For those still looking for new arrivals in establishing a site.
More just came in.
Once again a roudy and usettled evening. I watched a SY male try for a half hour to find a spot for the night. With newly hatched young and eggs in most cavities no one was rolling out red carpets.
They all got to go somewhere. I am full.
Doug
Another Subbie wave arrives here.
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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avesrun
- Posts: 1127
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:10 pm
- Location: Iowa/West Des Moines
- Martin Colony History: Home Site: 2017- 0
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
Satellite Site: 2017 (3rd season)
34 pair
Fledged- 102
Hi Doug thanks for the post. Do you think we'll see more sy birds arrive in the Midwest? (Particularly iowa) 
PMCA Member
Home Site: 2012-15 visitors
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
2017-18 Zero
2019- 3 Successful Pr
2020- 21pr, fledged 76
Satellite Site: 2014 - visitors
2015 - 2 pair fledged 9
2016 - 13 pair fledged 44
2017 - 31 pair fledged 118
2018 - 44 pair 163 fledged
2019- 49 pr 219 fledged
2020- 47 pr 209 fledged
Home Site: 2012-15 visitors
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
2017-18 Zero
2019- 3 Successful Pr
2020- 21pr, fledged 76
Satellite Site: 2014 - visitors
2015 - 2 pair fledged 9
2016 - 13 pair fledged 44
2017 - 31 pair fledged 118
2018 - 44 pair 163 fledged
2019- 49 pr 219 fledged
2020- 47 pr 209 fledged
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phldave
- Posts: 528
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:44 pm
- Location: Iowa/Pleasant Hill
- Martin Colony History: Started trying in 2012 and still trying
Doug,
Thanks so much for the info, avesrun and I are really starting to chomp at the bit. Sure hope something good happens to us soon.
Dave
Thanks so much for the info, avesrun and I are really starting to chomp at the bit. Sure hope something good happens to us soon.
Dave
2012 late start
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
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NOMORE-Beggin4Birds
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:21 am
- Location: Walkersville, MD
" DOUG " :
I read your post on the Forum this morning, regarding another Subbie wave arriving at this time. I have posted this questions several times on the Forum and got NO response. I know from past years that this is about the time that we get another wave of subbies and then again in the early part of June. Those of us who are trying to start a NEW colony are very much interested in the arrival of subbies in our area, as these are the birds that usually give us a start with a FIRST pair. I believe that many do NOT pay close attention to subbies and their habits and arrivals, as they already have martins and subbies are NOT their priority. I began to see subbies at my site around May 18 and they came and went for about 1 week. They left and I have seen VERY FEW visitors for more than 2 weeks. This is less visitors that I have had investigating for years !!! Do you feel that it is because the " BIG " waves have been late this year ??? Possibly they are going to several of the LARGE colonies that are very close to my site. I am really interested in your opinion as to what you think regarding what I might expect this coming week and into the 2nd week in June, here in Maryland.
For now, I continue to be . . . . . .
" Beggin4Birds "
I read your post on the Forum this morning, regarding another Subbie wave arriving at this time. I have posted this questions several times on the Forum and got NO response. I know from past years that this is about the time that we get another wave of subbies and then again in the early part of June. Those of us who are trying to start a NEW colony are very much interested in the arrival of subbies in our area, as these are the birds that usually give us a start with a FIRST pair. I believe that many do NOT pay close attention to subbies and their habits and arrivals, as they already have martins and subbies are NOT their priority. I began to see subbies at my site around May 18 and they came and went for about 1 week. They left and I have seen VERY FEW visitors for more than 2 weeks. This is less visitors that I have had investigating for years !!! Do you feel that it is because the " BIG " waves have been late this year ??? Possibly they are going to several of the LARGE colonies that are very close to my site. I am really interested in your opinion as to what you think regarding what I might expect this coming week and into the 2nd week in June, here in Maryland.
For now, I continue to be . . . . . ." Beggin4Birds "
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DakotaLady
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
- Location: Bismarck, ND
Beggin4Birds,
I know I am not Doug...but I know I am seeing a lot more young birds that are showing up at my site. This past week I have had about 20+ birds that fly around and cause havoc.
I don't have eggs yet but the pairs that are spending the night have been carrying leaves into their nests like crazy. Yesterday I watched a SY male sneak into one of the ASY's nests while they were gone and steal a leaf, he then threw it out of the nest, stood on the porch and looked from side to side of the gourd to make sure he was not going to get caught and ran back into the gourd to throw out more leaves. I think he knew if he got caught he was going to get in trouble. It was comical but I'm thankful there were no eggs or babies for him to mess with.
The SY birds do not seem to be spending the night here from what I can tell, but they have been showing up every morning and hang out all day until they fly off to feed. Then I don't see them again until morning.
It sounds like, from trying to catch up reading all the posts I've missed, that the SY's are still coming through TX and some of the other southern states. So perhaps you will still get visitors and possibly a pair that will stay. Good luck.
I know I am not Doug...but I know I am seeing a lot more young birds that are showing up at my site. This past week I have had about 20+ birds that fly around and cause havoc.
I don't have eggs yet but the pairs that are spending the night have been carrying leaves into their nests like crazy. Yesterday I watched a SY male sneak into one of the ASY's nests while they were gone and steal a leaf, he then threw it out of the nest, stood on the porch and looked from side to side of the gourd to make sure he was not going to get caught and ran back into the gourd to throw out more leaves. I think he knew if he got caught he was going to get in trouble. It was comical but I'm thankful there were no eggs or babies for him to mess with.
The SY birds do not seem to be spending the night here from what I can tell, but they have been showing up every morning and hang out all day until they fly off to feed. Then I don't see them again until morning.
It sounds like, from trying to catch up reading all the posts I've missed, that the SY's are still coming through TX and some of the other southern states. So perhaps you will still get visitors and possibly a pair that will stay. Good luck.
~Tangula~
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
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ToyinPA
- Posts: 2227
- Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
- Location: PA/Avis
- Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.
I got a few new SY's last week & think I may have a new SY Female this morning.
As of 2 days ago I only have 1 nest with eggs so far.
I have room for several more pairs, so I can handle all the SY's that come my way
.
Count:
8 ASY Males
4 ASY Females
5 SY Males
5 SY Females maybe 6
Toy in PA
As of 2 days ago I only have 1 nest with eggs so far.
I have room for several more pairs, so I can handle all the SY's that come my way
.Count:
8 ASY Males
4 ASY Females
5 SY Males
5 SY Females maybe 6
Toy in PA
PMCA Member
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Martin man RI
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2003 7:04 pm
- Location: MA/RI area
Same thing happen here another large pulse of SY and ASY birds
I took in five new pairs. Around July 7th there will be another flock
to fly threw most of my 106 units are taken I might have six empty.
In this flock I got two yearling females with orange and silver bands.
Nobody around here bands so these birds must be from PA 0r NJ ?
I have gotten above average numbers of new birds and i would never imagined such success.
Ray
I took in five new pairs. Around July 7th there will be another flock
to fly threw most of my 106 units are taken I might have six empty.
In this flock I got two yearling females with orange and silver bands.
Nobody around here bands so these birds must be from PA 0r NJ ?
I have gotten above average numbers of new birds and i would never imagined such success.
Ray
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Martin man RI
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2003 7:04 pm
- Location: MA/RI area
Sorry that should be June 7th.
Ray
Ray