I am Moving

James Strickland FL · Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:49 am

Well I have made decision and I am leaving South Fla and go back home to North Carolina. It has been something that I have been thinking about for a few years. I wish to be around my family as they are getting older and I have been away for almost 40 years. I have the house up for sale at this point and with hope it will sell soon. I have been looking at property up there and the place I choose will be very Martin friendly. This is what I have told my Realtor to look for, open land with water and no "HOA". They have sent me some good looking properties, but I have not made a choose as of yet. I know that NC has a good population, but I will have to adjust to the different style of taking care of Martins in a much colder environment. I have really had a great time here and I can say that I had the largest colony down here and it will be sad to leave them. My friend next door ask me to please leave a a gourd pole and put it up in his yard so he can have Martins. That made me fill great and I told them that I would I put one in his yard and teach him what he needs to do to take care of them, so at least some of my martins will have a place to live when I leave. I know that starting over will be hard, but I have been through that before and with Gods help I will have them again up there and maybe have a Super Colony like Steve some day. I will keep you up to date and my progress as it unfolds.

Emil Pampell-Tx · Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:49 am

Great that you are moving back home. I moved twice after having martins, and it can be a challenge to get them at the new location, but with your experience and housing, it will probably be very easy. I certainly do wish you the best of luck!

James Strickland FL · Wed Nov 23, 2016 2:23 pm

Thanks Emil and I am looking forward to get there and start the adventure.

Steve Kroenke · Wed Nov 23, 2016 2:59 pm

Hey James,

I wish you the best in your move to North Carolina! I remember traveling through North Carolina many years ago and seeing a lot of purple martin colonies. I have been hiking, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting in the Smoky Mountains in western North Carolina. Beautiful country!

After living about 53 years in the Tallahassee, Florida area I made the move to northwest Louisiana and to purple martin paradise! So moving to a new location can sometimes really pay off if you are trying to establish a martin colony.

I am really happy that your neighbor will maintain some of your martin housing for your returning martins. You established a thriving martin colony in south Florida and I know it is hard leaving them.

We will be looking forward to reading your posts about your new location and your martin colony! Thanks for being such a devoted martin landlord and taking such good care of your martins!

Steve

taxidermy lady · Wed Nov 23, 2016 4:15 pm

Good luck James! You know all of us will be thinking about you and getting a new colony started! Wishing you the best!

James Strickland FL · Wed Nov 23, 2016 5:02 pm

Thanks Steve and Taxidermy Lady,

I remember Steve when you retired and moved to LA. I am really looking forward to being around my family and I am looking at a nice 6 ac farm with lots of lakes around and open fields near me. I think I have found the place and it looks great from the Google Map. Who know maybe I will have the larges colony in NC one day if the good lords lets me. I just do not know if leaving that far out will seem to isolated, but I am really think it will be worth trying. I may get me a few farm animals.

~Ray~Gingerich · Fri Nov 25, 2016 10:52 am

James, sound perfect, Good Luck

Jose Rodriguez · Fri Nov 25, 2016 11:37 am

Oh no! Florida is loosing an awesome landlord and NC is gaining one!

Sorry to hear you're moving! Glad to still be able to hear from you at your new location! Best wishes to you and your family James. Please keep us posted.

pmartinlover2 · Fri Nov 25, 2016 10:36 pm

What a surprise, James! It'd be hard to leave your beautiful location in FL but being close to family is the best! Sounds like you'll have another beautiful and scenic spot in NC. Good luck,,,I'm sure the martins will find you!
_____
Jody

MamaBruff · Sat Nov 26, 2016 1:38 pm

Best wishes on your relocation! I have always enjoyed your posts. Now they will be from NC. Maybe you can get your family involved in Martineering too

! Keep your Beak up and you will do fine! Please keep us posted.

James Strickland FL · Sun Nov 27, 2016 3:31 pm

Thanks for the best wishes. I am looking at some properties as I speak. The property will have to be for the Martins and after years of reading and have martins here I think I know what to look for. I am not going to just buy a place. If I have to rent for a little while I will, until I find the right location. The main site will have to have water, water and water near with wide open fields for them. I am also looking to have blue birds and hopefully a few barnies. I not sure about the Tree swallows. I read on here how to deal with them around Martin Housing.

Anthony Neira · Tue Nov 29, 2016 4:27 pm

Best to you & your family James, When you build it, they will come ! PMs know !

avesrun · Tue Nov 29, 2016 8:30 pm

Best of luck James! Sometimes martin doors have to close and new martin doors open for a good cause! Way to keep your priorities in order!
TimG

Dave Reynolds · Tue Nov 29, 2016 9:21 pm

James --- Best of luck to you and yours on your move ... I'm sure things will work out .. now that you know what the Martins are looking for.. I'm sure you will pick out a great spot to try and start a new colony... Take care of yourself and keep us informed on how things are going... Keep on posting,,, your stories are always a good read...

Dave

James Strickland FL · Thu Dec 01, 2016 8:48 am

Well the house sold and now the new adventure has started. I have my Realtor working hard. Hope to be up and running by Feb and hoping for the Martins. I will keep everyone up to date as time passes.

John Evans · Thu Dec 08, 2016 1:20 pm

Best of luck James, hopeful you can find suitable property for you and martins..

James Strickland FL · Fri Dec 09, 2016 4:16 pm

John,

That is the number one item on the list. The property has to be GREAT for Martins or I will not buy it.

Courtney-NC · Fri Dec 09, 2016 10:18 pm

Hi James! I'm happy to hear that an experienced and successful martin caretaker such as yourself is moving here to NC! Let us know where and when you get settled. Perhaps you can come meet some of us at a future NC Purple Martin Society meeting!

Rodger Drye · Sun Dec 11, 2016 12:19 am

James,
Welcome to North Carolina.! I'm very pleased to hear that you have decided to move back here.! I didn't know this was your original home. I know that you had a large Colony in Fla. and I hope you will be able to have another large Colony here.!!
Courtney lives up closer to Raleigh,NC and I live closer to Charlotte, NC. Let us know where you relocate and I will try to visit you on occasion. Would Love to talk Martin's with you.!!
I'm sure that your experience with Purple Martin's can only offer a rewarding presence for this State of North Carolina.!
So glad you are here - if I can ever be of assistance or help to you in any way please do not hesitate to let me know.!!!
I will be glad to give you my address & phone number if you want it ... I will give you my E-Mail address now, if you want to contact me. Dryerodger7777@yahoo.com
Hope to hear from your soon.!!
Rodger

James Strickland FL · Thu Dec 15, 2016 1:36 pm

Hi Courtney and Roger,

I am looking to move near Reidsville which near Greensboro. I am hoping to be there in early January. I have a Realtor and I told here what I am looking for and it all deals with Martins. Yes I grew up there and not been there to live in 37 years.

Thanks for Welcoming me home. I just hope that there is a large population in Rockingham County so I can get birds next year. I hope to reach 100 pair at the new place and it will take years, but I am looking forward to the challenge. Please once I get settled, do come by and I would love to see you colony also.