Any big roosts yet?

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
suem
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:00 am
Location: Virginia/Scottsville

Sadly, at least half of my Martins have left. Seems early to me. But am wondering when they start their big roosts. I really need to see one this year! Thanks!!
Love the gurgles
scottfreidhof
Posts: 349
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:13 am
Location: Kentucky/Morehead

I checked radar this morning for Virginia. A sizable roost ring was visible around the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge south of Virginia Beach. This site has not been reported or confirmed on the Project MartinRoost webpage. Should be a very worthwhile site to visit and confirm.
suem
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:00 am
Location: Virginia/Scottsville

I've been checking radar also. Which radar do you monitor? I use NOAA but can't get detailed than regional. Thanks for info.
Love the gurgles
Emil Pampell-Tx
Posts: 6743
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas

Here in the Houston area, there is a large roost near Stafford, Texas. It can easily be seen every morning on radar
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Jim 1990
Posts: 254
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2004 11:08 am
Location: Fort wayne IN

tlragsdale
Posts: 218
Joined: Wed Jul 24, 2013 12:22 pm
Location: Wisconsin/New Richmond

And, to think our nestlings haven't even ventured out on to the porch of their respective gourds yet☺️
Terry & Michelle
New Richmond, WI

2005 - 2014 Hard luck stories
2015 - 2 pair, 12 eggs/12 fledglings
2016 - 6 pair, 35 eggs/35 fledged
2017 - 18 pair, 88 eggs / 85 fledged.
2018 - 23 pair, 119 eggs/115 fledged.
2019 - 31 pair, 137 eggs/133 fledged
jedin
Posts: 158
Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2012 3:19 pm
Location: Kentucky/Harrodsburg

Scott, have you any news on KY roosts?
2011: First house late June, lots of visitors
2012: One pair of SY, 5 fledged
2013: 4 pair, 18 fledged
2014: 4 pair, 20 fledged
2015: 14 pair
2016: 18 pair
Chris B
Posts: 379
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 4:10 pm
Location: AL/Toney

Hey radar folks, let me know when you see the Huntsville, AL roost show up and I will go into town and verify it. I suspect it may be forming as my birds have gotten scarce.

Here is my report from last season with a video included:

http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... ht=#236659
2014 8 gourds, 3 pairs nested. Ended w/ 24 total
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.
scottfreidhof
Posts: 349
Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:13 am
Location: Kentucky/Morehead

Sue,

I use http://www.wunderground.com/ to look at radar around 6:30 am in the morning.

From that Weather Underground webpage,

click on the "Maps and Radar" tab,
then click on "Radar Maps" and a map of the U.S. will pop up,
click on your state on the map,
then click on a radar site (circle) within your state map,

A radar image will pop up showing a single static frame at the current time. You can animate the radar image to see what has happened during the last hour or so up to the current time and image.

Under "Animate" below the radar image, click on the drop down box arrow and highlight the "10 Frames" option.

Then under "Frame Delay" use the drop down box to select "slow" or "medium" speed.

The radar image will automatically begin animation and the roost rings should show up very well if there is no other weather to obscure them.
suem
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:00 am
Location: Virginia/Scottsville

WOW! Thanks Scott! I will try this in morning. I been looking at NOAA but can't get zoomed in.. I'll let you and everyone else know what I see!
Love the gurgles
Post Reply