Thanks for all you did. Sorry the little one died. As much as I hate to say it, unfortunately, that happens sometimes. We're trying the best we can, and sometimes that's not enough.

Great news. Good Luck to you.

Wow, going all out. Nice work. Keep us posted as to how the season goes.Good Luck to you.

Yeah, I just use pine needles. Just a little bit. If you put a lot in there, they tend to just toss it back out, from what I've seen.

The wave must have reached all the way into northern SC, because I had my first ones this morning. two males and a female. Actually 4 days later than last year. Let the fun begin.

Jerry,

Early scouts (even returning birds from your colony from last year) can and will leave the site for hours and even days at a time. This is normal behavior. I wouldn't worry too much this early.

Good Luck with your season.

I wish I could find the study, I can't remember if it was in one of the PMCA magazines or somewhere else but it stated that on average you need to have 6 pair to ensure you will have returning birds the next year. As always with mother nature, something drastic could happen and wipe out a whole flo...

I got all my horizontals vented in the back too. Using a 3/4" (outside threads) to 1/2" (slick inside, for 1/2" pipe) PVC elbow for vent. Using two on each gourd. One side of the elbow has 3/4' threads (into the back of the gourd) The 1/2" end fits a 1/2 PVC pipe. So I made 1 1/2 " pipe pieces, stuc...

Regardless of the Facebook traffic, I think you'll get the answers you're after right here on this fine forum.

Great News. Let the fun begin

Robert, When they fledge the parents will take them out to a nearby tree or powerlines away from the housing to feed them but will bring them back to the cavity each night for about a week. They will hang around and preen in the morning with the adults and then the parents take them out. Fun to wat...

Yep. the preparation is very exiting. I hung up washed gourds yesterday. Retiring an old T14 and setting up a 3.rd Super 24 rack for a total of 72 gourds. Expecting them between the 15th and 20th of February. We will see what 2019 brings.

Thats great news. It'll be another 3 weeks or so before I see them up in the Pee Dee of SC.

Good news, Mitch. Hopefully your count will increase even more next year :-)

Mitch, You broke your streak! I think you are in there sir. Yep, I think so too. I'd like for him to see at least 2-3-4 more pair this season, so he'll have a better base for returns. Once he get the returns, he has a better chance of start building. It is amazing how 3-4 pair can pull in new birds...

From my experience there are basically two reasons why the babies jump prematurely: extreme heat or parasites (mites etc). Make sure to check your gourds for parasites, and if you have them, take measures to get rid of them. How you do that, is up to you. I will not recommend or get into any specifi...

Mitch,

I don't think you need to run a dawn song as long as you have martins staying. As mentioned, they do a much better job at dawn-singing. Don't settle for two yet! SY's are still on the hunt.

Congratulations. Great news for sure. Keep up the good work. It will pay off.

Jason, thats is great news. Keep track of them. Pay attention at sunset, and look for them coming back in for the night. If they do, that's even better news.

Wow! I've never thought of the chance that 2 birds could collide. I hope your PM is ok.

He sat in the tree for about an hour before he flew over on one of the racks .