More nest poop than usual?
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FlaSpartan
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:46 am
- Location: Florida/Clermont
Don't know if it's been the cool weather and more time spent in their nests, but their housing sure seems to be a lot dirtier than I remember from previous years. I provide pre-made nests in all 36 of my compartments and those that are already well-used look like they're in need of a nest change even before "nesting" occurs! Has anyone else noticed this and would you recommend changing nesting material at this point? It's been 5 weeks since my first arrivals here in central Florida - I now have about 24 birds and numbers are rapidly rising....
There is no greater thrill than interacting with nature. Fledged 144 in 2014.
I participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH.
I participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH.
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John Barrow
- Posts: 982
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 4:12 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi / Sandia , Texas
FlaSpartan,
My experience is that resident martins are good housekeepers and keep gourds in relatively clean condition. On the other hand, martins in transit often leave a mess. It may be that with our abnormally cold, wet weather, more migrating martins have overnighted at your location waiting out a break in the weather. That could account for dirtier nests left behind. Also, if the nests have gotten wet and are not draining well, there may be a need to do some nest changes. You will need to make that decision based upon what you observe, and there is probably no need to change out nests until martins are on the verge of egg laying if you feel at that time it is necessary. First eggs are usually laid in SE Florida, and when that event is posted, you might do a nest check and replace any nests that you feel might be unsanitary or not relatively dry.
My experience is that resident martins are good housekeepers and keep gourds in relatively clean condition. On the other hand, martins in transit often leave a mess. It may be that with our abnormally cold, wet weather, more migrating martins have overnighted at your location waiting out a break in the weather. That could account for dirtier nests left behind. Also, if the nests have gotten wet and are not draining well, there may be a need to do some nest changes. You will need to make that decision based upon what you observe, and there is probably no need to change out nests until martins are on the verge of egg laying if you feel at that time it is necessary. First eggs are usually laid in SE Florida, and when that event is posted, you might do a nest check and replace any nests that you feel might be unsanitary or not relatively dry.
~~TEAMED WITH A MARTIN GODDESS~~
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
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FlaSpartan
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:46 am
- Location: Florida/Clermont
Thanks John. I always thought Martins preferred to keep their homes pretty tidy. Nests are dry, just mounds of poop especially in the TMC. I had them squeaky clean before adding nest material in January. The gourds (not much activity until now) still look OK. Sounds like you have a good theory. I did see numbers surge, then decline with the "cold" weather, now on the increase again. Looks like I'll need to re-do my spring cleaning soon - YUCK! Can't show the nests to the girl scouts & cub scouts looking like that anyway - good way to turn off potential landlords!
There is no greater thrill than interacting with nature. Fledged 144 in 2014.
I participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH.
I participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH.
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Guest
It has been my experience that rainy or cold spells keep the birds in their nests more than usual and with that comes more poopy nests. You can change your nest material if you want, but its not necessary.