Small Colony Update

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
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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 :-).

Well, I am very happy to say I officially have eleven nests with eggs or nestlings so far! I did a nest check yesterday. The egg count was 50, and gourd A has 6 healthy nestlings. They are about a week and a half ahead of all of the others. Gourd F was eggless, but was chock full of green leaves, so there may be some eggs in it soon too! That would be 100% occupancy at my site. Either way, I am very pleased with how the Purple Martins are doing this year. I will try to post a few photos later today.
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Okie
Posts: 541
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:26 pm
Location: Claremore, OK
Martin Colony History: 2016 Informed landlord now Have 2 pair returning from 2015 That is a miracle. Hoping for a very successful year, sparrow population on decline.
First house was plastic with crescent holes Had martins within a few days. Ignorant landlord gradually lost them
Then got Trio House and still lost most of them. Lots of sparrows

So very exciting :) :)
Here's to fledging every one :wink:
Congratulations of being full up. No vacancies there. :!:
Great job as landlord. I hope to be just like you. Maybe next year I can attract more than just the 2 pair from last year.
Okie
Okie
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2016 Started with 2 pair, 1 pair abandoned after HOSP destroyed eggs
1 pair= 6 eggs, 6 fledged
2017 1 pair so far, But they abandoned before nest complete for ?reason? Now Bridless and joined the Wannabes
2018 One pair ASY male SY female 5 eggs, 5 fledged
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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 :-).

Okie wrote:So very exciting :) :)
Here's to fledging every one :wink:
Congratulations of being full up. No vacancies there. :!:
Great job as landlord. I hope to be just like you. Maybe next year I can attract more than just the 2 pair from last year.
Okie
Okie,

Thank you very much! Yes, I am contemplating adding new housing now. Currently, I am shopping around for a new pole and winch system. I will probably build the new housing. I hope to get it active before my birds leave this season, so they can get used to it. They seem to really like what I have now, so I MAY duplicate it. Best of luck to you. I started in 2011, but did not get my first pair until 2013. Went to four pairs in 2014, then to 8 pairs last year. Eleven or twelve this year with lots of fighting still going on even though gourds are claimed and have eggs or nestlings!
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Jose Rodriguez
Posts: 692
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:34 am
Location: FL/Belleview

Nice shots there Chuck! Happy Season!
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"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
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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 :-).

Jose Rodriguez wrote:Nice shots there Chuck! Happy Season!

Thanks Jose! :) I hope to have a few more to share soon.
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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 :-).

Here are a few more photos from my little group of Martins:

Image

Image

Image
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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 :-).

And a few more!

Image

Image

Image
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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 :-).

Just a few more.... :grin:

Image

Image

Image
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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 :-).

Just three more...

Image

Image

Image
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pmartinlover2
Posts: 521
Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:37 pm
Location: IL/Hillsboro
Martin Colony History: 2011 Home site--1 SY pair--2 fledged
2016 Satellite Site---4 pair--19 eggs laid--17 hatched--16 fledged
2017 Satellite Site--8 pair--37 eggs laid--34 hatched--34 fledged
2018 11 pair--fledged 60
2019 20 pair-fledged 94
2020 23pair-fledged 108

Congrats, Chuck, on your growing colony! Beautiful pics as always! I'm hoping to grow my colony as you have the last few years. I'm just not sure if I have more than 1 pair---3 nests had been made as of 2 weeks ago, but the ASY pair uses all 3 of the THGS. This week when I checked there were more leaves but no eggs. The ASY is staying in only 1 gourd now and it had the biggest nest-----wondering if there were eggs in there? I didn't think about moving the leaves then. Due to take another look tomorrow. Right now my plan is just to count nests with eggs to find out how many pair I have. This is a satellite site so I'm usually there everyday, but sometimes they aren't. I'll figure it out one way or the other! Just so happy to finally have some martins to watch! Good luck with your colony and keep those pictures coming!
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Jody
Jody in Central Illinois
Landlord in 2016
2016—4 pr fledged 16
2017—8 pr fledged 34
2018—11 pr fledged 60
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Okie
Posts: 541
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:26 pm
Location: Claremore, OK
Martin Colony History: 2016 Informed landlord now Have 2 pair returning from 2015 That is a miracle. Hoping for a very successful year, sparrow population on decline.
First house was plastic with crescent holes Had martins within a few days. Ignorant landlord gradually lost them
Then got Trio House and still lost most of them. Lots of sparrows

Chuck keep those pics coming. We all love them. Looks like your martins are keeping those pesky bugs out of your garden huh?
Could someone answer a question for a newbie??? What is a THG?
Okie
PMCA member
2016 Started with 2 pair, 1 pair abandoned after HOSP destroyed eggs
1 pair= 6 eggs, 6 fledged
2017 1 pair so far, But they abandoned before nest complete for ?reason? Now Bridless and joined the Wannabes
2018 One pair ASY male SY female 5 eggs, 5 fledged
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taxidermy lady
Posts: 2989
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
Location: IL/Ellis Grove
Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!

It is Troyer horizontal gourd! THG! :)
Great photos Chuck! Boy if I ever get martins my camera on this iPad won't cut it. :lol: keep them photos coming. Love them! :)
Sharon from southern Illinois
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Jose Rodriguez
Posts: 692
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:34 am
Location: FL/Belleview

Nice shots Chuck! Have a good season!
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"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
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tor
Posts: 224
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:35 pm
Location: Marlboro County, SC
Martin Colony History: Capacity: 72 Troyers on 3 X Super-24 racks

All of them nice shots, Chuck.
Location: Marlboro County, SC

2021: Capacity: 72 - First Scouts:
2020: Capacity: 72 - First Scouts: 2/11 - 71 pair - 298 fledged
2019: Capacity: 72 - First Scouts: 2/22 - 70 pair - 315 fledged
2018: Capacity: 70 - First Scouts: 2/18 - 60 pair - 270 fledged
2017: Capacity: 42 - First Scouts: 2/25 - 39 pair
2016: Capacity: 42 - First Scouts: 3/10 - 32 pair
2015: Capacity: 24 - First Scouts: 3/23 - 4 pair

Purple Martins Of South Carolina
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Okie
Posts: 541
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:26 pm
Location: Claremore, OK
Martin Colony History: 2016 Informed landlord now Have 2 pair returning from 2015 That is a miracle. Hoping for a very successful year, sparrow population on decline.
First house was plastic with crescent holes Had martins within a few days. Ignorant landlord gradually lost them
Then got Trio House and still lost most of them. Lots of sparrows

taxidermy lady » Tue May 17, 2016 5:10 am

It is Troyer horizontal gourd! THG! :)
Thanks You are so kind to answer basic questions & so knowledgeable too :wink:
My heart just cries for your plight. I agree with Henry May 22 4:30 PM etc
Okie
PMCA member
2016 Started with 2 pair, 1 pair abandoned after HOSP destroyed eggs
1 pair= 6 eggs, 6 fledged
2017 1 pair so far, But they abandoned before nest complete for ?reason? Now Bridless and joined the Wannabes
2018 One pair ASY male SY female 5 eggs, 5 fledged
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Ed Pace
Posts: 668
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2011 3:31 pm
Location: NY/Jamestown

Congratulations on the success of your colony Chuck and great pictures to . It's good to be at that point, you can be more comfortable about next years returns. Best of luck. Ed
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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 :-).

Well, I am very happy to say that I am at 100% occupancy this season! Today's a nest check revealed 12 nest with eggs or nestlings/hatchlings. Potentially, I will rear 63 new Purple Martin individuals. Plus the 12 adults, it will equal 75 Martin's flying around in about a month. I can honestly say I've never seen that many of them around here. It's an exciting day for me!
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Okie
Posts: 541
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:26 pm
Location: Claremore, OK
Martin Colony History: 2016 Informed landlord now Have 2 pair returning from 2015 That is a miracle. Hoping for a very successful year, sparrow population on decline.
First house was plastic with crescent holes Had martins within a few days. Ignorant landlord gradually lost them
Then got Trio House and still lost most of them. Lots of sparrows

Let's see pics of a sky full of martins.
Congratulations Thrilling news
Okie
PMCA member
2016 Started with 2 pair, 1 pair abandoned after HOSP destroyed eggs
1 pair= 6 eggs, 6 fledged
2017 1 pair so far, But they abandoned before nest complete for ?reason? Now Bridless and joined the Wannabes
2018 One pair ASY male SY female 5 eggs, 5 fledged
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James Strickland FL
Posts: 2249
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:04 pm
Location: Reidsville NC
Martin Colony History: 2017 Had a lot visitors no Matins nesting, hoping 2018 will be different.
2018 Had 1 pair
2019 had 30 pair

I love the Pics.
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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 :-).

Thanks Okie and James! I appreciate it. Yes, I too want to see a sky full of Purple Martins! 8)
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