I SAW A GIRL!!!

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
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DebA
Posts: 1941
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
Location: Pratt County/Kansas
Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.

:lol:

Good thing I filled out my arbor day survey so I can get 10 free trees...I was headed to the mailbox and very high up...there she was! Soaring high and beautiful. I threw off my cap to show my blonde hair and threw up my arms with a hello! I dropped one of my houses to fix the decoy that is hanging upside down...didn't think that looked too inviting. Lost her for awhile then she came back and got much closer.

Please stay, please be one of mine! I will do anything for you! I have crickets, eggs (I will even use the farm fresh ones for you), handwarmers. A nice new house with cedar shavings and gourds too! I will twist sparrow heads or slam them into a post. I will do anything to make your life here good. I have egg shells ready for later. I will shoot all the starlings (I can hit those) after you are settled in and not spooky. I have netting to add to my stove pipe.

Please please stay!

Well...I gotta clean house.....not!!! Back outside I go!

Deb
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
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JL Murray

LOL Right on i hope she stays and flirts you up some males.... :lol: :lol: :lol:
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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

Deb:

I hope she is one of yours. Spring cleaning takes on a whole new meaning for Martin landlords; clean house in early spring before the martins arrive and don't touch it again until after the martins leave.

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
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Bronek
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2013 4:12 pm
Location: GA, Guyton

DebA wrote::lol:

Good thing I filled out my arbor day survey so I can get 10 free trees...I was headed to the mailbox and very high up...there she was! Soaring high and beautiful. I threw off my cap to show my blonde hair and threw up my arms with a hello! I dropped one of my houses to fix the decoy that is hanging upside down...didn't think that looked too inviting. Lost her for awhile then she came back and got much closer.

Please stay, please be one of mine! I will do anything for you! I have crickets, eggs (I will even use the farm fresh ones for you), handwarmers. A nice new house with cedar shavings and gourds too! I will twist sparrow heads or slam them into a post. I will do anything to make your life here good. I have egg shells ready for later. I will shoot all the starlings (I can hit those) after you are settled in and not spooky. I have netting to add to my stove pipe.

Please please stay!

Well...I gotta clean house.....not!!! Back outside I go!

Deb
How can one refuse this. To bad I'm not a PM :grin: :wink: :wink:
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James Strickland FL
Posts: 2249
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:04 pm
Location: Reidsville NC
Martin Colony History: 2017 Had a lot visitors no Matins nesting, hoping 2018 will be different.
2018 Had 1 pair
2019 had 30 pair

I am sure she is yours.
PMCA MEMBER
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Ed Pace
Posts: 680
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 3:31 pm
Location: NY/Jamestown

Deb,, With that kind of asking , what martin could resist :P .
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DebA
Posts: 1941
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
Location: Pratt County/Kansas
Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.

After several trips outside...I saw two females...and just now one ASY male plus the two females preening on the power lines!!

They ARE mine. I walked and talked the whole way and they were fine with me standing 20' out from under the power line. Then when they did lift off they just soared down closer above my head while I stood between the two houses.

I don't think I am any happier than they are! They seem thrilled to have a warm day and plenty of bugs flying around, and to be HOME!

Oh and Tim if only I didn't have to touch the house work until August. Just keep buying more socks and underwear, right?

Deb
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
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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

Deb:

Just go with shoes and outerwear. Forget the socks and underwear.

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
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birdy girl
Posts: 1179
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:09 am
Location: Mississippi/Dumas

Yeah Deb!! Glad they are back. Now enjoy, enjoy. It is so exciting when they return home to us year after year.
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tonyg
Posts: 1520
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
Location: Olpe, KS
Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..

Congrats Deb!! Keep us posted!!
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
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DakotaLady
Posts: 654
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
Location: Bismarck, ND

Your post made me giggle. I completely understand the excitement and the enthusiastic begging for the birds to be your crew. I'm so glad they are back for you. Enjoy. I can't wait for mine to show up. I am ready as well.
~Tangula~

2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
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DebA
Posts: 1941
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
Location: Pratt County/Kansas
Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.

Well they AREN'T mine. Well...maybe. The two girls came in and chose separate house compartments last night. Two to three wiggles each and they were in. I didn't see the male. What is wrong with him?! I bet he will be back.

I had been playing dawn song because even with six pairs last year I changed housing and thought it might help. I won't now. Who can beat two flirty girls?

There was no need to supplement feed yesterday as bugs were plenty and they looked strong. However, next Monday is cold, windy, rain, snow with the 20's overnight for two nights. But the highs go 43 then 46 on Tuesday. Not sure if I should work with them now...or just wait and go for it then.

Yesterday morning, BEFORE they came, I was showing Mark, Kathy's pics of her feeding board. Mark smiled and said he created a monster. He threw up the original house five years ago. Lucky for him our daughter spent the night last night AND made dinner. :)

Oh...I swear even my three horses and eight goats stood there and watched the martins!

Well time to see what I get done today...

Deb
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
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PM Pataskala
Posts: 36
Joined: Thu Mar 21, 2013 1:37 pm
Location: Ohio/Pataskala

UR excited to the point of such ecstasy with the return of your martins that I, being a 1uhB landlord, am wondering if I should make an appointment with a doctor to get some tranquilizers just in case I get a pair (or more) this year. I might go completely bonkers and be institutionalized and my investment would be wasted. Does anyone know a Dr. who would take me on as a patient with wannamartinosis??

Dick Robinson
Dick Robinson
2016 - Dagnabbit - Still a lonely wannabe landlord. :-(
2015 - Still no martins
2014 - No luck yet... Not seeing many martins in the area.
2013 - First year trying. I've done everything to attract PM's except giving them free airfare to get here. Maybe I'll do that too !!!

PMCA Member
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Jeff Robinson
Posts: 908
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 3:32 pm
Location: Rogersville, Missouri
Martin Colony History: 2008 - Current
72 Cavities - 70 Pairs in 2021
PM Mentor

ROTFLOL!!! :lol: Congrats either way Deb!

Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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DebA
Posts: 1941
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
Location: Pratt County/Kansas
Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.

Thank goodness my daughter is still here to help me figure out your abbreviations! 1uhB took us a sec. Wannabee....clever. Maybe it is just me this Kansas girl in the sticks. :roll:

Jeff...I got the LOL part Abby filled in the rest! Gotcha.

I haven't seen my girls today but I had to go into town. I might go with outerwear only but I had to get my hair cut. One wants to look your best as they come home, afterall. :)

Deb

My husband came home for a second and called and asked if I shot a Kestrel. I did not! One is dead by our little shed I guess. Not me I swear.
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
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cchild03
Posts: 412
Joined: Sun May 28, 2006 12:03 pm
Location: Kansas/Leavenworth

Deb,

Mine showed up today--two boys and a girl. Maybe they were traveling with your group. :) Best of luck to you this season! :lol:
Candace
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DebA
Posts: 1941
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
Location: Pratt County/Kansas
Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.

That's great, Candace! The last I looked there were 2 girls, now 3 boys! So fun! They are peeking into the housing. I have not seen one try a gourd but my birds have not known them. Doesn't mean they haven't checked them out when I wasn't looking either.

I have read a lot on migration facts that we are learning due to banding and geo locators. I've learned that they are not monogamous for life...but I do wonder if they tend to travel together in groups since they start showing up together it seems at first. I mean my birds sticking together in a group for the migration.
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
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DornCounty
Posts: 2169
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
Location: Rural SE Kansas
Martin Colony History: .
.
Trio-Jedi

congrats deb!

Got two ASY Males today.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
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MamaBruff
Posts: 1466
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
Location: SW Missouri
Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.

Congratulations, Kansas Neighbors! Now you can do the bedhead pajama happy dance for real! Wishes for a wonderful season!
Mary
~Mary B~

Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
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Connie
Posts: 441
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:05 pm
Location: WALKER, LOUISIANA
Martin Colony History: Had my site up to 22 gourds of which most (+/-3) stayed occupied.
Downsized to 17 gourds due to back surgeries. Had 14 families in 2017 but did not do nest checks due to health. Feeling better in 2018 and hoping for a good year.

Sounds like a lotta dancing going on!!! Have fun everyone!!!
Connie
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