Running late it seems.

[Whippy]

Last year my ASY Male arrived on March 7th. On March 8th the 2nd ASY Male arrived and set up camp in one of the other gourds. So I had two successful pairs with many SY visitors last year however, none of them have returned yet this year. I figured with such success they would be eager to return. Probably jumping the gun a bit with my concern being aided by the reports of Martins arriving in the area and further North.

There is an unkept house across the alley from me about 50 to 60 feet away that has had two pairs for the last 6 years or more. One pair returned on the 6th the other has not returned yet to my knowledge. I'm out of town and my wife doesn't know to look over there. She just tells me she hasn't seen ours yet.

There are a lot of Martins in our area of North Texas (Plano) as I have seen the reports and have seen the birds however, they are just not at my place yet.

Anyway. Expecting late arrivals for sure but am wondering if any of you have experienced late arrivals before specially when it seems there are very many early arrivals in your area and across the country.

This is like sitting around waiting for a 16 year old to come home after just getting his/her drivers license and driving out on his/her first date. Crazy. Just crazy.

Thanks,

Coolwhips

[pmlover]

its weird , some people are early in ohio others late

[Whippy]

I've just returned from a week long vacation and nothing has changed. My two successful pairs have not returned. Fearing the worst has happened to them. The one pair out of the normal two pair across the alley is still there but with no new birds in sight.

I'll begin the dawn song and decoy routine tomorrow and see what happens but still holding out for the two pair from last year.

Coolwhips

[flyin-lowe]

From a study I read on here years ago (just can't exactly remember where) they said that "statistically" you needed to have at least 6 pair to ensure at least some of them will survive the migration and make it back. Of course with statistics and mother nature anything can happen, but once you get 12 birds that leave your place some of them should make it back. It is frustrating getting over that hump. Good luck to you this season.

[Whippy]

From a study I read on here years ago (just can't exactly remember where) they said that "statistically" you needed to have at least 6 pair to ensure at least some of them will survive the migration and make it back. Of course with statistics and mother nature anything can happen, but once you get 12 birds that leave your place some of them should make it back. It is frustrating getting over that hump. Good luck to you this season.

I figured the odds were against having any return with only two pair but you gotta keep hope alive. I guess I got lucky last year when my first ASY male returned from the year before.

Thank you for the reply. I'll keep at it.

Coolwhips

[flyin-lowe]

If a study has ever been done I would love to see a breakdown especially from north to south. Being from further norther I have this picture in my mind that martins are everywhere down south. It would be interesting to see if the survival rate changes for northern landlords. Obviously they have an extra thousand or more miles each year but in the grand scheme of things that might not be enough to make a noticeable impact.

[PMDavid]

Hey whippy, somewhat the same here in central la. The neighbor had 8 Pr last year and so far he has two Pr and three ASY males. Compared to last year they are a month late. He says they are not all here ,but I feel the most of them have arrived as well as passed on through to the north . Still hoping for some SY subs to pass through and stop in. Hope urs are just really late and show up for you.

[John & Linda - KY]

Assuming last year was your first time to host martins, they were probably SY birds. From my experience the second year to nest they don't hurry back, so don't give up hope. They will come back a little earlier each year for several years, then stabilize their return time. -- John

[Whippy]

Assuming last year was your first time to host martins, they were probably SY birds. From my experience the second year to nest they don't hurry back, so don't give up hope. They will come back a little earlier each year for several years, then stabilize their return time. -- John

John,

Last year (2018) was my second year of hosting. Had a return of an ASY male from 2017 with an added ASY pair and both were successful. Had very many SY visitors throughout as well. Naturally I had great hopes fort his years expansion of numbers based on last years success.

All I can do now is keep waiting and watching.

Thank you for your input.

Coolwhips.

[John & Linda - KY]

Patience isn't my strong suit either. Our gourds are up and waiting, but I think it's better if they wait until the weather warms up more and stabilizes. -- John

[Whippy]

ASY Male finally arrived today and was going in and out of the gourd used last year. Had a female with him for a while but she beat it for now. She went into the gourd with him used last year then she went into a Troyer Horizontal, came out, and made a hasty retreat.

Perhaps numbers will increase this weekend and into next week.

Coolwhips

[Chris B]

My "fill rate" is terrible this year. Maybe they have wised up to the southern weather and just kept going up into the c old bomb vortex...??? The TS are OK for this nearly, no barnies yet, and the PMs just seem to come and go.

Maybe last year's death dangle disaster has scared them off.

[mwren]

Our area in southern Ohio has a couple of scout reports posted, and their are 3 posts farther north than my colony location, but no birds as yet around Athens. The weather and wind forecasts are indicating that we could see some birds anyday now! Trying not to worry .

Bird