No PMs
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Phil Richer
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:54 pm
- Location: Florida/Lake City
We have had some success over the years but this year we haven't even seen one yet. There are several other martin houses in the neighborhood and I have yet to see any around them either. Can anyone suggest a reason?
Phil & Pat Richer, retired -
(except for the grand kids and the PMs)
(except for the grand kids and the PMs)
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apundt-TX
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:34 pm
- Location: Pflugerville, Texas
- Martin Colony History: :
2022-1 pair
1 pair 2021
2020- Didn't get setup fast enough in Pflugerville
2019- Apartment
2018 Divorce lost Colony in Dripping Springs
19 pair 2017
17 pair 2015
12 pair 2014
8 pair 2013
5 pair 2012
2 pair 2011
I had the same scenario last week.
I finally took a vacation this weekend and they were there when I came back. Like the saying goes"A watched pot never boils"
Good luck this season. The will arrive soon.
A.P.
I finally took a vacation this weekend and they were there when I came back. Like the saying goes"A watched pot never boils"
Good luck this season. The will arrive soon.
A.P.
PMCA member
racks:CUE AAA-16, PMCA Multipurpose pole , S&K EZ-Lift, Lonestar/Songbird Essentials, CUE 12 gourd rack
gourds: S&K gourds, Supergourds, Troyer horizontals, Naturalines, few naturals
housing: S&K great 8, TRIO M12K, Coates/BirdsChoice 8 room wateresdge
racks:CUE AAA-16, PMCA Multipurpose pole , S&K EZ-Lift, Lonestar/Songbird Essentials, CUE 12 gourd rack
gourds: S&K gourds, Supergourds, Troyer horizontals, Naturalines, few naturals
housing: S&K great 8, TRIO M12K, Coates/BirdsChoice 8 room wateresdge
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Carlton
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 6:42 pm
- Location: Florida/Deerfield Beach
- Martin Colony History: I moved to South Florida, from Delaware, in August of 2015.
I care for a 6 condo Sunset House as well as two Deluxe Gourd Racks, with 24 Chirpynest/Excluder gourds, along a canal in Pompano Beach, Florida.
At Quiet Waters Park, nearby in Deerfield Beach, I care for a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 TVG's. I also care for a Deluxe Gourd rack with 12 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder entrances. I am substituting 6 Chirpynest boxes for 6 of the Conley II entranced gourds in 2026.
At another local park, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, I care for a Trendsetter 12, 5 gourds rack with 60 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder Entrances and 1 Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 Troyer Vertical Gourds with Starling Stoppers over the Conley II's to keep out smaller starlings.
They are later this year at least at my site here in Pompano Beach, FL. I had a big influx arrive the other night.
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LoneOakMartins
- Posts: 166
- Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2011 12:05 pm
- Location: Lone Oak, TX
I'm having a strange year as well. Not seeing the number of martins we usually do.
2014 - 50 pair, 206 eggs, 179 fledge
2013 - 36 pair, 176 eggs, 148 fledge
2012 - 8 pair, 21 eggs, 15 fledge
2011 - 6 pair, 15 eggs, 11 fledge
2013 - 36 pair, 176 eggs, 148 fledge
2012 - 8 pair, 21 eggs, 15 fledge
2011 - 6 pair, 15 eggs, 11 fledge
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Phil Richer
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 12:54 pm
- Location: Florida/Lake City
I'm hoping that they are just late. I was looking at the scout reports and they seem to have just passed us up. Used to live in Lighthouse Point.Carlton wrote:They are later this year at least at my site here in Pompano Beach, FL. I had a big influx arrive the other night.
Phil & Pat Richer, retired -
(except for the grand kids and the PMs)
(except for the grand kids and the PMs)
Hi All,
What amuses me, the pattern or lack there of the birds follow. One would think the most southern stated would see birds first because the overnight/day temperatures and therefore plenty of food. As the weather get warmer would be normal to see them moving northward.. I guess I should quit try to understand it the birdbrains. Really.. I should know better after raising and racing homing pigeons for better part of my life. Since the feed prices doubled I just quit. It is to expensive sport for retired fellow. This is my second year I'm trying to attract some, sofar I haven't see a thing in my neck of the woods..
What amuses me, the pattern or lack there of the birds follow. One would think the most southern stated would see birds first because the overnight/day temperatures and therefore plenty of food. As the weather get warmer would be normal to see them moving northward.. I guess I should quit try to understand it the birdbrains. Really.. I should know better after raising and racing homing pigeons for better part of my life. Since the feed prices doubled I just quit. It is to expensive sport for retired fellow. This is my second year I'm trying to attract some, sofar I haven't see a thing in my neck of the woods..
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Banding studies have found that age plays a significant role in returns - a 6 yr old martin could reach a northern state before a 1 yr old martin reaches a southern state, for example.
Scout arrival reports coming into the PMCA still include adult birds in FL, TX, and all points in between, while at the same time, adults are reaching IL, MO, KS, NC, VA, etc.
For Phil and other landlords who have noted their sites are dwindling instead of growing, a good checklist to consult is here: http://www.purplemartin.org/main/toptwelve.html
Sites without pole guards could have lost birds to snakes or raccoons. Without nest checks to help gauge how well the martins are doing each season, it can be hard to figure out why martin numbers are dropping at a site. Heat and drought have played a role the past two summers in several states.
Here's another good article: http://purplemartin.org/update/10%282%29justus.html
Scout arrival reports coming into the PMCA still include adult birds in FL, TX, and all points in between, while at the same time, adults are reaching IL, MO, KS, NC, VA, etc.
For Phil and other landlords who have noted their sites are dwindling instead of growing, a good checklist to consult is here: http://www.purplemartin.org/main/toptwelve.html
Sites without pole guards could have lost birds to snakes or raccoons. Without nest checks to help gauge how well the martins are doing each season, it can be hard to figure out why martin numbers are dropping at a site. Heat and drought have played a role the past two summers in several states.
Here's another good article: http://purplemartin.org/update/10%282%29justus.html
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Carlton
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 6:42 pm
- Location: Florida/Deerfield Beach
- Martin Colony History: I moved to South Florida, from Delaware, in August of 2015.
I care for a 6 condo Sunset House as well as two Deluxe Gourd Racks, with 24 Chirpynest/Excluder gourds, along a canal in Pompano Beach, Florida.
At Quiet Waters Park, nearby in Deerfield Beach, I care for a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 TVG's. I also care for a Deluxe Gourd rack with 12 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder entrances. I am substituting 6 Chirpynest boxes for 6 of the Conley II entranced gourds in 2026.
At another local park, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, I care for a Trendsetter 12, 5 gourds rack with 60 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder Entrances and 1 Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 Troyer Vertical Gourds with Starling Stoppers over the Conley II's to keep out smaller starlings.
I know that A LOT of people in the MD and DE region had a horrible year last year losing a large percentage of the young to the hellish heat and humidity. No breeze. Of course that would not affect the ASY's. We shall see what the crop of SY's looks like over the next couple months.
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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.
Phil,
I will suggest a reason for you..
You had six pairs and it sounds like you are getting late nesters there. Perhaps they are overflow from the "kings seat site" somewhere within 50 miles.
These birds are likely 2 yr olds and some subbies as it sounds like you had some non-nesters hanging too. As others have pointed out. The younger... the later. Your housing sounds good so your colony should prosper as a result.
However you can expect a later start by almost 3 weeks to a month. As your colony grows and matures we will soon see your scout report right up there with the other early birds.
My colony is in it's 4th year. I still may not have the first scout to the area but mine will now be right up there with the earlier arrivals as I have some 4-5 year olds now. The first few years I was a month behind everyone else.
They will come... be patient. As long as you are a good landlord and keep them safe they will continue to show, grow, and arrive a little earlier each year.
Doug
I will suggest a reason for you..
You had six pairs and it sounds like you are getting late nesters there. Perhaps they are overflow from the "kings seat site" somewhere within 50 miles.
These birds are likely 2 yr olds and some subbies as it sounds like you had some non-nesters hanging too. As others have pointed out. The younger... the later. Your housing sounds good so your colony should prosper as a result.
However you can expect a later start by almost 3 weeks to a month. As your colony grows and matures we will soon see your scout report right up there with the other early birds.
My colony is in it's 4th year. I still may not have the first scout to the area but mine will now be right up there with the earlier arrivals as I have some 4-5 year olds now. The first few years I was a month behind everyone else.
They will come... be patient. As long as you are a good landlord and keep them safe they will continue to show, grow, and arrive a little earlier each year.
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.