How long to hold my breath in SE PA?

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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!

He's a good looking guy Dan! If he doesn't find a mate maybe he'll come back as an ASY male next year for you and start your colony! Good luck! :)
Sharon from southern Illinois
ToyinPA
Posts: 2227
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
Location: PA/Avis
Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.

Dan G wrote:
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Here is my guy from this morning. As frustrating as it has been, I'm excited just to see one and wanted to show him off :grin: They truly are majestic, and they soar so effortlessly. It was such a fun few minutes. I hope if I ever get a colony started, that i dont take them for granted
He's a beauty Dan. I sure hope he comes back with a lady & takes up residence.

Toy in PA
PMCA Member
Dan G
Posts: 446
Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
Location: PA/Bellefonte
Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
2026- no pairs. One daily SYM here daily. Named him Riggs!

He was back in again this morning. He was checking out several cavities, on the T-14 and the gourd rack. I know he was checking outthe fake nest!! but i didnt see him go in any. So cool. And I'm at work.
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
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