First nest check.

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We just completed our first nest check. We have 5 eggs! So I was wrong about babies but now I know. Took pics and will upload soon.
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Laverne
Posts: 2216
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
Location: TX/Alvin
Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.

See, you just learned something new. But 5 eggs, how awesome! You may have seen them bringing in small pieces of nesting material or even green leaves.

Congratulations on those eggs!! 8)
Sincerely,
Laverne
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Guest

Thank you Laverne!

I am going to have to work out in order to have the strength to lift the house back up. Who knew 5 precious little eggs could be so heavy. :-)

I am glad we checked b/c there was an unwanted nest on the opposite side of the house. As my husband pulled it out and tossed it I felt a wee bit guilty when I saw an egg but I know we don't want them.
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Louise Chambers
Site Admin
Posts: 6208
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Leslie,

Please check recent threads on house sparrows - do a search for house sparrow. Also go to forum archives and read articles about house sparrows there, including house sparrow revenge. Once the HOSP have eggs, don't pull their nests - get rid of the parents first, then remove nests/eggs. Just mentioning this quickly so you know to do some research and make plans - glad you did the nest check.
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Guest

Thank you Louise

I should have asked however my husband did it before I could find out if there were any eggs in it. Will be sure to read up on how to deal more effectively with them in the future. I appreciate the information.
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Guest

Here is a pic of the eggs from today's nest check. I sure hope they make it.
Attachments
Photo by LeslieN taken 4/26/2012 Cedar Park, Tx
Photo by LeslieN taken 4/26/2012 Cedar Park, Tx
DSC01182.JPG (70.51 KiB) Viewed 1896 times
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Guest

Here is a pic of the house location. I know now that it may not be optimal but for now this is where it will stay. There are no neighbors behind me or to the left of my house. I live next to a large greenbelt behind and park with a pool beside me. The PMs seem to enjoy hunting there.
Attachments
Taken by LeslieN Cedar Park Tx
Taken by LeslieN Cedar Park Tx
DSC01118.JPG (69.08 KiB) Viewed 1873 times
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shiner
Posts: 56
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2010 3:31 pm
Location: Texas/McKinney
Martin Colony History: Landlord since 2009.

They will make it. Wait until you see the babies for the first time. I prefer to do nest checks about every 5 days. You can better track the progression of the young that way. Others may have different tactics, but that works for me.
Robert Shine
McKinney, Texas
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Guest

Thanks Robert!
I won't deny I am a little concerned about revenge from the HOSP so I'll be watching very closely.
I've had baby mocking birds for 6 years and love watching them. I can only imagine how exciting it will be to watch the first PM babies. :-)
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