On my fourth year of trying I have at least 7 pair staying the night. it may be more they are getting hard to count. They must have been displaced because at least five males are ASY and 3 to 4 females are ASY. After 3 years of lookers I have been reluctant to say anything til now since I was trying to not get my hopes up too soon but nests are well under way and I am thoroughly excited.
I believe some credit went to the mirrors I used since that was the same gourd the first pair spent the night in. That's right they spent the night in the gourd with the mirror. Ha
I don't see how there was room because it was mounted on a small board.
Either way I wanted to share with everyone. Keep trying it will and does happen when you least expect it.
Shawn
May be leaving the Wannabe list
Congrats Shawn,wow 7 pair you have a lot to be excited about. I would have been over the top if I had that many my first year of hosting martins! Have a great year!
2007 2 pair 8 fledged
2008 4 pair 18 fledged
2009 21 pair 87 fledged
2010 44 pair 174 fledged
2011 68 pair 244 fledged
2012 82 pair 364 fledged
2013 82 pair 359 fledged
2014 86 pair 415 fledged
2015 101 pair 427 fledged
2008 4 pair 18 fledged
2009 21 pair 87 fledged
2010 44 pair 174 fledged
2011 68 pair 244 fledged
2012 82 pair 364 fledged
2013 82 pair 359 fledged
2014 86 pair 415 fledged
2015 101 pair 427 fledged
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Mitch Booth
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:23 am
- Location: Akron, OH
- Martin Colony History: 2012 - 0
2013 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 2 fledged
2014 - 0
2015 - 1 pair, 5 died during week of rain
2016 - 0
2017 - 1 pair, 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2018 - 4 pair, 19 eggs, 19 fledged
2019 - 7 pair
2020 - 17 pair
Wow good for you Shawn!!!
I had a couple adult birds here for a few days mid April and then had 7 or 8 here the next morning and haven't seen a bird since.
I'm to the point where I'm losing some interest but maybe that is a good thing. Things seem to happen when you least expect it.
What area are you in?
Mitch
I had a couple adult birds here for a few days mid April and then had 7 or 8 here the next morning and haven't seen a bird since.
I'm to the point where I'm losing some interest but maybe that is a good thing. Things seem to happen when you least expect it.
What area are you in?
Mitch
Last edited by Mitch Booth on Sun May 15, 2016 1:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2020 - 17 pair 77 eggs 69 fledged
2019 - 7 pair
2018 - 4 pair 19 eggs, 19 fledged
2017 - 1 pair 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2016 - 0 only visits
2015 - 1 pair 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 dead on days 6-7
2014 - 0 only visits
2013 - 1 pair 3 eggs, 2 hatched, 2 fledged
2012 - 0
2019 - 7 pair
2018 - 4 pair 19 eggs, 19 fledged
2017 - 1 pair 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2016 - 0 only visits
2015 - 1 pair 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 dead on days 6-7
2014 - 0 only visits
2013 - 1 pair 3 eggs, 2 hatched, 2 fledged
2012 - 0
Congrats. Hope you have good luck with your martins.
2014 1 pair,5 eggs,5 hatched & fledged
2015 9 pair, 43 eggs, 41 hatched & fledged
2016 Bad year 9 pair died after laying eggs
2017 rebuilding year, 15 nests with 53 hatched and fledged
2018 28 gourds,22 occupied,112 eggs
2020 28 gourds, 27 occupied, 87 eggs
PMCA Member
2015 9 pair, 43 eggs, 41 hatched & fledged
2016 Bad year 9 pair died after laying eggs
2017 rebuilding year, 15 nests with 53 hatched and fledged
2018 28 gourds,22 occupied,112 eggs
2020 28 gourds, 27 occupied, 87 eggs
PMCA Member
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Henry Limpet
- Posts: 122
- Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:48 pm
- Location: IN./Howe, via the s/w side of Chicago
- Martin Colony History: Trendsetter-8. Set up in 2014 at my summer cottage, a beautiful natural inland lake in N.E. Indiana's Amish Country. T-8 is on cleared land behind my pole barn and adjacent to a farmer's field
2015: Had several flyovers in early June with 1 dedicated SYM visitor who visited each day for well over a month. He brought by a few PM "parades", with 8-12 PM's who would visit all at once, but soon leave. (Added 2 gourds to bottom of the T-8). We discovered a large (Amish) colony apx. 3/4 mile South of our T-8. We think this will eventually be our "feeder" colony.
2016: Put up a Trio G'Pa lakeside. Overall, not as much interest as 2015, likely because of our vacation to Gulf Shores, AL. in early June.
2017: Finally switched over to wheat straw. Success!! One nesting pair. Fledged 4!
2018: Zilch.
2019: Slow start, nothing observed by mid June. Wet, cold Spring a factor??
2020: Barely any sightings.
2021: Several observed high in the sky, eating. No interest so far!
Congratulations, Hoosier! I haven't tried mirrors, but will now! Those go on the ceiling, right? 
Er, um......I mean looking back outward from the entry hole I presume?
Er, um......I mean looking back outward from the entry hole I presume?Be careful how you wish . . for wishes can come true . . be sure that every wish you make is one that's right for you!
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
MAYBE!!! I WOULD THINK YOU'VE GRADUATED!!!! CONGRATS WITH A BIG 
Last edited by taxidermy lady on Sun May 15, 2016 2:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sharon from southern Illinois
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Okie
- Posts: 541
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:26 pm
- Location: Claremore, OK
- Martin Colony History: 2016 Informed landlord now Have 2 pair returning from 2015 That is a miracle. Hoping for a very successful year, sparrow population on decline.
First house was plastic with crescent holes Had martins within a few days. Ignorant landlord gradually lost them
Then got Trio House and still lost most of them. Lots of sparrows
Congratulations That is thrilling Keep posting to encourage the wanna be's
I am rooting for all of you.
I have only 2 pair this year so I am hoping er planning on more next year.
Send pics please
Okie
I am rooting for all of you.
I have only 2 pair this year so I am hoping er planning on more next year.
Send pics please
Okie
Okie
PMCA member
2016 Started with 2 pair, 1 pair abandoned after HOSP destroyed eggs
1 pair= 6 eggs, 6 fledged
2017 1 pair so far, But they abandoned before nest complete for ?reason? Now Bridless and joined the Wannabes
2018 One pair ASY male SY female 5 eggs, 5 fledged
PMCA member
2016 Started with 2 pair, 1 pair abandoned after HOSP destroyed eggs
1 pair= 6 eggs, 6 fledged
2017 1 pair so far, But they abandoned before nest complete for ?reason? Now Bridless and joined the Wannabes
2018 One pair ASY male SY female 5 eggs, 5 fledged
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Jose Rodriguez
- Posts: 692
- Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:34 am
- Location: FL/Belleview
Congratulations! They like your site! Reassure them that you are there for them and are doing everything you possibly can to keep them safe, and they will return next season! Congrats Graduate!
PMCA Member
"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
Thanks you all for the warm well wishes.
Lynn, Oh believe me I have been over the top. If I could run like I used to and new how to do cart wheels ... well maybe I would . LOL
Mitch,
I'm in Southwestern, Indiana just west of Owensville.
Henry,
I just used little 2" round compact mirrors. Placed them about 2-3 inches back from the opening. That first day that ASY pair stayed all day long and I watched them go into the gourd with the mirror for the night. I finally went into the house but was still worried about whether they were really still in there.' I quietly went back out and could still here them talking. I was so excited.
Again thank you all and to those don't give up. You never know when one is stopping by.
I truly believe the longer your site is there the more exposure it keeps getting over time with that comes some sense of reassurance to them it is safe.
Shawn
Lynn, Oh believe me I have been over the top. If I could run like I used to and new how to do cart wheels ... well maybe I would . LOL
Mitch,
I'm in Southwestern, Indiana just west of Owensville.
Henry,
I just used little 2" round compact mirrors. Placed them about 2-3 inches back from the opening. That first day that ASY pair stayed all day long and I watched them go into the gourd with the mirror for the night. I finally went into the house but was still worried about whether they were really still in there.' I quietly went back out and could still here them talking. I was so excited.
Again thank you all and to those don't give up. You never know when one is stopping by.
I truly believe the longer your site is there the more exposure it keeps getting over time with that comes some sense of reassurance to them it is safe.
Shawn
2013 - 0
2014 - 0 Some lookers but no takers
2015 - three males attempted attracting a mate 1 ASY and 2 SY
2016 - became a landlord with 14 pair
2017 - 36 pr
2018 - 52 pr
2019 - 54 pr
2014 - 0 Some lookers but no takers
2015 - three males attempted attracting a mate 1 ASY and 2 SY
2016 - became a landlord with 14 pair
2017 - 36 pr
2018 - 52 pr
2019 - 54 pr
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marcus
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 10:21 pm
- Location: Fairland OK
- Martin Colony History: Mom n Dad had a plastic 12 unit martin house with some martins as long as I can remember. In 2013 they had 1 pair. I don't think they fledged any. I then started learning how to take care of martins and in 2014 we took that house down and put up a Troyer 18 gourd rack. We had 7 pair with 28 fledged.That summer I built a T-14 (I was only 12). I was also given 4 natural gourds that I hung beneath the T-14. In 2015, we had 23 pair although only 22 pair fledged young. They fledged 88 young. In 2016, we had 36 pair, 210 eggs, 163 hatched, 149 fledge!! One pair fledged 2 broods. In 2017, I had 36 pair with 35 fledging young. They laid 204 eggs, hatched 155, and fledged 152.
Way to go!!!!!!! Hope your colony does well for you.
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terriergal
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:41 pm
- Location: MN/Hutchinson
ShawnK wrote:On my fourth year of trying I have at least 7 pair staying the night. it may be more they are getting hard to count. They must have been displaced because at least five males are ASY and 3 to 4 females are ASY. After 3 years of lookers I have been reluctant to say anything til now since I was trying to not get my hopes up too soon but nests are well under way and I am thoroughly excited.
WOW 
That is awesome! Congrats!
Paula in MN
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MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
And just like that, it happens! Congratulations! You may move your tassel to the other side of your graduation cap now. Your diploma is actually homework now, keep track of things with the Data Sheet ?Nestwatch? and report your findings to PMCA at season's end. Try to do a daily walk around under the housing so they get used to you. Check your predator guard and snake netting. This will come in handy when it's nestling time and so forth; look at ground for "fallout"... Happy Landlording, Graduate! Now the fretting really begins. In a good way of course! WHEE!
In a good way of course! WHEE!~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
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avesrun
- Posts: 1127
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:10 pm
- Location: Iowa/West Des Moines
- Martin Colony History: Home Site: 2017- 0
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
Satellite Site: 2017 (3rd season)
34 pair
Fledged- 102
Graduating with honors you are! Congratulations and best of remaining season to you and your martins!
TimG
TimG
PMCA Member
Home Site: 2012-15 visitors
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
2017-18 Zero
2019- 3 Successful Pr
2020- 21pr, fledged 76
Satellite Site: 2014 - visitors
2015 - 2 pair fledged 9
2016 - 13 pair fledged 44
2017 - 31 pair fledged 118
2018 - 44 pair 163 fledged
2019- 49 pr 219 fledged
2020- 47 pr 209 fledged
Home Site: 2012-15 visitors
2016 - 1st pair, fledged 5
2017-18 Zero
2019- 3 Successful Pr
2020- 21pr, fledged 76
Satellite Site: 2014 - visitors
2015 - 2 pair fledged 9
2016 - 13 pair fledged 44
2017 - 31 pair fledged 118
2018 - 44 pair 163 fledged
2019- 49 pr 219 fledged
2020- 47 pr 209 fledged
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Carlton
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 6:42 pm
- Location: Florida/Deerfield Beach
- Martin Colony History: I moved to South Florida, from Delaware, in August of 2015.
I care for a 6 condo Sunset House as well as two Deluxe Gourd Racks, with 24 Chirpynest/Excluder gourds, along a canal in Pompano Beach, Florida.
At Quiet Waters Park, nearby in Deerfield Beach, I care for a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 TVG's. I also care for a Deluxe Gourd rack with 12 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder entrances. I am substituting 6 Chirpynest boxes for 6 of the Conley II entranced gourds in 2026.
At another local park, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, I care for a Trendsetter 12, 5 gourds rack with 60 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder Entrances and 1 Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 Troyer Vertical Gourds with Starling Stoppers over the Conley II's to keep out smaller starlings.
I have my fingers crossed. SOUNDS good though. Very good.