I've just become a member. Hello everyone.
-
Curtis Reil
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:51 pm
- Location: Alberta/Tofield
- Martin Colony History: I inherited this colony when I purchased the property from my Great Uncle. To the best of my knowledge, he had hosted Martins since 1977. Housing consisted of three twelve compartment units that he had built. Small compartments, round holes and no way to lower for managing. There were maybe 6-8 pairs here when we moved in. Through reading up on information provided by the PMCA and that provided to me by Bob Buskas, the decision was made to upgrade the housing. We are now fully switched over to North Star houses and hosted 58 pairs this season(2017). 60 compartments open for business and being so close to 100% occupancy, I believe we may expand housing offered next season. Expansion will continue contingent to high occupancy, being able to keep up on management and or until it starts to feel like work.
Hello there. After about a year of skulking around in the shadows here I have joined the forum. There is such a wealth of knowledge and passion for this pastime here. I'm very glad to have this resource to call upon & hopefully be able to add to as well. I currently have an existing colony. Just waiting anxiously for them to return although I'm glad they haven't as we are getting hammered with snow again. Again, I'm very excited to be among your ranks!
-
ROBINMOULIERE
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:00 pm
- Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
Welcome, and I hope the martins come your way and have a great season. I am in Louisiana and we are enjoying the warmth today. Our eggs are underway already...hang in there, your time is coming soon !!
Robin's Nest for purple martins in memory of Mr. Bands. (Mr. Bands came 2010 from New Jersey as a 2 year old. 2011, he CAME BACK TO US, but found dead inside a cavity at start of 2011 season.) 2010- 53 fledged, 2011- 75 fledged, 2012- 109 fledged. Using 2 28 Trendsetter units.
welcome,
maybe tomorrow as they are very close. Have a great year.
maybe tomorrow as they are very close. Have a great year.
2009. 98 eggs, 66 hatch, 61 fledged.
2010. 114 eggs, 89 hatch,70 fledged.
2011. 96 eggs. 80 hatch,68 fledged.Heavy Merlin preditation.
2012. 89 eggs. 56 hatch, good fledge. Guards installed. Merlin not sighted at houses.
2013. First Egg May 24, first Baby June 13.
2014. successful.
2015. successful.
2016. Martin's population decline, suspect new housing in the neighborhood. Merlin eating well also!
2017.Population explosion
. first egg May 25 in a BO-11
2018. Population stable.
2010. 114 eggs, 89 hatch,70 fledged.
2011. 96 eggs. 80 hatch,68 fledged.Heavy Merlin preditation.
2012. 89 eggs. 56 hatch, good fledge. Guards installed. Merlin not sighted at houses.
2013. First Egg May 24, first Baby June 13.
2014. successful.
2015. successful.
2016. Martin's population decline, suspect new housing in the neighborhood. Merlin eating well also!
2017.Population explosion
. first egg May 25 in a BO-112018. Population stable.
-
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.
Welcome, Curtis! Way to join and show yourself! Ha!
I love your desire to grow your colony. I'm hoping to as well. S&S are prolific here. I keep fighting them and am making headway. Sounds like you have that under control.
Hopefully your snow ends soon! I've now been teased with gorgeous spring weather and hope it stays around!
Take care and here's to a great year!
Deb
I love your desire to grow your colony. I'm hoping to as well. S&S are prolific here. I keep fighting them and am making headway. Sounds like you have that under control.
Hopefully your snow ends soon! I've now been teased with gorgeous spring weather and hope it stays around!
Take care and here's to a great year!
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
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
-
Don~VA
- Posts: 391
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:01 am
- Location: Virginia/King George
- Martin Colony History: Had a colony many years ago which dwindled over a couple of years and then did not return. Kept trying each year for almost 20 years and finally had a small success in 2011 with two pairs nesting. Colony has grown slowly each year with 22 pairs in 2015. In 2016 my gourd rack of 18 gourds filled up so I added 4 more gourds and then put up a small rack of 6 gourds. All of those were claimed within a few days so I believe I have at least 25 pairs this year.
Hello and Welcome Curtis. I know you will enjoy the many topics on the forum and the many tips and experiences from the members. Since you already host PMs be sure to share your updates with us. My PM season is starting very slow in eastern Virginia with only 5 martins so far but others in southern Virginia are filled up. I am just waiting for those SYs to build my colony maybe. 
Have a great martin season!
Have a great martin season!Don~Northern Neck of Virginia-PMCA Member
Welcome Curtis.
It's a good thing you steped out in the open, skulking around is how the sparrows get SHOT!
It's a good thing you steped out in the open, skulking around is how the sparrows get SHOT!
Tony
2007 --- 0 2011---0 2015---4
2008 --- 0 2012---0 16-19—0
2009 --- 0 2013---1 2020—?
2010 --- 0 2014---3
2007 --- 0 2011---0 2015---4
2008 --- 0 2012---0 16-19—0
2009 --- 0 2013---1 2020—?
2010 --- 0 2014---3
-
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
Welcome aboard Curtis,
Glad to have you on the forum. I had only 2 asy males yesterday, and when I called my sister this morning, because I live with her, she said there were lots of martins flying around today. They must be on the move with this strong south wind. I hope they get your way today. We are suppose to have cold, rainy weather for the next 5 days here. I don't imagine it will be any better up your way. Good luck and I hope you have a great season!
Glad to have you on the forum. I had only 2 asy males yesterday, and when I called my sister this morning, because I live with her, she said there were lots of martins flying around today. They must be on the move with this strong south wind. I hope they get your way today. We are suppose to have cold, rainy weather for the next 5 days here. I don't imagine it will be any better up your way. Good luck and I hope you have a great season!
Trish
-
Glynn B - LA
- Posts: 320
- Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 3:59 pm
- Location: Louisiana West Monroe
Welcome to the forum.
Glynn
Glynn
2019 26 pair 116 fledged
2018 20 pair 76 fledged
2017 19 pair 82 fledged
2016 13 pair 48 fledged
2015 3 pair 13 fledged
2014 1 pair 4 fledged
2013 2 pair 6 fledged
2012 0 pair
2011 0 pair
I don’t have the perfect site. One open flyway with trees within 80 ft. I do have a small pond they utilize during the heat of Summer. (2017) HEAVY HAWK PREDATION
2018 20 pair 76 fledged
2017 19 pair 82 fledged
2016 13 pair 48 fledged
2015 3 pair 13 fledged
2014 1 pair 4 fledged
2013 2 pair 6 fledged
2012 0 pair
2011 0 pair
I don’t have the perfect site. One open flyway with trees within 80 ft. I do have a small pond they utilize during the heat of Summer. (2017) HEAVY HAWK PREDATION
-
Curtis Reil
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:51 pm
- Location: Alberta/Tofield
- Martin Colony History: I inherited this colony when I purchased the property from my Great Uncle. To the best of my knowledge, he had hosted Martins since 1977. Housing consisted of three twelve compartment units that he had built. Small compartments, round holes and no way to lower for managing. There were maybe 6-8 pairs here when we moved in. Through reading up on information provided by the PMCA and that provided to me by Bob Buskas, the decision was made to upgrade the housing. We are now fully switched over to North Star houses and hosted 58 pairs this season(2017). 60 compartments open for business and being so close to 100% occupancy, I believe we may expand housing offered next season. Expansion will continue contingent to high occupancy, being able to keep up on management and or until it starts to feel like work.
Thank you for the warm welcomes. Still no arrivals at my colony but they've been showing in a few spots close to me. Should have an arrival in the next 3 days I would think. The snow from this last storm is disappearing quickly and water on the ponds is opening up as well so some bugs should be flying pretty short term here too. Wishing you all a great season as well.