Who would have thought that on a cold and windy day, with the temps in the mid 50's, that the Subbies (SY) would show up. They did not even sing, to let me know they were here. They are so beautiful.
Looks like one male (SY) and two females (SY). I m in Heaven now. They stayed about 15 minutes and then off to feed. Hope they will be back before long. The Male sang a little before he left. The season has just now started for me.. I wish you all good luck this year..
I am south of Marietta, by about 25 miles. I am two mile from the Ohio River.. Washington county. Yes I do play the Dawn Song.. I think it help the Martins find me.
I'll give you a call in the morning, 9 or 10 am. Hope you will be home and not working.. I'll be on the deck with the Dawn Song playing, and a cup of hot Coffee. How is you Mom's colony doing? My neighbor is up to about 30 to 35 birds now.
I hope they make it my way soon. I have never had them until second week may. I have been gaining a bird a day. I am up to 10 asy birds. That is what I expected back this year. hard to believe with this weather. I hope yours come back. And wish you the best of luck this year.
It won't be long before the subbies arrive. I saw a report form the Cincinate area, that is straight across the state from me, so you should see some soon. You are only a two hour drive from me. Give us a shout when you see some subbies.
I will let you know dave. This last week I have gained a asy bird a day. I have counted 12 that I'm sure of. Maybe 14. Its hard the way they fly off and gourd hop. Not sure if I'm re counting same birds.lol) can't believe its time for subbies! I hope to do very good this year. Best the luck to everyone else also.
Had another Subbie stop by again this evening at 6:30 p.m. He landed on the T-14 and looked around, then he tried to get into my outdoor speaker, while it was playing the Dawn Song. Then he went back to the T-14 and looked in some rooms again. He only stayed about 15 minutes. (He was a keeper)
I also had a pair of Tree Swallows, stop by and check out the only gourd that I had open. I lowered the house and closed the gourd..
I sure hope he (the Subbie) come back tomorrow, I'll be waiting.
Keep us posted, best of luck to you, we all have our fingers crossed!!
I'm not certain what is going on (and I ain't complaining!) but I am up to 14 birds with 9 ASY males and 5 females and no signs of subbies as of yet!
Apparently I picked up someone elses birds this year, or birds who failed last year because I should have had only a maximum of 8 return!
I actually had to open more housing today since some of my males are holding on to double cavities, and I wanted the subbies to have just a little resistance, and not a fight for your life welcome!
JohnM
2013 - 37 pair-179 eggs,142 hatched,139 fledged
2012 - 32 pair-163 eggs,141 hatched,134 fledged
2011 - 19 pairs - 78 fledged successfully!
2010 3 pairs - 9 eggs - 8 fledged!
2009 - 1 Sub Adult Male (only) - LOTS visitors
2008 - 58 Visitors by year end
2007 - 13 Visitors by year end
That's great news! Let us know if he comes back. I'm so puzzled how every year you have had visitors but nobody stays? I would think this should be your year! You must have something going on they like to always come and stay. Wonder why a pair built a nest and that was it? Maybe a hawk? Any how I really hope you get your pair this year. It takes that one sy pair and you will be on your way. Its been a slow start for me. I always think this will be the year it will blow up for me. But it don't. And I have martins but only gain a few each year. And I always hear other people go from 4 pair to 20. Iv heard a lot of reports of flocks of sy birds. I hope they head the ohio way and find are places. Best of luck to you!
They say what goes on in Vagus stays in Vagus. Sounds like your young males went on vacation over the winter and brought home many new friends. I'll send you a private message, later, because I am going back to Columbus in a few days, and if the weather is nice, I'll drop by, if you don't mind.
Chickadee -- Thanks for the well wishes.. I also think this will be my year. I'm not having to fight the Starling so much this year, I think they know they can't get in the SERH, so they are staying away. Sparrows are my only concern at the moment. But I'm working that too.
If I can get one or two to spend the night, I'll give ya both a shout..
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