Kansas landlords--slow migration?

[cchild03]

For those who have birds back, does it seem like they're coming in slower than normal? I had about 26 pairs last year, and only one of those pairs was SY. This year, I had three come back together as first arrivals. That's normal. The next morning I was up to 9.

But a week later, I still have only 9. In the past it seemed like 2-3 new birds would show up every evening but that hasn't been happening this year. Maybe these cold spells still have everything out of whack. With the warm weekend and strong southern breezes, I'm hoping the rest of their crew will start streaming in.

[johnnycoon]

I had four pairs last year and not one has showed up yet ....im worried

[DebA]

Me three. CCchild...do you have 9 pair or individuals back? I would be ecstatic with 9 birds. This is my 5th year and my history is:

2009 1 ASY pair
2010 2 pair
2011 4 pair 1st arrival 4/2
2012 6 pair 1st arrival 3/15
2013 2 pair all arrived 3/27....none since but weather bad this past week.

Dorn County encoraged me that as John Barrow in Corpus Christi reported recently more adults are arriving still. This slow exit stage left of winter has no doubt contributed. I'm like you longing for more!

Jcoons...what county are you from or what geographical area?

Deb

[Brad-AL]

It's been too cold, for too long. They're just slowed down because of that. Don't worry. What good would that do anyway? The high way down here in the land of cotton was only 42 degrees yesterday.

[GeneP]

Nothing for me yet. I've seen some flyovers on warm days but no landings.

Other colonies that I watch have just been getting their birds back. There were some very early arrivals but I don't know how many. I suspect that most of us are running behind last years times. It was unusually warm last season and the opposite this year.

Let's see what happens during the next couple of warm days. Here's to hoping.

[CraigMo.]

Candace you will fill up tomorrow . They will be riding in on the wind.

[DornCounty]

Yes I am seeing a slow migration.

has 6 pairs at home last season... only 3 asy Males now.. the female left.

In the town colony of 40 houses I would estimate we had 200 birds last season. Probably only 40 or 50 right now.

So either a slow migration or a ton of birds were lost.

[JL Murray]

Kansas Martins appear to be wiser than some of our Missouri Martins were for waiting longer to arrive than ours did!

[DebA]

I wasn't going to go there, JL. Ha! You said it though.

Johnnycoons...nevermind my geography question...I see the "st" with marys now.

[aarosport]

Mine showed up a week ago, which is about the same as last year. Don't worry they will show up.

[tonyg]

I'm up to 50 /60 martins..March 26 I had 13 and it was the last day of cold weather and supplement feeding..like Craig said, these southerly winds will bring them in.in fact I believe a few arrived today in these 30'mph winds!

[cchild03]

With the warm weekend and southern breezes, I did pick up some more birds. I don't have an exact tally, but I'm estimating 12-14 individuals up from the 9 I had since they first arrived. Yesterday we drove by a very large colony in a neighboring town, and I didn't see any signs of martins. And based on what you all are experiencing, it's just slower this year. I'm definitely glad they didn't come back early. I would've been so worried about them during all of that cold weather.

It looks like two below-50 days this week for us, but that's manageable.

My site is very quiet right now. I went out to check a sparrow trap and flushed a Cooper's Hawk out of one of my trees. The martins must've left the neighborhood when he showed up. I didn't see any signs on the ground underneath the tree that the hawk had been successful so I'm hoping that's true.

[Dawn~KS]

I think the cold spell held them back.......and that was a good thing. The gates have opened now. I have around 40 martins right now here in northeast Kansas.

[DornCounty]

no new ones for me at home yet. Still at 4. But last season I had only had my first ASY "arrive" by the 8th so I'm still ahead of last season.

I didn't get to do a good survey but it seemed the town colony grew quite abit today. Quick guess I would say we are at 1/2 of the peak of last season now.

[GeneP]

Had a male and female on the rack today. Didn't stay long but at least they're back. A couple of days of rain and storm chances then a couple of cold days. Good grief!

[cchild03]

Fingers crossed that we all get some beneficial rain tonight and tomorrow here in Kansas without high winds, hail, or worse.

[DornCounty]

Town colony up to 70% of last seasons numbers now.

Got 4 ASY males and 2 Females at home now.

Hoping for at at least 50% increase in the town colony from last seasons in the part I am managing.