Yippee! It's martin time again in Corpus Christi! :-) A friend was helping me fill and raise gourd rack at South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center here, about 10 minutes from home. As we raised the gourds - martins! Heard first, then saw 4, maybe 5, circling overhead & talking to us. I was busy tying off the rope so couldn't look too much or get photo, but what a delight. Hope our 'home' martins show up soon, too.
Lots more to do at the site yet, like replace one housing system with another gourd rack, but I feel like we're off to a good start, on this sunny day.
Purple Martins are back!
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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Whippy
- Posts: 1023
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 11:15 pm
- Location: Plano, Texas
- Martin Colony History: See Signature
That's good news.
I've been playing the dawn song most of the day every day since Friday last week upon returning from a trip. I think tomorrow I will see a Martin since the wind is out of the South and its predicted to be a bit warmer.
I'm only 7 hours north of you so it's looking good so far. Thank you for the report. As you can tell I am very optimistic so on top of your report I am even more so.
Coolwhips
I've been playing the dawn song most of the day every day since Friday last week upon returning from a trip. I think tomorrow I will see a Martin since the wind is out of the South and its predicted to be a bit warmer.
I'm only 7 hours north of you so it's looking good so far. Thank you for the report. As you can tell I am very optimistic so on top of your report I am even more so.
Coolwhips
2016 - many visitors
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
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MichaelH
- Posts: 586
- Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:10 am
- Location: IL/Gillespie
- Martin Colony History: 2015 28 cavities 2 pairs
2016 big upgrade 56cavities 16 pairs great year
2017. 76 cavities 36 pairs
2018. 146 cavities
That is fantastic news enjoy the birds and yours will be there soon hope you have a great season ,starting to get were I look at the scouts maps everyday enjoy
2018 146 cavities.
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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!
That’s great news for you Louise! They will be at your place soon! Goodluck! 
Sharon from southern Illinois
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-=DKC=-
- Posts: 356
- Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2017 2:26 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
- Martin Colony History: ................
2019: 11 pairs
2018: 11 pairs - 43 fledged
2017: 4 pairs - 17 fledged
Happy to hear they're in town! I raised my gourds last Thursday so I'm ready when they are.Louise Chambers wrote:Yippee! It's martin time again in Corpus Christi! :-) A friend was helping me fill and raise gourd rack at South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center here, about 10 minutes from home. As we raised the gourds - martins! Heard first, then saw 4, maybe 5, circling overhead & talking to us. I was busy tying off the rope so couldn't look too much or get photo, but what a delight. Hope our 'home' martins show up soon, too.
Lots more to do at the site yet, like replace one housing system with another gourd rack, but I feel like we're off to a good start, on this sunny day.
"If at first you don't succeed, keep on suckin' till you do succeed." - Curly Howard
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James Strickland FL
- Posts: 2249
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:04 pm
- Location: Reidsville NC
- Martin Colony History: 2017 Had a lot visitors no Matins nesting, hoping 2018 will be different.
2018 Had 1 pair
2019 had 30 pair
Way too go Louise. We have to wait another 6 weeks before they start arriving her 
e.PMCA MEMBER
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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 2442
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
- Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
- Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged
Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged
I'm sure each year is better then the one before... Just that first "chip" is all that it takes... Congrats 
Dave
Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio
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Dale D
- Posts: 329
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:11 am
- Location: Orlando, Fl
- Martin Colony History: Landlord since 2004
Glad to hear they are back in your area Louise. It's always exciting to see those 1st ones at the beginning of each season. Mine are 11 days late here in Orlando but, they should show up soon.Louise Chambers wrote:Yippee! It's martin time again in Corpus Christi! :-) A friend was helping me fill and raise gourd rack at South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center here, about 10 minutes from home. As we raised the gourds - martins! Heard first, then saw 4, maybe 5, circling overhead & talking to us. I was busy tying off the rope so couldn't look too much or get photo, but what a delight. Hope our 'home' martins show up soon, too.
Lots more to do at the site yet, like replace one housing system with another gourd rack, but I feel like we're off to a good start, on this sunny day.
Orlando, FL Landlord since 2004
Offer 42 Cavities Total
Offer 42 Cavities Total
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pmartinlover2
- Posts: 521
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:37 pm
- Location: IL/Hillsboro
- Martin Colony History: 2011 Home site--1 SY pair--2 fledged
2016 Satellite Site---4 pair--19 eggs laid--17 hatched--16 fledged
2017 Satellite Site--8 pair--37 eggs laid--34 hatched--34 fledged
2018 11 pair--fledged 60
2019 20 pair-fledged 94
2020 23pair-fledged 108
Great news Louise,,,even better when they arrive at your home site! Can’t wait to hear their chatter again. Hope you have a good martin season!
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Jody
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Jody
Jody in Central Illinois
Landlord in 2016
2016—4 pr fledged 16
2017—8 pr fledged 34
2018—11 pr fledged 60
Landlord in 2016
2016—4 pr fledged 16
2017—8 pr fledged 34
2018—11 pr fledged 60
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
Louise, oh boy! Martins in Corpus!! They must have been excited to see their humans busy making home-home again; great timing and here's to wishing you and the colony's you all have a busy, Martin packed season of 2018.
Tom
Tom
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
our first home martin showed up yesterday evening here in Corpus Christi - adult male settled into gourd for a good rest, John said he looked tired. He went off to feed this morning. He got here just ahead of a front, today is cooler and breezy, cloudy, but warm enough for feeding.
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
Great sight! Hope he starts recruiting, brings back many, many friends. Do you think he is one of your regular birds?
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
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cnevett27
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:40 am
- Location: Washington, MO
- Martin Colony History: Hosting martins for about 5-6 years, keeping records back to 2014. Using all gourds-horizonal Troyers and Excluders
2018 33 pair, 140 fledged
2017-25 pair, 106 fledged
2016 25 pair, 87 fledged
2015 24 pair, 70 fledged
2014 21 pair, 43 fledged
What a wonderful sound to hear again, Louise! We are still 6 weeks away and I am happy about that. I worry every spring about weather that does not cooperate for our dear babies.
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Sharon - Central TX
- Posts: 696
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:20 pm
- Location: Central TX
- Martin Colony History: All Troyer Horizontal Gourds with Conley Entrances
PMCA Member since 2004
Louise,
We had two show up today and they are spending the night. I just happened to be looking out the window that faces our gourd racks this afternoon and lo and behold saw one flying around. I jumped up so excited and yelled at my husband to hurry and open a few gourd entrances
. The little fella kept making passes all afternoon squawking loudly. He checked out the ones that were open then at his bedtime there were suddenly two and they went into the same gourd together.
This is really early for us. Last year they showed up on Valentines Day. I can’t help but think at least the first one is a returnee because there is other martin housing in our area but he came back so many times today like this is where he belonged.
I was so excited when I saw he had a friend .
Now the fun begins!!!
We had two show up today and they are spending the night. I just happened to be looking out the window that faces our gourd racks this afternoon and lo and behold saw one flying around. I jumped up so excited and yelled at my husband to hurry and open a few gourd entrances
. The little fella kept making passes all afternoon squawking loudly. He checked out the ones that were open then at his bedtime there were suddenly two and they went into the same gourd together.This is really early for us. Last year they showed up on Valentines Day. I can’t help but think at least the first one is a returnee because there is other martin housing in our area but he came back so many times today like this is where he belonged.
I was so excited when I saw he had a friend
. Now the fun begins!!!