PLX Purple Martins - Year by Year
YEAR
POLES
MATED PAIRS
FLEDGED
2000
2
1
4
2001
6
12
47
2002
11
31
128
2003
14
56
221
2004
18
76
256
2005
22
71
283
2006
22
92
362
2007
24
103
413
2008
26
125
462
2009
28
129
337
2010
29
116
487
2011
29
130
514
2012
35
177
710
2013
35
212
744
2014
35
150
633
2015
35
172
536
2016
38
179
728
2017
41
223
794
2018
42
217
897
TOTAL = 8,556
The Purple Martin is a bird that is primarily dependent upon the assistance of humans in the areas east of the Mississippi. They are our largest swallow measuring from aproximately 7 1/2″ to 8 1/2″ in length. The male of the species is uniformly blue black with a forked swallow tail. The female is grayish underneath.
Here in the Portage Lakes we provide gourds for their nests. We discovered early on that they prefer them to the usual Martin houses. We do use some native gourds, but we have purchased synthetic gourds that are more easily maintained. The Martins seem to be equally happy with both.
The Purple Martins are a migratory species, flying to South America for the winter. They return to our area usually during the month of April. In August, their Premigratory Roost at Nimisila Reservoir is a spectacular sight, with some 5000 to 10,000 Martins stopping over to rest briefly before proceeding on their long journey.
PLPMA has use of a barn for the winter. It is heated and can be used for care and storage of the gourds during the colder months. Also, in checking at Y-Noah site, Larry Hunter discovered that there were at least two nests we didn’t know about. These birds were not in our count, so we had more than we thought.
Portage Lakes Purple Martin Timeline & Annual Notes
2018 -FIRST SIGHTING!
First sighting was by Kay Lucak on Easter Sunday (April 1st). 2 were at Long Lake Beach Association and 3 at State Mill on Wednesday the 4th according to Larry Hunter who subsequently spied 5 Martins at the State Mill site in the morning of April 6th. JoAnn Pence was taking pictures and said they were there on April 5th.
As of April 10th, Paul Toth fed 17 birds at State Mill. (Volunteers to help with feedings?) Contact Paul.
Looks like a record for this year? We had 215 nesting pairs, 1236 total eggs, 847 hatchlings and a grand total of 850 fledglings. We think they may have nodded their thanks as they flew by us when “staging” on Nimisila.
WANT TO PROVIDE A HOME FOR THE MARTINS?
This has been a great year for Purple Martins in our area. Everyone had more martins than ever before. Our friend, Paul Troyer of Riceland Ohio, had a fantastic year. He fledged 726 martins. As reported before, Paul has a banded bird at his colony that was born and banded at our Site #4 (Judy & Larry Hunter’s). This After Second Year (ASY) female nested last year at Paul’s and nested this year in the same cavity.
Paul manufactures wooden martin houses. His design incorporates all the latest advances in that style housing. Anyone interested in this type house can contact Paul at Orrville Woodcraft – Tel.330-682-2958.
Other sources for Martin Housing include:
- Andy Troyer, Birds of Paradise, Conneautville PA. – Tel.800-872-0103
- Purple Martin Conservation Association, Erie PA. – Tel. 814-833-7656
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Our congratulations to Ted Carter who, after years of trying, finally had a nesting pair of martins. His babies hatched the first week of August, which is really late. It is such a great day when you become a Martin Landlord!
2016 Statistics
1st Martin Sighting – 11:30 on Sunday March 27th – Site #4 (Judy & Larry Hunter’s)
179 nesting pairs of ASY (after second year) birds laid a total of 825 eggs and fledged 728 Martins.
Banding Purple Martins
2009 – Larry reports that he banded 28 tree swallows and checked nests. He found 5 babies in the first nest, 6 in the 3rd, 5 in the 5th. For the purple martins there are 108 nests with a total of 450 eggs. There are 12 gourds at Larry’s house and all 12 have nests. Over 100 dozen eggs will be used to feed the Martins this year. The first egg was laid on May 7th.
2008 – Banded 242 babies