Our second and last nest fledged about 6 days ago. This was a renest and only 3 of the 5 eggs hatched. All 3 fledged. Mom and 2 of the babies have been gone for 3 days now. Dad still brings the third back every night. The other nest had 5 eggs, all of which hatched. One died the first week and a second died about 10 days later. Both happened after cool wet days here in the Midwest. No mites or blowfies. The other 3 fledged and have been gone about 2 weeks now.
Interesestingly, both nests fledged on the 38th day. According to what I have read, that is past the normal time.
We have some tree branches to cut and some work to do to try and improve our site for nest year.
Our first year as landlords
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KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
Gregg, congratulations!
You are off to a great start for your first year! Looks like you'll be growing next year!
You are off to a great start for your first year! Looks like you'll be growing next year!
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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Veronica G
- Posts: 338
- Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:36 am
- Location: Texas/Edinburg
Gregg,
Last year was my first year as a landlord, and boy have I learned a lot, mostly from the great people on this forum. I started off with 8 pair last year, and this year my colony grew to 22 pair. I hope your colony grows just like mine did. Sounds like you're off to a good start!
Veronica
Last year was my first year as a landlord, and boy have I learned a lot, mostly from the great people on this forum. I started off with 8 pair last year, and this year my colony grew to 22 pair. I hope your colony grows just like mine did. Sounds like you're off to a good start!
Veronica
I participate in Project Martin Watch!
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Guest
Greg & Veronica,
I want to 2nd Kathy's congratulations. I guess with all the sorrow others suffered this year, we are blessed. This is my 3rd. year. I increased from 5 prs. in o8 to 21 prs. in 09. Fledged 78. I have 1 nest of 4 that will fledge in the next couple days. That will be all for this year.
Gregg, I'm glad you had a really great 1st year. I guess as you know by now that this can become addicting. Are you going to make any changes or additions for next year?
Veronica, those are dynamite numbers! Should be even better next year. I think if you build it they will come!
Are you going to make any changes or additions? 
I want to 2nd Kathy's congratulations. I guess with all the sorrow others suffered this year, we are blessed. This is my 3rd. year. I increased from 5 prs. in o8 to 21 prs. in 09. Fledged 78. I have 1 nest of 4 that will fledge in the next couple days. That will be all for this year.
Gregg, I'm glad you had a really great 1st year. I guess as you know by now that this can become addicting. Are you going to make any changes or additions for next year?
Veronica, those are dynamite numbers! Should be even better next year. I think if you build it they will come!
Are you going to make any changes or additions? Thanks Kathy and Veronica. We feel very blessed that 2 pairs decided to call our site home. They sure are fun to have around. We can't wait 'til next spring.
Harley,
I have a couple of trees that I am going to remove this fall to try to open up our backyard a little more. I, like Kathy, had constant problems with HSP this spring. I lost track of how many I shot. We bought a repeating trap for next year and I also built a repeating starling trap, as I had several of them that I "permanently discouraged" from nesting. Also, our gourd rack will hold 16 gourds and we currently have 8. I plan to add 8 more gourds (and a winch!) before next season. Hopefully, we can add a few more pairs next year.
Thanks again to everyone for their help.
Harley,
I have a couple of trees that I am going to remove this fall to try to open up our backyard a little more. I, like Kathy, had constant problems with HSP this spring. I lost track of how many I shot. We bought a repeating trap for next year and I also built a repeating starling trap, as I had several of them that I "permanently discouraged" from nesting. Also, our gourd rack will hold 16 gourds and we currently have 8. I plan to add 8 more gourds (and a winch!) before next season. Hopefully, we can add a few more pairs next year.
Thanks again to everyone for their help.
If you really want to do something, you'll find a way...If you don't, you'll find an excuse.
'09 2 pair 6 fledged
'10 3 pair 14 fledged
'11 8 pair 35 fledged
'12 16 pair 65 fledged
'13 17 pair 69 fledged
'09 2 pair 6 fledged
'10 3 pair 14 fledged
'11 8 pair 35 fledged
'12 16 pair 65 fledged
'13 17 pair 69 fledged
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Veronica G
- Posts: 338
- Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:36 am
- Location: Texas/Edinburg
Harley,
Thanks! To be fair, I hear Texas is infested with martins (I mean that in a good way), and there just aren't too many good homes for them. Sure, I've seen lots of martins houses around, but most of them are overrun by house sparrows. So all I had to do was put a house up in the air, control the HS, and the rest took care of itself.
But to answer your question, yes, we are making some changes. First, we're replacing one of our houses (we have 3). It's an old plastic S&K house, and it's in pretty bad shape. It was the most popular house though. I guess it's what the birds are used to around here. We're thinking about a 12 room Trendsetter. Secondly, I think I want to build some sort of feeding tray to put out crickets or eggshells. Third, porch dividers for my Trio Castle. I had a lot of fledglings walking around to different cavities this year. Gee, I've got a lot to do. Better get to it!
Veronica
P.S. Your numbers aren't too shabby either!! Looks like you're doing a good job
Thanks! To be fair, I hear Texas is infested with martins (I mean that in a good way), and there just aren't too many good homes for them. Sure, I've seen lots of martins houses around, but most of them are overrun by house sparrows. So all I had to do was put a house up in the air, control the HS, and the rest took care of itself.
But to answer your question, yes, we are making some changes. First, we're replacing one of our houses (we have 3). It's an old plastic S&K house, and it's in pretty bad shape. It was the most popular house though. I guess it's what the birds are used to around here. We're thinking about a 12 room Trendsetter. Secondly, I think I want to build some sort of feeding tray to put out crickets or eggshells. Third, porch dividers for my Trio Castle. I had a lot of fledglings walking around to different cavities this year. Gee, I've got a lot to do. Better get to it!
Veronica
P.S. Your numbers aren't too shabby either!! Looks like you're doing a good job
I participate in Project Martin Watch!