My first martin of this new upcoming season....

Matt F. · Mon Dec 29, 2014 8:14 pm

Mike Dingman wrote:Oh yes on the space launches. I can see them from here with no
problem, even though it is a good 35 miles north, we can see them easily with out field glasses, but the field glasses really help too. After the shot goes up, then we hear the rumble. I never get tired of watching the space shots.

Mike,
Congrats on the start of your 2015 season!
After you mentioning the space launches, I couldn't resist posting a video someone posted on YouTube sometime back, of a Martin gourd rack in Melbourne, with one of the shuttles launching in the background.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVzQbx2h3-s

Peter Alberda · Mon Dec 29, 2014 8:43 pm

Mike,

I'm excited for you! Our winter is just starting here in Michigan so it's a long haul before we get to see any. Enjoy and keep us informed.

Thanks,

Pete

Mike Dingman · Tue Dec 30, 2014 7:35 am

I just went outside about 7:30 am, heard and saw the other martin my son was talking about. It is an ASY male, very vocal, lots of conversation, and lots of clicking. The female was still in the gourd, but now she is out flying with him, he landed once, and took off, so I may have my first pair. (We now have 2 females and 1 male, all on the gourd rack).

krushing · Tue Dec 30, 2014 8:52 am

Such exciting news.... I cant wait to hear that familiar sound

taxidermy lady · Tue Dec 30, 2014 5:44 pm

I thought more reports would be in by now! There has to be another Martin in southern Florida???

Louise Chambers · Tue Dec 30, 2014 5:49 pm

How about a photo? Mike sent these to add - there are 3 martins, only 2 visible in this photo.

Welcome back, martins! and thanks, Mike

taxidermy lady · Tue Dec 30, 2014 6:22 pm

Aww thanks Louise that is a sight for shivering eyes!!! It's cold up here in southern Il.

James Strickland FL · Thu Jan 01, 2015 1:17 pm

I hope that mine show up 18 days earlier, that would mean that they will be here on the 12 of Jan.

Mike Dingman · Thu Jan 01, 2015 1:26 pm

James:
I would be wouldn't be surprised to hear that they already may be near you. I have a friend in Deland, FL who has two right now, they went out and installed their gourd rack right away. I don't know if she posts on the scout report or not. But, good luck, it should be any day right now, and with these warm southerly winds blowing up from the south, that's all it takes...also, I am going on the annual bird count Saturday, been doing it for almost 10 years now, the only time I ever saw a martin was when I got home to Melbourne, that one was here to greet me. I would love to document one on the bird count as I am pretty sure we never had one, at least in the area we are working in, Felesmere, FL.

James Strickland FL · Thu Jan 01, 2015 1:53 pm

Thanks Mike and you are probably correct that they are flying around the my house as we speak. They just need to get that feeling to nest and come home. Hope you have a great Season Mike!