We have had some rainy weather here in the beginning of the week. I had checked my gourds of which I knew I had one pair. When I checked I had found another nest being started. I was very excited to that.
Last night I did not see any activity and I also noticed the same this morning. I was assuming that beings the weather was warmer they were out and about more.
As I was leaving my house today I had seen a dead bird on the side of the road in front of my house. Usually I don't pay any attention to that but this time I did. It was a female Martin. Now I'm starting to think is this one of mine. If it is will the male stay and find another mate?
Is it normal for them to stay away for long periods of time?
Maybe I'm overreacting I hope so.
Bret
good & bad news
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
How large was your colony last year? If you had several pair last year, then this most likely will not affect the return of some of the others. I hope the male stays and brings back another female. Is there a chance that the male was also injured? They usually sit near each other. Do you supply egg shells or oyster shells for them, they need the calcium and they are going to the road to find the gravel and calcium. Some of the martins will use the eggshell feeders for their calcium needs, and that keeps some of them off the road.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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~Ray~Gingerich
- Posts: 2122
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: Delaware/Dover
Sorry to hear that Bret, I hope it wasn't one of yours
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
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stan davison
- Posts: 715
- Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:48 pm
- Location: Tulsa Oklahoma
Martins get killed all the time trying to land in the street or on the curb. It is very sad and they just are not scared as much as other birds are with cars. The best thing that can be done is provide nesting material/oyster shells etc somewhere close to your house on a platform raised or even on the ground. I am sorry to hear of the loss but many people have started off on the wrong foot to no fault of their own, but now have thriving colonys. Good luck