Let the Fun Begin--Huge subbie arrival

[John Barrow]

In Reply:

KC, I have sent you martins for the past two years. You are doing just fine on your own. If I had the ability to send any anywhere it would be to people who wait--and I have often prayed that they would find their way to them. Sometimes they do as they did to Jim Ray last year.

SarahBell, I am glad you got to see Port O'Connor and the large population of martins in that small town. I don't think you saw my colony from reading your posts and our messages and it is doing very well. The colony on Maple street belongs to Ed Adams who had the second arrival in our state this year. Down from him is the Schilling rack that started last year. I put the first rack on the front beach and have worked with many down there. This year I pulled my rack off of the beach and placed it at the Aermotor windmill co. ranch south of town where we are starting a big project to restore wetlands and coastal prairies and Petra Hockey replaced the rack on the front beach. The rest of her colony is across the street.

For over a decade I have worked to establish martins in Port O. I could have built my own super colony, and I am well over 50 pairs now, but my original goal was to build 10 colonies of 20+ pairs--a pretty amazing feat in a town of less than a 1000 permanent inhabitants. I have not accomplished that goal yet, but I know that at least 6 such colonies have been built. And I agree with you, as I drive around town. It is amazing to be able to drive around the small town and see martins nearly everywhere you go. Port O'Connor is a special place--and the many martins and great birding help make it so.

I'm glad you got to witness it. Not many folks do.

Bob, Corpus Christi is a great place to be located--at the juncture of the paths of eastern (Mississipi flyway) and western migration. No doubt many birds that pass through here are headed west. We will give you heads up as they come--but I really believe they will be coming in earnest for the next 5 or 6 weeks through here. The past 3 or 4 days would not dispell that opinion. Local landlords are seeing lots of martins pass through. May they find all of those who wait and want.

Jim, I agree. I think Stan has pictured an older band. But the new ones aren't any easier to read. I'll try to push you more birds. They are easier to watch.

Best wishes to all. May God bless you with martins. john

[Dale Hrncirik]

I should not be too hard to figure out the number.

Stan,

If the band was opened up like the one on the right photo...then you're right, it wouldn't be too hard to figure out the number. I've yet to see a band like that on a martin's leg

Dale

[Guest]

Like Dale pointed out the chances of seeing a flat band on a Pm are none existent. Hopefully it will give people that have never seen one close up a better idea what one is up against when trying to read one at 50 feet.

John , Received the the bands in the picture in 2004 and 2005. CWS probably has 5 years supply - we should be using that type for a while yet.

[Bob Buskas]

Thanks for your reply John, we have been banding Martins up here for a number of years now, but last year was our best. Hardy banded just under 2000 nestlings here in central Alberta last summer and we hope to repeat that again this year, the bands are a fish and wildlife silver band on the left leg, just so you know. Thanks again and I will be following your posts on migration.

[John Barrow]

Please send one SY male to Raleigh... One that is tough and willing... One that ain't scared of nothing...One that a female will find hard to resist...ONE JUST LIKE THIS HOUSE FINCH THAT HAS FALLEN IN LOVE WITH MY COATES HOUSE. Send me one that is determined as I am...Send one that's ready to get the job done.

Al, it sounds as though that wish has been fulfilled-and an ASY to boot. Sub adults and some younger adults are arriving in regular and large numbers. We hope that "He" will get the job done much more significantly than you ever dreamed.

Have a great season. John and Louise from S. Texas

[bbillyc]

Generally speaking, does anyone know how far a PM will travel in a single day? Things are pretty quiet up here in Canada as I anxiously wait to see who returns this season.

[Al Denton]

I really hope he can get the ball rolling. Thanks very much John and Louise from S. Texas. Al

[oneidalaker]

John, thanks for the great news. I've got 4 ASY males (1st two arrived on the 11th0 and 2 ASY females so far. Hoping for more adults and some SY birds to keep the colony going. I've doubled the size of my offerings from 26 to 56 compartments. all spacious rooms with a lakeside view. Tried offering srickets for the first time this year but the martins just sit and watch the cricket sail by. So I put a bunch in a feeding tray (I amazed the crickets are still in it this morning, didn't jump out) and stuffed a few compartments that the martins were roosting in with crickets. Am throughly enjoying the season so far.
Bob