Saw martin here today

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birdy girl
Posts: 1179
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:09 am
Location: Mississippi/Dumas

I saw a ASY male martin flying above our colony late today. Never landed on our racks. Could see him after he left our colony flying for a while above
nearby small colony that is few years older than our colony. Will be watching tomorrow and as much as I can for our first martin to arrive. Will post on scout report when I know for sure we have a permanent resident here:) This sighting is 2 days later than last year. Due to my work schedule, I don't have lot of time to gaze at the sky. Temps are looking good for here so I expect one of ours to be here soon.
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tonyg
Posts: 1520
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
Location: Olpe, KS
Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..

Congrats on your sighting of a Martin. The way I understand it is you report to the scout reports on the first Martin you see in your area... I could be wrong. But sounds like it won't be long for you.. :grin:
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
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birdy girl
Posts: 1179
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:09 am
Location: Mississippi/Dumas

I usually report when I see one sit on the gourd rack or our power line but it was definitely a martin. I think both ways are fine and I have reported when I have seen one flying around here in the past.
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JR4-AL
Posts: 74
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 11:55 am
Location: Alabama

Congrats on your new arrival. Mine showed up on Sunday, as well. Although I am not strictly convinced these are "my" birds. They seem to be roosting at my neighbor's but they have explored our gourds. I was wondering the same thing about the Scout Report. I assume that we should report the first PM we see, irrespective if they land, roost etc. It seems that visual eveidence alone is what the Scout Report is trying to collect. I may be wrong on this??? Maybe Louise can give us some guidance on this. Congrats again!
2011...1 pair
2012...2 pair
2013...9 pair/40eggs/25fledged
2014..14 pair/70eggs/57fledged
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Chuck4
Posts: 861
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
Location: North MS
Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.

2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).

An ASY male flew right over my housing this morning. He didn't land, and unfortunately I had to leave for work. I went ahead and made a scout report. I hope that was correct. Boy do I wish I could be home now to observe.... :-( I should also add that this is the earliest I have ever seen martins in my area!
PMCA Member
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sg45
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 9:24 pm
Location: Mississippi

you do a great raising your martins. i am sure the martins love you
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chickadee
Posts: 1128
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:02 pm
Location: ohio

I always report when I see one. Because I have heard they sometimes come during the day but still go rooste in near buy Martin rooste. And maybe won't stay till more martins get to the site or closer to nest time. So I think it's just to let people know when spotted in your state?
2008 1 pair
2009 3 pair
2010 7 pair
2011 20 pair
2012 44 pair 280 eggs 210 fledged
2013 67 pair.
2014 67pair
2015-2022 67 pair
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dsonyay
Posts: 1677
Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
Location: Louisiana/Broussard
Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.

2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)

2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.

2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged

2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(

2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.

2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.

chickadee wrote:I always report when I see one. Because I have heard they sometimes come during the day but still go rooste in near buy Martin rooste. And maybe won't stay till more martins get to the site or closer to nest time. So I think it's just to let people know when spotted in your state?
I do the same thing. When I see the first scout for the year, I report it.
I usually see scouts around my home anywhere from late Jan to mid Feb. My arrivals come mid March since I'm still rather new as a landlord.

First sightings make more sense to report as it gives others a heads up as to where they are being seen.

Remember this is a scout report. Not a report of your "returnees."
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