Central Arkansas Update

[Kent Justus]

I wanted to provide a quick report from central Arkansas. We have had terrible weather again this year with a long winter. I did not even see a scout this year until March 13. That is Friday the 13th, unfortunately! I hope that does not bode ill for this season. After a late start things have really picked up and martins are fighting over cavities and starting to build. I am battling the sparrows and starlings right now. I took down an older Chuck Abare-style rack and replaced it with my favorite gourd rack, the Gemini. I am also converting over to almost all Troyer horizontal and vertical gourds. I only have 16 natural gourds remaining out of the 123 cavities I have erected. So far, not much hawk pressure. I am fortunate that one day we had a severe wind storm (April 9) and I ran out before it hit and lowered all four systems to half mast. Even at that I stood on my porch and endured around six gusts of winds over 70 mph, which proceeded to knock enough shingles off of my house that I am having to have my roof replaced. I also watched it lift and blow over a chicken coop, and then it shook my gourd racks violently and tilted the newest one slightly because the ground is so saturated that it blew it off of vertical, even in concrete. Thank goodness all systems were lowered or some or all would have bent to the ground in the winds. All is good now and martins are pouring in. I believe I saw the first SY male a few days ago making the rounds between racks. Wishing everyone a terrific season, and hopefully the weather is great from here on out this year. - Kent Justus / Mt. Vernon, Arkansas

[taxidermy lady]

Wow Kent hope your weather gets better. Sorry to hear about the damage! That always is a burden to a person! Good luck with the rest of your year!

[tonyg]

I just looked at your profile Kent and noticed you haven't updated since 2007 and you had 60 plus pairs..flash forward and you have 123 cavities available, my question is, do you fill most or all cavities you offer over the years not listed?

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Hi Kent:

Lets hope that is the only storm event you will have for the season. Miss seeing you each year.

Tim

[Kent Justus]

Tony, this year I added an additional 20 cavities. Over the years I have slowly built up to around 100 cavities as of last season. I don't plan on adding anything else to this site. Last year I had around 85-90 pairs, so around 90% occupancy. I have been at this site for 16 years now.

Tim, will miss seeing you around this area, but I know you are so happy to be home in Kansas. Do you have any martins this year?

I never tire of sitting out after a stressful day and looking up into the sky to watch the acrobatics of our beautiful martins. I just hope this year where I live an F4 tornado doesn't come close again. Thanks everyone, and I hope to see you at MartinFest.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Kent:

Had seven pair last year which was my first year here in Kansas. Have at least that many so far this year.

Tim