Low Numbers in Ks.

[tonyg]

Have around 50 martins at my colony site at the present. At this time last year I had 80/90 birds present! At this rate I'll be lucky to match my 112 pairs I had last year..who else is seeing decreased numbers at their colony sites? Very depressing!!

[tlragsdale]

Morning, Tony….OK, to put things into proper perspective . It's spring, the birds are singing, the weather warming, and you have 50 martins currently calling your place home. Maybe not what you are expecting, but still not too-dang-shabby.

Oh, how I long to look out at our set-up and see/hear 50 martins. Maybe someday. Anyhow, still--of course--time for your numbers to increase. In the meantime, enjoy the "glass half-full".

Respectfully,

Terry

[Matt F.]

Hi Tony.
Numbers are down here as well, compared to previous seasons at this point.
I'm seeing very low numbers of ASY females as well.
Something definitely seems off.

[Craig Haddox]

Here in Washington, Missouri I would usually have around 15 martins by now. As of today I have between 30-35 martins here. Hopefully it keeps up this pace.

[phldave]

Come on everybody it's almost Easter. I could use some GOOD news. maybe we'll all get some tomorrow, like on the very first Easter. I'm keeping the pressure on the S&S and playing vocals off and on. The rest is out of my hands, somethings got to give.

[DornCounty]

I have 20 at my colony.. About same as last year..but smaller colonies like mine would be hard to use as a guage.

Parsons seems lighter than normal, but it is so hard to judge until they start building nests as they don't seem to loiter much in town.

[tonyg]

I gauge by early morning gathering and when they come in to roost in the evening..disappointed so far..

[John Miller]

I think we're on target here...seems to be about 20 or more in the park sites. Tony keep us posted on your numbers. If some were lost in snow in Texas and LA, others should fill in soon. I recall one year back when Eisenhower was in office..well.., maybe 2008, when cold rain the first full week of May killed off many in the middle states and then sub adults filled in. taught me that we're not out of the woods with weather mortality until after mid May at least, and maybe not until August.

[James Strickland FL]

My numbers are more than doubled this year and I have not seen a lot of the Sy's as of yet.

[Dave Reynolds]

John --- When Eisenhower was in office..??? You know how long ago that was... (Just kidding) Some of us here were only about 8 or 9 when Eisenhower was in Office. I didn't have Martins then, but my father did. (Ha Ha)
But you are right on the cold spell that caught a lot of Martins off guard, and many were lost.. Hope that never happens again..

Dave

[skw159]

I don't know how credible this research is, but this particular Audubon society is thinking that harsh springtime conditions and lack of housing for colonies is causing a steady decline in the Midwest.

I do know we've had a very cold spring so far here in Illinois.

http://gaylordnelsonaudubon.org/martin-mart/

[Kevin-GA]

Tony, I was feeling the same way here a couple weeks ago, but we now have around 200 Martins. They are running about two or more weeks behind. We had the earliest arrival ever and the slowest start ever so I wouldn't worry, Their definitely on the way!

[tonyg]

I will John...

And Kevin I hope your right...

[DebA]

I am at about 15 birds. For me at this time of year that is great. But it has only been the past year or two that I have even had birds in March. I have a feeling that Kevin is right. Maybe it's just wishful thinking. I suspect the majority knew to come in later this year and we will still see an onslaught in the next two weeks. And then the SY's in our area after that. That's my prediction. Let's check back here at the end of April.
Deb

[kimball911]

I am doing great in SE Kansas. I have 12 and keep increasing 1-3 birds per day. I think it is way too early to start statistics. I had my first hawk attack this morning and we are in town. At this time, i don't know if he got one or not...Our temps haven't stayed consistently warm either. We've had highs in the 50's for several days, then 70's. I'm sure in a few weeks we will really start seeing the great migration.

[stan davison]

I am up to 20 confirmed ASY pairs. Have 2 or 3 single ASY males. Today is very warm and windy so I am excited to see what comes in tonight. The martins here leave once the Coopers shows up and stay away from the housing until late afternoon. The hawk has made a couple unsuccessful attacks as of late. I have plenty of decoys and several other species of birds around here for him to get. I have some early pairs fetching green leaves already.

[tonyg]

Stan are you at, ahead, or behind with your numbers from last year? Thanks, Tony..

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Sighted my first SY male yesterday at 10:15. This is 2-3 weeks early for SY reports in Kansas but it was a SY as it had a red band on it's right leg which is the color I used last year to band all of my nestlings. He returned numerous times throughout the day. Don't know if he will stay or look for housing elsewhere.

Tim

[DornCounty]

Sighted my first SY male yesterday at 10:15. This is 2-3 weeks early for SY reports in Kansas but it was a SY as it had a red band on it's right leg which is the color I used last year to band all of my nestlings. He returned numerous times throughout the day. Don't know if he will stay or look for housing elsewhere.

Tim

Nice! very cool that it was yours. Thought I had a subbie Monday evening but could not get a good enough look for such an early sighting.

I am now at 23 individuals. at home.. counted 24 in Parsons last night which his a high count this year. Guessing many more than that present as they generally don't hang around the houses much till nesting starts.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Andrew:
Three new males and one new female this morning, all ASY.
Hope you survived the storms yesterday and hope we all survive the ones developing in our area later today and tomorrow. They are saying it should start getting bad around 4:00 pm.

Tim