Tennessee Purple Martins?

[Dee P]

When our martins came we had 14 we still got around that amount. We seem to be losing more each year. How is everyone else doing so far this new season? I will be glad with the martins we have but sure hope we get lots more here soon!! Thanks for your response.

[D'Nese]

Dee,

I am in Unionville which is about an hr south of Nashville. I have been a landlord for 3 yrs this being my 4th season. We are filling up quite nicely here. I offer 2 t14's with 4 gourds mounted under. Not sure where you are tho. I have a friend in Whitehouse with a couple of gourd racks and a T14 and he is doing great as well. What type of housing do you offer?

[LynnInTenn]

I'm about 35 miles north of Nashville. I've had martins x18 years. 2 Trio houses. Usually full. I modified them last year. Put up a T14 this year. I have subbies showing quite an interest in the T14 and I think I have 2-3 occupants. Starlings are liking it too but I've killed about 10 of them, so I think they're changing their minds about it.
All in all, I have just as many martins as usual, if not more.

[Dee P]

Thanks for your reply's. We have 2 round metal double decker houses....2 long rows of natural guards..1 complete circle of natural guards...1 large condo house....and 6 houses and 1 double decker plastic house....plus 1 odd 4 corner round house....We used to have them all full but the last few yrs they seem to be not showing up as before.....glad you all are doing well...maybe we will get more as the weather gets warmer here. I live on the Cumberland Plateau in Jamestown.

[carters]

I am in Macon County and am spending my first year in a new house 5 miles away from my old one. Last May, when the house was being built, I noticed some sub adult martins flying. I had a few pair at my old house and a pole and gourd rack I was not using so I put it up at the new place. I had a pair move in and raise last year. I also had two single sub males hang around much of the summer. I was not hoping for much this year except maybe a couple of pairs. To my enjoyment, I currently have 7 pairs. All but one of the males is an ASY. I don't know where the other older birds came from, but I don't think I am finished. Two weeks ago I just had 2 pair and was pretty happy with that. Hope you get your birds soon.

[D'Nese]

Dee,

How are things at your place? Any arrivals yet?

[Dee P]

D'Nese, We are back down to 7 martins....It seems like the 14 we had just left during our last cold period and only 7 returned. I am still hoping more come in this month.....They have loved it here for yrs but the last 2 yrs we sure have lost alot.....I just don't understand it?..thanks for asking!

[BirdBrain]

Is anyone seeing nest building yet?

I've got two pairs hanging around a lot (only had one pair the last two seasons) but they're not building nests yet.

Then again, they showed up about a week earlier last year than this, and I didn't see any signs of nest-building then until May 3rd.

[Tim Stover]

already have eggs here in Madisonville TN, 185 gourds hung filling up quick

[Dee P]

We finally got alot more martins.....looks to be about what we had last yr around 30 pair so I am happy with that......they kept coming in after my last post so I waited to see how many showed up.....so great to hear their chatter!!!

[carters]

I have 9 pairs at the house with a couple of sy males hanging around. I have nests in 7 gourds and eggs in 3 of them. Not to be too optimistic, but I think I will get a few more pairs as the weather in middle tennessee has gotten warmer and not as much rain.

[BirdBrain]

Last year, my lone pair of PUMAs laid their fifth and final egg on the 15th of May.

This year, they laid their first egg sometime between last evening and this morning. Everything about their return this year is running 7-8 days behind last season.

[phldave]

BirdBrain,

That's encouraging news, because I am still hoping for my first pair up here in Iowa. Wish we would get a gush of them here in the next day or so. Have a good season!

Dave