WARMTH
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jpp77
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2017 9:21 pm
- Location: Lawrence, KS area
- Martin Colony History: 2015 - 1 pair, not successful (Sparrows)
2016 - 1 pair, 4 young
2017 - 5 pair, 23 young
2018 - 8 pair, 40 young, two deaths most likely due to heat.
2019 - 18 pair, 74 eggs, 1 nest abandoned, all the rest successful.
2020 - 32 nests, unknown exact egg numbers, 1 death.
I'm ready for some warmer weather. These cloudy mid 50's days here in Kansas are becoming old. My Martins aren't here yet (showed up April 7th last year) No sign of much warmer weather through next week. I sort of hope they show up a little later this year, or at least not earlier. Anyone now if things are on time this year?
In this area, it appears things are pretty much on time.
I can't be certain with my own lone male, because I'm not sure when he showed up in the area last year. He came here reasonably late last spring, so I've suspected that he may have lost his initial nesting site for some reason, and brought a female with him who was his mate already. I know that as of may 17 last year, they still had not nested.
This year, he showed up on Mar 8, which further reinforces my suspicions.
I know that the gentleman who lives a couple miles from here has had martins for at least a couple of weeks, because I drove over last week to take a look.
I have had baby martins fledging as late as July 4, the first time I had a nesting pair here.
I can't be certain with my own lone male, because I'm not sure when he showed up in the area last year. He came here reasonably late last spring, so I've suspected that he may have lost his initial nesting site for some reason, and brought a female with him who was his mate already. I know that as of may 17 last year, they still had not nested.
This year, he showed up on Mar 8, which further reinforces my suspicions.
I know that the gentleman who lives a couple miles from here has had martins for at least a couple of weeks, because I drove over last week to take a look.
I have had baby martins fledging as late as July 4, the first time I had a nesting pair here.
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Whippy
- Posts: 1023
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 11:15 pm
- Location: Plano, Texas
- Martin Colony History: See Signature
I'm in the same camp as Lizzie.
Usually by now I'll get anywhere from 5 to 15 Martins buzzing in and around my gourds however, I've not had that yet. My resident male returned around March 19th as thats when I saw him and his mate fly out of their gourd. The two pair across the alley are still there and, from time to time, I will have as much as 8 in my air space but no landings or investigating of cavities.
Seems a little slow or they really, really hate my yard.
Coolwhips
Usually by now I'll get anywhere from 5 to 15 Martins buzzing in and around my gourds however, I've not had that yet. My resident male returned around March 19th as thats when I saw him and his mate fly out of their gourd. The two pair across the alley are still there and, from time to time, I will have as much as 8 in my air space but no landings or investigating of cavities.
Seems a little slow or they really, really hate my yard.
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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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to daveduit@yahoo.com. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
I agree, lets get tis cold weather out of here. I have had a single ASY male for one week living off my scrambled eggs and crickets. I don't mind keeping him alive, but I wish either the weather got better or he gets a few friends soon. A week all by himself.
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Me too Dave!
Now it's slightly warmer but raining all day!
Doug
Now it's slightly warmer but raining all day!
Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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Kuemic
- Posts: 176
- Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 7:17 pm
- Location: Topeka, KS
- Martin Colony History: 2015 1 pair, 2 eggs destroyed by HOSP
2016 1 pair, 2 fledged, HOSP 46
2017 1 pair, 5 fledged, HOSP 14
2018 daily visitors, HOSP 12
2019 1 pair, 2 fledged, HOSP 14
2020 1pair, 5 fledged, HOSP 17
2021 2 pair, 7 fledged, HOSP 21
2022 3 pair, 12 fledged, HOSP 18
2023 8 pair, 35 fledged, HOSP 16
2024 13 pair, 55 fledged, HOSP 11
JPP77, Agree, can't wait for warmer days. My husband and I were out in the backyard today - taking advantage of the dry weather and I actually heard a martin, too cloudy to see it but I'm encouraged! Our first arrival was April 6 last year, close to your time frame. Good luck this year...will be checking scout reports!
Michelle in Topeka
I'm in the same situation as Dave except I have a pair here and have been feeding crickets and eggs for six days. I'm wondering how long can they thrive on only crickets and eggs. Forecast looks pretty dismal here, so I guess were about to find out. Will be using handwarmers again soon.
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handyman315
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 11:03 am
- Location: SW Ohio
- Martin Colony History: Colony established May 20, 2017 after three unsuccessful years. Persistent and aggressive Tree Swallows plagued the site, but beyond learning - and practicing - to control them, was the return in 2017 of a 2016-SY-M previously unable to find a mate. As a handsome ASY-M, he brought along two females and a swagger that soon put the Tree Swallow issue to rest. As the anchor pair, he and his mate hatched all six of their eggs into fat and healthy babies into what settled in to be a three-pair, flourishing new colony with up to 11 birds total, including 3 SY-M trouble makers.
Here in SW Ohio slightly warmer than the snowy days last week, but now raining and/or misting rain virtually all day. Even opening Reds day (today) has been postponed.
Have neither seen nor heard my first Martin this season, no Tree Swallows either. There have been some scattered Scout reports all around me, one as close as 10 miles, but nothing here, and I've been watching, with my housing up but closed.
Have a supply of hand warmers in case my PMs show up; a low of 31 predicted for this weekend. Will try hand feeding although my PMs have previously looked at me like I was stupid when flipping at them . . . admittedly, it was not this cold and rainy when trying.
As a newbie landlord - this will only be my second nesting season - I'm anxious about arrivals and don't know what to expect.
Good luck to us all!
Have neither seen nor heard my first Martin this season, no Tree Swallows either. There have been some scattered Scout reports all around me, one as close as 10 miles, but nothing here, and I've been watching, with my housing up but closed.
Have a supply of hand warmers in case my PMs show up; a low of 31 predicted for this weekend. Will try hand feeding although my PMs have previously looked at me like I was stupid when flipping at them . . . admittedly, it was not this cold and rainy when trying.
As a newbie landlord - this will only be my second nesting season - I'm anxious about arrivals and don't know what to expect.
Good luck to us all!
2023-42 Nests, 197 Eggs/Babies
2022-48 Nests Fledged 203
2021-43 Nests Fledged 185
2020-31 Nests Fledged 133, three early deaths due to cold & rain
2019-19 Nests Fledged 84
2018-11 Nests Fledged 48, ASY-M Arrived April 6, Despite Snow & Cold, Joined Soon by Mate & Two Adult Pairs
2017-3 Nests Fledged 13, FIRST-YEAR LANDLORD! Resident SY-M from 2016 Returned (as ASY-M) on May 20. At Least 11 Adult Residents
2016 Late-Arriving SYs, Resident Lone SY-M
2015-14 Many Visits
2022-48 Nests Fledged 203
2021-43 Nests Fledged 185
2020-31 Nests Fledged 133, three early deaths due to cold & rain
2019-19 Nests Fledged 84
2018-11 Nests Fledged 48, ASY-M Arrived April 6, Despite Snow & Cold, Joined Soon by Mate & Two Adult Pairs
2017-3 Nests Fledged 13, FIRST-YEAR LANDLORD! Resident SY-M from 2016 Returned (as ASY-M) on May 20. At Least 11 Adult Residents
2016 Late-Arriving SYs, Resident Lone SY-M
2015-14 Many Visits
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to daveduit@yahoo.com. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
I built a "heating box" that slides between the back ends of metal houses. Each compartment has a two inch vent for air flow and the ceramic reptile heating element heating box dissipates radiant heat to each compartment and keeps it at a good temp for the martins. Even with the heating issue and supplement feeding, I wonder how long they can keep going on artificial heat and food that is not normally on their diet. I can see how eggs and crickets can stave off hunger, but how long is too long. We are looking at another week of cold nights and gloomy weather. He has already been in the cold wet weather for a week here in central Iowa. It is my way of saying, enough of this darn weather. I can understand an occasional wet cold day in March / April; but it is trying on landlords to endure WEEKS of cold and rain and gloom. Maybe it is us landlords that are feeling the effects more than our martins. What really turns my crank is when the weather was bright sunny low wind and temps in the 60s a week before they arrive. I guess mother nature likes to test the spirit of all of us. I hope to post some pics once I take down the heating box after the temps rise into the 70s during the day and share them here with everyone. Maybe it will be a new winter project for those hobbyists landlords.
Dave, I was going to ask about that heating box. I've never heard of something like this being done before. Good for you! I bet your purple martins love you for it! I look forward to seeing the pictures of it one day.
Billie from southern Wisconsin