Upper winds will favor a return of the first scout to Texas today. Then back down from the north before light winds once again on Sunday.
There's probably a seasoned veteran trying to make his way back that will take advantage of the narrow window of favorable winds and he will be chirping on a rack Saturday AM.
I found a new site that at least projects 4 days of upper wind forecasts. We will see if it is reliable.
The gulf is open for migration!
Doug
Is it Texas time?
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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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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.
Hoping you south Texas folks have healthy arrivals and plenty of bugs. 
AND I hope you keep any transient northbound scouts there for a while and fatten them up real good! This winter in MO has been NASTY, with no signs of letting up anytime soon.
AND I hope you keep any transient northbound scouts there for a while and fatten them up real good! This winter in MO has been NASTY, with no signs of letting up anytime soon.~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.
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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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
It's kind of odd but the first Texas martins show up further north, not in Corpus Christi area - often first reports come from Seguin (east of San Antonio) or around Houston. Gourds are ready here, at least a few of them. and yes, plenty of worms in freezer :-)
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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.
Louise,
Isn't that strange... I wonder why that is? Is it warmer and buggier there? Hmm
Isn't that strange... I wonder why that is? Is it warmer and buggier there? Hmm
~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.
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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apundt-TX
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:34 pm
- Location: Pflugerville, Texas
- Martin Colony History: :
2022-1 pair
1 pair 2021
2020- Didn't get setup fast enough in Pflugerville
2019- Apartment
2018 Divorce lost Colony in Dripping Springs
19 pair 2017
17 pair 2015
12 pair 2014
8 pair 2013
5 pair 2012
2 pair 2011
If the location near Houston is Richmond. Then I know exactly why those two places get martins first. Super colony in existence for over 20 years. Then the best of the best when it comes to site management and housing.
PMCA member
racks:CUE AAA-16, PMCA Multipurpose pole , S&K EZ-Lift, Lonestar/Songbird Essentials, CUE 12 gourd rack
gourds: S&K gourds, Supergourds, Troyer horizontals, Naturalines, few naturals
housing: S&K great 8, TRIO M12K, Coates/BirdsChoice 8 room wateresdge
racks:CUE AAA-16, PMCA Multipurpose pole , S&K EZ-Lift, Lonestar/Songbird Essentials, CUE 12 gourd rack
gourds: S&K gourds, Supergourds, Troyer horizontals, Naturalines, few naturals
housing: S&K great 8, TRIO M12K, Coates/BirdsChoice 8 room wateresdge
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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
Keep those reports coming Doug! Ironic how your report and Louise's comments occurred right before Tony F's first arrival!
Jeff
Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
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AnnieM
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:57 pm
- Location: Spring Branch/Canyon Lake ~ Mystic Shores, Comal County, TX
- Martin Colony History: 2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 28 - 17 pair
2017 - Full house for first time. 24 gourds all occupied. :-)
So there ya go!!! Louise ain't just 'nother purty Texas face!!! 
PMCA Member
2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 29/17 pair
2017 - Full house first time-24 gourds all occupied
2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 29/17 pair
2017 - Full house first time-24 gourds all occupied
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AnnieM
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:57 pm
- Location: Spring Branch/Canyon Lake ~ Mystic Shores, Comal County, TX
- Martin Colony History: 2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 28 - 17 pair
2017 - Full house for first time. 24 gourds all occupied. :-)
Doug, here is an interesting wind map of the US. Doesn't help us much with Old Mexico and the gulf, but gives a general idea:
http://hint.fm/wind/
http://hint.fm/wind/
Last edited by AnnieM on Sun Jan 12, 2014 2:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
PMCA Member
2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 29/17 pair
2017 - Full house first time-24 gourds all occupied
2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 29/17 pair
2017 - Full house first time-24 gourds all occupied
We have plenty natural food for everyone right now. The weather is almost perfect around here for a large influx over the next few days.MamaBruff wrote:Hoping you south Texas folks have healthy arrivals and plenty of bugs.
2021
T14
10 Pair
49 Fledged
T14
10 Pair
49 Fledged
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DornCounty
- Posts: 2169
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
- Location: Rural SE Kansas
- Martin Colony History: .
.
Trio-Jedi
Louise Chambers wrote:It's kind of odd but the first Texas martins show up further north, not in Corpus Christi area - often first reports come from Seguin (east of San Antonio) or around Houston. Gourds are ready here, at least a few of them. and yes, plenty of worms in freezer :-)
Well you called it Sequin.. first report for texas on the 10th
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
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DornCounty
- Posts: 2169
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
- Location: Rural SE Kansas
- Martin Colony History: .
.
Trio-Jedi
Also one reported just across the Mex border into the US ont the 9th.. via Ebird.
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S16312861
Here is a link that should show all reports from this year on ebird for anyone interested. typically the PMCA reports are more timely, but this is a good resource too. You can zoom in to see detail of the sighting.
http://ebird.org/ebird/map/purmar?neg=t ... 4&eyr=2014
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S16312861
Here is a link that should show all reports from this year on ebird for anyone interested. typically the PMCA reports are more timely, but this is a good resource too. You can zoom in to see detail of the sighting.
http://ebird.org/ebird/map/purmar?neg=t ... 4&eyr=2014
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
I know that my question is not going to have any answers, but?
We discuss about wind patterns, climate, geography, etc. in reference to general purple martin migration.
How do past purple martin landlords affect the local and regional migration patterns?
How did the Indians who put up gourds affect the present? Did they shift the way purple martins nest from the natural cavities to cavities provided by man?
How did the Europeans who settled the country affect purple martins?
Europeans brought traditions with them from the Old World. Among those traditions from the Old World was putting up houses for migratory birds of Europe.
Specifically, central Texas was settled by many Germans and Czechs.
Small example: my great grandfather Voytek (Albert in English?) settled in Shiner, TX. As a carpenter he built wood purple martin houses. I would assume that other industrious German and Czech settlers put up martin houses.
Tony Frederickson and Joe Matejcek look like German and Czech names to me.
Did the early European settlers begin a regional and local migratory pattern that continues to this day?
By the way, Seguin, Gonzales, and Shiner are VERY close together.
Or are the family traditions simply being handed down? No doubt it has affected my family.
I know that Tony Frederickson has been an excellent landlord for over 20 years and I suspect that Joe Matejcek is one also.
I will even speculate that future regional and local purple migration patterns will be affected by the current landlords.
We discuss about wind patterns, climate, geography, etc. in reference to general purple martin migration.
How do past purple martin landlords affect the local and regional migration patterns?
How did the Indians who put up gourds affect the present? Did they shift the way purple martins nest from the natural cavities to cavities provided by man?
How did the Europeans who settled the country affect purple martins?
Europeans brought traditions with them from the Old World. Among those traditions from the Old World was putting up houses for migratory birds of Europe.
Specifically, central Texas was settled by many Germans and Czechs.
Small example: my great grandfather Voytek (Albert in English?) settled in Shiner, TX. As a carpenter he built wood purple martin houses. I would assume that other industrious German and Czech settlers put up martin houses.
Tony Frederickson and Joe Matejcek look like German and Czech names to me.
Did the early European settlers begin a regional and local migratory pattern that continues to this day?
By the way, Seguin, Gonzales, and Shiner are VERY close together.
Or are the family traditions simply being handed down? No doubt it has affected my family.
I know that Tony Frederickson has been an excellent landlord for over 20 years and I suspect that Joe Matejcek is one also.
I will even speculate that future regional and local purple migration patterns will be affected by the current landlords.
Last edited by 4th Gen Martin Fan on Sun Jan 26, 2014 5:29 pm, edited 6 times in total.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Did you get the scout in Dripping Springs today?apundt-TX wrote:If the location near Houston is Richmond. Then I know exactly why those two places get martins first. Super colony in existence for over 20 years. Then the best of the best when it comes to site management and housing.
2021
T14
10 Pair
49 Fledged
T14
10 Pair
49 Fledged
-
apundt-TX
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:34 pm
- Location: Pflugerville, Texas
- Martin Colony History: :
2022-1 pair
1 pair 2021
2020- Didn't get setup fast enough in Pflugerville
2019- Apartment
2018 Divorce lost Colony in Dripping Springs
19 pair 2017
17 pair 2015
12 pair 2014
8 pair 2013
5 pair 2012
2 pair 2011
Not me. I don't recognize the name.
I usually don't see any around hear until March 1st.
I usually don't see any around hear until March 1st.
PMCA member
racks:CUE AAA-16, PMCA Multipurpose pole , S&K EZ-Lift, Lonestar/Songbird Essentials, CUE 12 gourd rack
gourds: S&K gourds, Supergourds, Troyer horizontals, Naturalines, few naturals
housing: S&K great 8, TRIO M12K, Coates/BirdsChoice 8 room wateresdge
racks:CUE AAA-16, PMCA Multipurpose pole , S&K EZ-Lift, Lonestar/Songbird Essentials, CUE 12 gourd rack
gourds: S&K gourds, Supergourds, Troyer horizontals, Naturalines, few naturals
housing: S&K great 8, TRIO M12K, Coates/BirdsChoice 8 room wateresdge
So glad to hear your reports Doug! The season has definately begun!!! 
D'Nese in Tennessee
2009-new house up, many visitors no one stayed
2010-3 pairs, 14 eggs, 9 babies 9 fledged
2011 20 pairs, 106 eggs, 79 fledged
2012 37 pair, 120 fledged
2013 37 pair, 173 fledged
2009-new house up, many visitors no one stayed
2010-3 pairs, 14 eggs, 9 babies 9 fledged
2011 20 pairs, 106 eggs, 79 fledged
2012 37 pair, 120 fledged
2013 37 pair, 173 fledged
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Finally something out of Houston area.
Is this year not unusual?!
Is this year not unusual?!
Last edited by 4th Gen Martin Fan on Sun Jan 19, 2014 5:57 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.