Slow and Steady Arrivals in Adamsville, TN

[Linda Reynolds]

Martin arrivals have been slow and steady this year at our place. We are currently hosting 10 martins - 7 ASY males and 3 ASY females.

Our first martin was heard at 11:30 a.m. last Sunday, Feb. 17th. This arrival was four days later than our first 2007 arrival, but not considered late by any stretch of the imagination.

He appeared healthy, vigorous and strong. After circling the yard a couple of times singing his sweet song, he entered a gourd, and appeared happy to be home. That night he was joined by another ASY male and they both greeted us early Monday morning.

Arrivals have been slow and steady since hearing and seeing our first. As of this morning, we are hosting 10 martins - 7 ASY males, and 3 ASY females. The females were the latest to arrive, and now the games begin.....

Two of the latest ASY male arrivals are showing slight signs of stress. We have been flinging crickets and offering scrambled eggs and crickets on the B&B just to reinforce the drill. All ten martins accepted flung crickets and eggs this morning. So far, only two males have used the B&B.

All cavities are now open so new arrivals will have their pick........Since Sunday night they have been returning about 5:00 p.m. and circling for a while before entering the gourds. Now that more are in residence, I suspect they will return more often during the day and earlier in the evening so they can protect *their* gourd. The arrivals of the girls might also contribute to their earlier evening arrival. We have two circling now, feeding high in the sky, but keeping an eye on *their* gourd.

In past years, arrival weather conditions have not been this mild. Some years our earliest arrivals have been greeted with snow, ice and wind. Then the arrivals seems to have stalled. This slow and steady arrival is a new experience for us and I hope Mother Nature continues to be kind....

[Scully]

I'm surprised to hear of so many arriving so soon up there.

We are about on schedule this year. First arrivals at the end of January, this evening I counted 30 martins (we expect 36-40 pairs). This date last year I counted 26, so we are about normal.

Wishing you a great season.

Mike Scully

[frankarendt]

Linda,read your news!!! hAVE TIN HOUSES UP BUT NO GOURDS YET..wILL WATCH WITH CARE...THANKS...FRANK

[Guest]

LINDA,
THATS GREAT HOPE THEY STAY SOUTH A LITTLE LONGER FOR IT SNOWED HERE IN DARDEN TN. LSAT NIGHT. THATS ABOUT HALF WAY BETWEEN LEXINGTON - AND PARSONS TN. BUT GOOD LUCK THIS YEAR AND PLEASE SEND ME ABOUT 35 TO 50 PAIR IN ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS!!

GOD BLESS
COTTON

[klcretired]

Great report Linda, except for the cold weather, my martins made it back as well starting monday 2/18/08, there were 3 to start with at 7:30 am then by noon 4 total, on tues morn i had 8 then the weather here got cold bad and rainy, it's sat the 23rd and i still have just 8 total. they are all in great shape and were feeding daily until this cold front came thru, i haven't had to feed yet but i am prepared to if necessary.

[Matt F.]

Great report Linda!

Congrats!!!!