I have been driving out to the public site we manage at Beaverfork Lake off and on all week this past week to see if the birds have arrived yet. I went out there this evening and there were 5 birds feeding over the rack we put up there 2 years ago. 3 males and 2 females. I was so excited to have them back. The place seems so quiet and desolate when they are gone. This site has been hosting purple martins for approximately 35-40 years according to the people I have talked to who set up the original houses.
We added a gemini rack with 32 THGs last Saturday (you should have seen my 12 year old son and I hoisting the rack onto the ground stake-didn't think we were going to get it put on there), so we now have 32 natural gourds and 32 THGs. We still have to put up an owl protector cage and predator guards on new rack. We don't plan on adding any more cavities to this site.
My colony at home was started last year (it was my 4th year trying) with 3 pair and 13 fledges, so I anticipate their arrival in mid to late March.
Hope everyone has a great year and good luck to those still trying to start their colonies.
Greg in Conway, Arkansas
Martins have arrived at Beaverfork Lake in Conway Arkansas
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Tim Mangan-Kansas
- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:25 am
- Location: Kansas, Pittsburg
- Martin Colony History: 2016 - 22 Pair
Greg:
That is great news on your arrivals at Beaverfork. You and Kent have done an excellent job in establishing that site. Hopefully you will see your martins at your house real soon. I hope I don't have to wait three or four years before I get a nesting pair at our new location.
Tim
That is great news on your arrivals at Beaverfork. You and Kent have done an excellent job in establishing that site. Hopefully you will see your martins at your house real soon. I hope I don't have to wait three or four years before I get a nesting pair at our new location.
Tim
Licensed Bander
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
Thanks Tim and Landonn.
Tim-I hope you don't have to wait 3-4 years either, especially after having such a successful colony at your old house. Did you leave any housing at all at the old house? I assume you took it down unless the new owners were into hosting martins.
Greg
Tim-I hope you don't have to wait 3-4 years either, especially after having such a successful colony at your old house. Did you leave any housing at all at the old house? I assume you took it down unless the new owners were into hosting martins.
Greg
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KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
Greg, great news! Congratulations! Did you put the Gemini rack up at the public site or your personal site?
I'm betting that your colony is going to get a few more pair this year!
Best wishes for a great year! 
I'm betting that your colony is going to get a few more pair this year!
Best wishes for a great year! "Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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Tim Mangan-Kansas
- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:25 am
- Location: Kansas, Pittsburg
- Martin Colony History: 2016 - 22 Pair
Greg:
No, the new owners did not want the martin pole left even though it is in an ideal location; right on the lake.
Tim
No, the new owners did not want the martin pole left even though it is in an ideal location; right on the lake.
Tim
Licensed Bander
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
Kathy,
We added the Gemini rack to the public site. Kent Justus and I put up a homemade gourd rack for the first rack in 2009. It is a beautiful gourd rack, but it was very time consuming to construct, along with preparing the natural gourds. We actually purchased the Gemini in 2010 and planned on putting it up in 2010 with natural gourds. We never had the time to assemble the rack and prep the gourds, so we were glad to be able to get it put up this year. We used THGs instead of naturals to save time both now and in the future.
My personal colony has a few trees around, so I don't know how big it will become. If I get 5-6 pair this year and 10-12 pair long term I will be elated.
Sounds like you are doing some great things for the martins in your area. Keep up the good work. I originally wanted to start a new public site each year here in my town, but have been too busy. My ultimate goal is for every nursing home/retirement home, elementary school, and community center (we have 2 in Conway) to have at least one housing unit for purple martins. There is also a ranch for foster kids and a ranch for men receiving rehab for addictions that I would like to start colonies. Putting this goal on the long term list, so if it is achieved in the next 10-20 years that will be success.
Greg
We added the Gemini rack to the public site. Kent Justus and I put up a homemade gourd rack for the first rack in 2009. It is a beautiful gourd rack, but it was very time consuming to construct, along with preparing the natural gourds. We actually purchased the Gemini in 2010 and planned on putting it up in 2010 with natural gourds. We never had the time to assemble the rack and prep the gourds, so we were glad to be able to get it put up this year. We used THGs instead of naturals to save time both now and in the future.
My personal colony has a few trees around, so I don't know how big it will become. If I get 5-6 pair this year and 10-12 pair long term I will be elated.
Sounds like you are doing some great things for the martins in your area. Keep up the good work. I originally wanted to start a new public site each year here in my town, but have been too busy. My ultimate goal is for every nursing home/retirement home, elementary school, and community center (we have 2 in Conway) to have at least one housing unit for purple martins. There is also a ranch for foster kids and a ranch for men receiving rehab for addictions that I would like to start colonies. Putting this goal on the long term list, so if it is achieved in the next 10-20 years that will be success.
Greg