This A.M. an adult male with a silver and a white band was perched. Have not seen him before. If he stays will try to get a picture. I have reported bands before but don't know how I would read one on a Martin even with my scope.
Sue
Banded Martin
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KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
Sue, I go out in and park myself in the middle of my yard with my colony and take my binoculars and my spotting scope. Once I spot one with the binoculars, I zoom in with the spotting scope. The trick is to have the sun at your back, get as close as you can to the colony, get comfortable and ....be patient. 
It once took me 3 days to get a female's band read. On the other hand, I've read 3 bands within and hour too...you just never know....
It once took me 3 days to get a female's band read. On the other hand, I've read 3 bands within and hour too...you just never know....
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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Connie
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:05 pm
- Location: WALKER, LOUISIANA
- Martin Colony History: Had my site up to 22 gourds of which most (+/-3) stayed occupied.
Downsized to 17 gourds due to back surgeries. Had 14 families in 2017 but did not do nest checks due to health. Feeling better in 2018 and hoping for a good year.
Sue,Barrowdog wrote:This A.M. an adult male with a silver and a white band was perched. Have not seen him before. If he stays will try to get a picture. I have reported bands before but don't know how I would read one on a Martin even with my scope.
Sue
I read in one of the banding articles how they do that. They said the plug up the holes and when the martins come back with bugs for the babies they will wait on the perches for them to open them back up. Of course it's a little early for babies but maybe if the banded bird is still around at that time you can get a good read on the band.
I know not real helpful right now....but just in case you can't get it before then......
Connie