid
Astrid
Love it or leave it~~~Astrid :-)
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Carlton
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 6:42 pm
- Location: Florida/Deerfield Beach
- Martin Colony History: I moved to South Florida, from Delaware, in August of 2015.
I care for a 6 condo Sunset House as well as two Deluxe Gourd Racks, with 24 Chirpynest/Excluder gourds, along a canal in Pompano Beach, Florida.
At Quiet Waters Park, nearby in Deerfield Beach, I care for a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 TVG's. I also care for a Deluxe Gourd rack with 12 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder entrances. I am substituting 6 Chirpynest boxes for 6 of the Conley II entranced gourds in 2026.
At another local park, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, I care for a Trendsetter 12, 5 gourds rack with 60 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder Entrances and 1 Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 Troyer Vertical Gourds with Starling Stoppers over the Conley II's to keep out smaller starlings.
I saw a lone, ASY, calling and circling today but he did not land. Have not seen any others today though.
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The Olsons
- Posts: 3200
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: North Padre Island, TX
Carlton, Thank you for your reply...I just know how you feel. You had a great season though and I wish you the best for next year 
Astrid
Astrid
Love it or leave it~~~Astrid :-)
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Guest
Hey astrid,
I have my 9 pairs still plus the 36 fledglings.... looks like they are gonna stay!!!!
Just kidding.... It is way too quiet here in Katy!!!!They have been gone several weeks now, with only a few visitors until last week! I hope to make it to the roost one last time before they fly south!
I hope you are well and I will chat w/ ya soon!
Take care and boy do I miss my birds!!!!!
I am ordering a few decoys so the houses won't look so depessing!
Adiekaty
I have my 9 pairs still plus the 36 fledglings.... looks like they are gonna stay!!!!
Just kidding.... It is way too quiet here in Katy!!!!They have been gone several weeks now, with only a few visitors until last week! I hope to make it to the roost one last time before they fly south!
I hope you are well and I will chat w/ ya soon!
Take care and boy do I miss my birds!!!!!
I am ordering a few decoys so the houses won't look so depessing!
Adiekaty
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John Barrow
- Posts: 982
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 4:12 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi / Sandia , Texas
Hi Astrid,
Our last nestling returned last night. It's been a good year from end of Jan until mid-Aug. This fellow was the runt out of gourd 37--a suspected second brood of this season--one of two that succeeded in Corpus Christi, (one laid eggs and incubated, but the clutch failed),and we had our first in Port O'Connor. The little guy was 3 or 4 days behind his siblings, but was pampered by his ASY parents who did a great job of raising this second batch. He came home alone to his natal gourd last night and we worried about him. He did not this evening, but we have seen a couple of moderate sized groups of matins migrating over this area. I suspect he is with such a group, a day or two behind his 4 siblings and parents, but he has had a long time to train with the family group, and I am hopeful we will see him again.
We are off to PA for the PMCA conference, and I am hopeful we will find some large migratory roosts when we return. We should see some martins as late as mid Oct. jb
Our last nestling returned last night. It's been a good year from end of Jan until mid-Aug. This fellow was the runt out of gourd 37--a suspected second brood of this season--one of two that succeeded in Corpus Christi, (one laid eggs and incubated, but the clutch failed),and we had our first in Port O'Connor. The little guy was 3 or 4 days behind his siblings, but was pampered by his ASY parents who did a great job of raising this second batch. He came home alone to his natal gourd last night and we worried about him. He did not this evening, but we have seen a couple of moderate sized groups of matins migrating over this area. I suspect he is with such a group, a day or two behind his 4 siblings and parents, but he has had a long time to train with the family group, and I am hopeful we will see him again.
We are off to PA for the PMCA conference, and I am hopeful we will find some large migratory roosts when we return. We should see some martins as late as mid Oct. jb
~~TEAMED WITH A MARTIN GODDESS~~
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
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Guest
About 9 or 10 flew low over their apartment today but did not stop--I had lowered it some. Maybe that was why the male was fussing. They looked like mine. I had 9 to visit early last week. They sat on the electrical wires and flew down to the apartment a few times. I was able to identify the older pair whose baby I rehabed and the other pair, a SY male I think belongs to the older pair's first year here and his mate at that visit. I think my rehab baby was one of the fledglings.
They did that the week before last week also; I was so thrilled as I had not seen them all together in several weeks. I would see martins feeding high over head but was not here when they came to visit as a family group. I did hear them on surveillance tapes I had running a few times; one of those times they talked and sang quietly for 20 minutes.
Since I have had martins only 3 years and began with one pair, I think most of these are their descendants and planned to write my observations here. However, I don't know how the male with the white spot who lost his mate and babies due to the pesticide harassment fits in as he appears as old as my original pair. He has not been back with the group above either but did come with a new female showing her in and out of the different compartments after all were gone.
They did that the week before last week also; I was so thrilled as I had not seen them all together in several weeks. I would see martins feeding high over head but was not here when they came to visit as a family group. I did hear them on surveillance tapes I had running a few times; one of those times they talked and sang quietly for 20 minutes.
Since I have had martins only 3 years and began with one pair, I think most of these are their descendants and planned to write my observations here. However, I don't know how the male with the white spot who lost his mate and babies due to the pesticide harassment fits in as he appears as old as my original pair. He has not been back with the group above either but did come with a new female showing her in and out of the different compartments after all were gone.
Hi Astrid,
All's quiet on the homefront
I hear the occasional Mockingbird call of the Martin but I haven't seen any Martins in days. I (
) fledged 218 birds this year! I can't wait to go up to Erie and hear all those Martins at the Presque Island Roost! Are you going to the Conference? I realize it is quite far for you but it would be wonderful to meet you! 
All's quiet on the homefront
I hear the occasional Mockingbird call of the Martin but I haven't seen any Martins in days. I (
) fledged 218 birds this year! I can't wait to go up to Erie and hear all those Martins at the Presque Island Roost! Are you going to the Conference? I realize it is quite far for you but it would be wonderful to meet you! Fledge on!
Nanette
Nanette
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Bob Buskas
- Posts: 600
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2003 8:08 pm
- Location: Wetaskiwin Alberta, Canada
Astrid, I still have about 40 returning at night, but not for long I'm sure. 
Bob Buskas, Alberta, Canada (The Northern Sky's Colony) Supplimental feeding is the key during bad weather, but you must train them to feed ahead of time.
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The Olsons
- Posts: 3200
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: North Padre Island, TX
Hi Adrienne,
You got me there for a moment with still having all these martins...lol
I know the quietness is no fun....I have three decoys up, but am also going to get some more hoping it will "desensitize" the soon to return Sharpie....
Hopefully, you will make it to the roost one more time and say the final "good by" until next year. The tropics are starting to show some activity so I sure hope the martins will leave the roosts sooner than later and not get caught in some of these developing storms.
Talk to you soon and have a great week.
Astrid
You got me there for a moment with still having all these martins...lol
I know the quietness is no fun....I have three decoys up, but am also going to get some more hoping it will "desensitize" the soon to return Sharpie....
Hopefully, you will make it to the roost one more time and say the final "good by" until next year. The tropics are starting to show some activity so I sure hope the martins will leave the roosts sooner than later and not get caught in some of these developing storms.
Talk to you soon and have a great week.
Astrid
Love it or leave it~~~Astrid :-)
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The Olsons
- Posts: 3200
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: North Padre Island, TX
Hi John,
You had a great season this year again....I am happy to hear that the little runt was pampered and all went well. I know that the martins are very committed to their young, but when we had late nesters last year and the year before, I was all anxious hoping they would not abandon the babies. They did not, and were very dedicated. I am a little surprised that we did not have any late nesters this year and the martins left earlier than the past two years...I hope they still like me
I want to take this post also as an opportunity to thank you and Louise both for making it possible to start a colony and for all your help and encouragement along the way. We would not have that many martins (29 pair this year), if any, if it was not for you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts
Have a safe trip and enjoy the company of fellow martin friends.
Astrid
You had a great season this year again....I am happy to hear that the little runt was pampered and all went well. I know that the martins are very committed to their young, but when we had late nesters last year and the year before, I was all anxious hoping they would not abandon the babies. They did not, and were very dedicated. I am a little surprised that we did not have any late nesters this year and the martins left earlier than the past two years...I hope they still like me
I want to take this post also as an opportunity to thank you and Louise both for making it possible to start a colony and for all your help and encouragement along the way. We would not have that many martins (29 pair this year), if any, if it was not for you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts
Have a safe trip and enjoy the company of fellow martin friends.
Astrid
Love it or leave it~~~Astrid :-)
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The Olsons
- Posts: 3200
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: North Padre Island, TX
Ann,
I am sorry to hear about all the problems that your neighbor is causing and hope this gets resolved soon.
It is nice that your martins keep coming back for such a long period of time, to give you at least some short visits. I am glad to hear that your rehab baby seems to be fine and part of the group. Did you have a chance to visit the roost southwest of the Mississippi? I have seen pictures of roosts only this year, but they are amazing and I can feel the excitement of the martins. It must be absolutely stunning to see this in person. Best wishes.
Astrid
I am sorry to hear about all the problems that your neighbor is causing and hope this gets resolved soon.
It is nice that your martins keep coming back for such a long period of time, to give you at least some short visits. I am glad to hear that your rehab baby seems to be fine and part of the group. Did you have a chance to visit the roost southwest of the Mississippi? I have seen pictures of roosts only this year, but they are amazing and I can feel the excitement of the martins. It must be absolutely stunning to see this in person. Best wishes.
Astrid
Love it or leave it~~~Astrid :-)
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The Olsons
- Posts: 3200
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: North Padre Island, TX
Hello Nanette,
Wow, 218 babies...that is great. I am happy to hear that you had such a great and successful season. I love your set up and your site
The Mockingbird can sure fool one when he pretends he is a martin. Before the martins returned this year, our Mocky was singing up a storm with the martin song. I would run to the window thinking the martins were back, but there he was....I am sure he enjoyed "fooling" me....
I would love to go to the conference in Erie, but unfortunately, I am not able to. I saw the program and it looks interesting and like a lot of fun. I also would have loved to meet you. Maybe at some other martin fest or meeting.... Enjoy the trip and all the martins at the Presque Island Roost.
Astrid
Wow, 218 babies...that is great. I am happy to hear that you had such a great and successful season. I love your set up and your site
The Mockingbird can sure fool one when he pretends he is a martin. Before the martins returned this year, our Mocky was singing up a storm with the martin song. I would run to the window thinking the martins were back, but there he was....I am sure he enjoyed "fooling" me....
I would love to go to the conference in Erie, but unfortunately, I am not able to. I saw the program and it looks interesting and like a lot of fun. I also would have loved to meet you. Maybe at some other martin fest or meeting....
Enjoy the trip and all the martins at the Presque Island Roost.Astrid
Love it or leave it~~~Astrid :-)
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The Olsons
- Posts: 3200
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: North Padre Island, TX
Hi Bob,
That is great that you have that many martins still return for the night; they probably enjoy the great housing, especially the Buskas Bungalow Hope you can enjoy them for a few more days before they leave.
Astrid
That is great that you have that many martins still return for the night; they probably enjoy the great housing, especially the Buskas Bungalow
Hope you can enjoy them for a few more days before they leave.Astrid
Love it or leave it~~~Astrid :-)
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Guest
I have seen a few around hunting during the day but have not had any roosting that i know of in about a wewek now.
dick
dick
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phillip26r
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:52 pm
- Location: Tennessee/Lexington
Our PMs fledged the week of July 9. We don't know the exact date, because we were on vacation. Several passers-by the week of July 16, fewer the week of July 23.
I saw or heard an occasional bird the week of the 30th, but all are gone now it seems.
Being a first year landlord I had no idea what a sad time....
Lots to look forward to next year though. My son and I are going to build a T-14 this winter and we have to find a place to relocate our existing housing. Hopefully we'll have birds earlier next year. We had one SY pair this year and they started nesting May 3. Can I hope the then ASY pair will show up in March?
I saw or heard an occasional bird the week of the 30th, but all are gone now it seems.
Being a first year landlord I had no idea what a sad time....
Lots to look forward to next year though. My son and I are going to build a T-14 this winter and we have to find a place to relocate our existing housing. Hopefully we'll have birds earlier next year. We had one SY pair this year and they started nesting May 3. Can I hope the then ASY pair will show up in March?
Astrid,
I wasn't fortunate enough to host PMs this year, but I did have regular visitors who used my airspace as their hunting ground ... lots and lots of dragon flies this year.
I hadn't seen or heard any PMs for about a week until yesterday afternoon. I saw a lone subbie fly over my neighbor's windmill. He didn't circle and flew off toward the east. I think the majority of them have moved out. It sure is quiet without them around! I'm still seeing barn swallows and chimney swifts, but the swifts are definitely down in numbers compared to a week ago. I seem to have the same amount of barnies that I've had throughout the year, but I expect that to change any day now.
All in all, it's much quieter with all the birds with the exception of the little goldfinches. I'm seeing record numbers of them at my feeders and also in my perennial beds. They have such sweet little voices ... I'm really enjoying watching them.
I also have two bluebird pairs who must be going for some record for late nestings this year. One pair has three babies that should fledge this weekend. The other pair is currently incubating four eggs that should hatch mid next week. All this in the middle of 100+ temperatures!
I understand the empty nest syndrome you're experiencing even though I've never hosted PMs ... you really miss all the activity and chatter from all the birds, regardless of breed, this time of year.
I wasn't fortunate enough to host PMs this year, but I did have regular visitors who used my airspace as their hunting ground ... lots and lots of dragon flies this year.
I hadn't seen or heard any PMs for about a week until yesterday afternoon. I saw a lone subbie fly over my neighbor's windmill. He didn't circle and flew off toward the east. I think the majority of them have moved out. It sure is quiet without them around! I'm still seeing barn swallows and chimney swifts, but the swifts are definitely down in numbers compared to a week ago. I seem to have the same amount of barnies that I've had throughout the year, but I expect that to change any day now.
All in all, it's much quieter with all the birds with the exception of the little goldfinches. I'm seeing record numbers of them at my feeders and also in my perennial beds. They have such sweet little voices ... I'm really enjoying watching them.
I also have two bluebird pairs who must be going for some record for late nestings this year. One pair has three babies that should fledge this weekend. The other pair is currently incubating four eggs that should hatch mid next week. All this in the middle of 100+ temperatures!
I understand the empty nest syndrome you're experiencing even though I've never hosted PMs ... you really miss all the activity and chatter from all the birds, regardless of breed, this time of year.
Candace
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Craig Haddox
- Posts: 444
- Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:13 pm
- Location: Missouri Washington
Astrid, I saw 10 to 15 martins fly over the houses a couple of day's ago. That's the most martins I've seen since my colony left in late July. The back yard is very quiet.
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The Olsons
- Posts: 3200
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: North Padre Island, TX
Dick,
How are you dealing with the martins being gone? Do you keep busy preparing for next season or are you taking a break from all the work and excitement. Maybe a little vacation......in Brazil
Astrid
How are you dealing with the martins being gone? Do you keep busy preparing for next season or are you taking a break from all the work and excitement.
Maybe a little vacation......in Brazil Astrid
Love it or leave it~~~Astrid :-)
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The Olsons
- Posts: 3200
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: North Padre Island, TX
Candace,
I am sure with all the visitors using your airspace as hunting ground you were also "checked out", and remembered at next season's return I like the little goldfinches very much myself and still having bluebirds in your yard probably helps a little with all the other birds gone. Since the martins have left it is very, very quiet here....not even sparrows or seagulls. It seems like the martins attract the gulls and the sparrows, and when they head back South the other two species disappear as well. Fortunately, our Osprey will be back for good in another two to three weeks. He has checked out his sleeping place already about a week ago (Purple Martin Roosting Arm), and made sure everything is still intact. He will stay until the martins return next year and even then they tolerate him until they start building nests. That's when he gets chased off for a few months. He will stop by once in a while to say hello. So him coming back will put some life back into the yard and get us through the martin less time....
Enjoy your goldfinches and best wishes for the late bluebird nesters.
Astrid
I am sure with all the visitors using your airspace as hunting ground you were also "checked out", and remembered at next season's return
I like the little goldfinches very much myself and still having bluebirds in your yard probably helps a little with all the other birds gone. Since the martins have left it is very, very quiet here....not even sparrows or seagulls. It seems like the martins attract the gulls and the sparrows, and when they head back South the other two species disappear as well. Fortunately, our Osprey will be back for good in another two to three weeks. He has checked out his sleeping place already about a week ago (Purple Martin Roosting Arm), and made sure everything is still intact. He will stay until the martins return next year and even then they tolerate him until they start building nests. That's when he gets chased off for a few months. He will stop by once in a while to say hello. So him coming back will put some life back into the yard and get us through the martin less time.... Enjoy your goldfinches and best wishes for the late bluebird nesters.
Astrid
Love it or leave it~~~Astrid :-)