Well after many years of just hoping I finally got my Martins this year. I certainly wasn't disapointed and it was well worth the 28 year wait. It took one persistant young male and a successful year of travel for him to make it happen. I then watched him turn into an alpha male during this past season. There is not a bird of any species in this territory that doesn't respect him. He is the king of Fombell PA skies.
I continue to get many visitors and the young have fledged and are still coming in at night. Several other Martins are bonded to my site as well.
At the Lakesite over the hill from me that I also established, the first pair ever there is still feeding young. Today there were 20 or so Martins there. They covered the modified trio castle at times and their song and flight fills the airspace above the lake. It is a real sight to see because it has been void of Martins for the past 10 years. My past plans and efforts have finally come true. 2 new Martin colonies are being born.
I would guess that next year the Castle at the lake will be full. I am hoping I too will have a growing colony.
I sure will look forward to next spring. What a blessing.
Season winding down. Next year looks promising.
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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Scott D.- La
- Posts: 823
- Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:35 am
- Location: Louisiana
RD,
Glad to read some good news from up North. Hopefully, next year you will grow both colonies.
Glad to read some good news from up North. Hopefully, next year you will grow both colonies.
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Trishy
- Posts: 451
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:25 am
- Location: Wisconsin/Shell Lake
- Martin Colony History: Colony started in 2009 with 2 pair.
Currently I have 3 gourd racks with 24 gourds. One gourd rack will be for sy arrivals only.
Bo Eleven gourds 20
Congratulations Rd. This is my first year also after waiting 10 years. It has indeed been very exciting. I also have had many repeat visitors the last 2 weeks and they have recently been fighting over the few gourds I have up. I will add to them next year and see who comes back. It is definitely a good feeling isn't it 
Trish
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Bill & Kelley Shields
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:31 am
- Location: Pleasant Hope, MO
Wow RD..... just WOW!!!
I am incredibly impressed at your sticktoitivness... I mean wouldn't most sane people after say, 25 years of trying unsuccessfully to attract martins just give up? Not you! Wow... How rewarding it must be for you to see all of your hard work pay off. Big ups and congratulations on this year and your bright "landlord" future!
Bill
I am incredibly impressed at your sticktoitivness... I mean wouldn't most sane people after say, 25 years of trying unsuccessfully to attract martins just give up? Not you! Wow... How rewarding it must be for you to see all of your hard work pay off. Big ups and congratulations on this year and your bright "landlord" future!
Bill
Is this fun or what?!!
PMCA Member
PMCA Member
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
There could be many meanings to the word "sane". Coundn't there? I wonder if I would pass a sanity test. My lovely wife may not think so. Certainly not a Martin Sanity Test! Talk about having patience............
Top question - Why do you keep buying all this Martin stuff, spending all this time, money and cutting down trees? Shouldn't you wait till you actually get Martins?
Answer- I'll never get them unless I do.
Number 2 question (when outside) Did you hear what I said?
Answer - Was that a Martin? (with focus to sky) Huh?
I appreciate your kind words and am happy for all the others that have new colonies started. For those still trying this is evidence that anything is possible. Don't give up your dream of attracting Martins.
Doug
Top question - Why do you keep buying all this Martin stuff, spending all this time, money and cutting down trees? Shouldn't you wait till you actually get Martins?
Answer- I'll never get them unless I do.
Number 2 question (when outside) Did you hear what I said?
Answer - Was that a Martin? (with focus to sky) Huh?
I appreciate your kind words and am happy for all the others that have new colonies started. For those still trying this is evidence that anything is possible. Don't give up your dream of attracting Martins.
Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.