"DAD, DAD, DAD!!! COME QUICK!!!! HURRY"!!!!
"WHAT'S WRONG SWEETIE"???!!
"THERE'S MARTINS HERE DAD!!! I'M NOT JOKING"!!!
My kids pulled me from one side of the house to the other with great exuberance as I was expecting to see a pair of starlings but to my surprise we have an ASY male & female here this morning. Earliest arrival we have had here ever but they are welcome anytime. They are busy preening and warming themselves in the sun. I'm going to coffee up and wait until I hear some vocals. It's a great day.
Alberta Arrival
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Curtis Reil
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:51 pm
- Location: Alberta/Tofield
- Martin Colony History: I inherited this colony when I purchased the property from my Great Uncle. To the best of my knowledge, he had hosted Martins since 1977. Housing consisted of three twelve compartment units that he had built. Small compartments, round holes and no way to lower for managing. There were maybe 6-8 pairs here when we moved in. Through reading up on information provided by the PMCA and that provided to me by Bob Buskas, the decision was made to upgrade the housing. We are now fully switched over to North Star houses and hosted 58 pairs this season(2017). 60 compartments open for business and being so close to 100% occupancy, I believe we may expand housing offered next season. Expansion will continue contingent to high occupancy, being able to keep up on management and or until it starts to feel like work.
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Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
Congrats Curtis, I was speculating the other day with another forum member that I would not be surprised if the Martins skipped over Manitoba and Alberta or Sask would have the first arrival in western Canada. Your weather has been so much nicer than ours in the last few weeks.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
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Curtis Reil
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:51 pm
- Location: Alberta/Tofield
- Martin Colony History: I inherited this colony when I purchased the property from my Great Uncle. To the best of my knowledge, he had hosted Martins since 1977. Housing consisted of three twelve compartment units that he had built. Small compartments, round holes and no way to lower for managing. There were maybe 6-8 pairs here when we moved in. Through reading up on information provided by the PMCA and that provided to me by Bob Buskas, the decision was made to upgrade the housing. We are now fully switched over to North Star houses and hosted 58 pairs this season(2017). 60 compartments open for business and being so close to 100% occupancy, I believe we may expand housing offered next season. Expansion will continue contingent to high occupancy, being able to keep up on management and or until it starts to feel like work.
Hi Archer. Yes, they shocked the heck out of me. I've been watching the weather east and south but thought they would just stall out and wait for it to improve. Nope! I have seen some insects on the wing and the weather looks pretty good for the next while anyway. I sure hope they can find enough grub. If not, I'm ready with crickets. Who knows, they just might be taking a breather and still have a ways to go.
good news Curtis,
I was scrambling yesterday and trapping today. Awesome they are early no sightings yet.
Rob
I was scrambling yesterday and trapping today. Awesome they are early no sightings yet.
Rob
2009. 98 eggs, 66 hatch, 61 fledged.
2010. 114 eggs, 89 hatch,70 fledged.
2011. 96 eggs. 80 hatch,68 fledged.Heavy Merlin preditation.
2012. 89 eggs. 56 hatch, good fledge. Guards installed. Merlin not sighted at houses.
2013. First Egg May 24, first Baby June 13.
2014. successful.
2015. successful.
2016. Martin's population decline, suspect new housing in the neighborhood. Merlin eating well also!
2017.Population explosion
. first egg May 25 in a BO-11
2018. Population stable.
2010. 114 eggs, 89 hatch,70 fledged.
2011. 96 eggs. 80 hatch,68 fledged.Heavy Merlin preditation.
2012. 89 eggs. 56 hatch, good fledge. Guards installed. Merlin not sighted at houses.
2013. First Egg May 24, first Baby June 13.
2014. successful.
2015. successful.
2016. Martin's population decline, suspect new housing in the neighborhood. Merlin eating well also!
2017.Population explosion
. first egg May 25 in a BO-112018. Population stable.
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Curtis Reil
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:51 pm
- Location: Alberta/Tofield
- Martin Colony History: I inherited this colony when I purchased the property from my Great Uncle. To the best of my knowledge, he had hosted Martins since 1977. Housing consisted of three twelve compartment units that he had built. Small compartments, round holes and no way to lower for managing. There were maybe 6-8 pairs here when we moved in. Through reading up on information provided by the PMCA and that provided to me by Bob Buskas, the decision was made to upgrade the housing. We are now fully switched over to North Star houses and hosted 58 pairs this season(2017). 60 compartments open for business and being so close to 100% occupancy, I believe we may expand housing offered next season. Expansion will continue contingent to high occupancy, being able to keep up on management and or until it starts to feel like work.
Hi Rob. Normally I get caught doing the same thing but am well prepared this year. I thought I had my S&S well in hand but wouldn't you know it, opened up one house and this morning a pair or starlings and 3 bull sparrows on that one. Oh well. Nests are prebuilt. Mudding complete. Just add Martins and continue deleting S&S. No more arrivals here. Hope you have a great season!