Iowa Landlords

phldave · Fri Jul 05, 2013 3:57 pm

I was curious what stage your broods are in? Have they strarted to fledge yet? When will they start fledging? I have noticed here lately I don't see much flying activity in the direction of colony's around me. Was just trying to put 2 and 2 together to figure out what is going on. I'm ready for some of those newby's (HY) and their folks to stop over and check out my vacant house. Can't stand this inactivity.

avesrun · Fri Jul 05, 2013 5:18 pm

I second that request! Curious if we should be looking for the HY martins in August? or Sept.?

Although I must say for the last week and a half I've had dozens and dozens of mostly cliff and barn swallows daily swarming the farm fields that border my property; If only they were cavity nesters! Either way, they've been spectacular to watch; The parent birds swoop to the young and feed them in mid-flight. The cliff swallows nest heavily on the highway bridges near my home.

If I happen to get martins next season; do any veteran landlords out there have cliff swallows around their colonies whereby the two coexist? Just want to make sure the two swallow species won't conflict with each other. I believe the cliff swallows feed mostly lower to the ground than martins; however, I've notice that moreso than the barnies, the cliffs do often hunt pretty high up in the sky. Thanks!
Tim

phldave · Fri Jul 05, 2013 9:14 pm

After doing a little reading of past posts in our Iowa forum and some PM biology research, it looks like we are going to start fledging around here about mid-July into August. So maybe in a week or so we should start seeing some increased activity. Sure glad it's not any hotter than it is.

JamesinIA · Sat Jul 06, 2013 6:55 am

I have several nests that will fledge by the end of next week. I did loose a few due to the black flies and some to SY single males, but other than that it seems to be a good year so far.

phldave · Sat Jul 06, 2013 9:40 am

James,

Thanks for confirming my research.

Dave

p.s. have you checked out our webpage www.iamartin.org

avesrun · Sat Jul 06, 2013 11:56 am

Another question: Can we expect some of these HY martins and others to actually spend overnights in our vacant houses as they disperse? I had some ASY overnighters in April so assuming it's possible for the Fall migration/dispersal.

Dave Duit · Sat Jul 06, 2013 8:54 pm

I expect fledging mid July at my colony. I have some that are within two weeks and also have eggs in some nests. My colony numbers as of July 3rd are:
162 babies
29 eggs still to hatch
8 bad eggs
45 nesting pair with eggs and or babies
0 dead babies so far

R Onnen · Sun Jul 07, 2013 8:42 am

I have one nest that may fledge tomorrow. And then some eggs are still hatching. Really get nervous doing "checks" with older chicks. My mentor, Jim, had some fledge today, I think
Rod

phldave · Sun Jul 07, 2013 10:16 am

Sounds like those established sites are really busy right now. Can't quite figure out why the colony's off to my south seem so still. Just don't see them flying around like I did. Sure hope it doesn't get super hot while you folks are busy with hatchlings. They must just make short flights to catch their pray and take it right back to their hatchlings.

lynnh · Sun Jul 07, 2013 2:22 pm

Our colony started fledging July 1st. We have had about 20 nest fledge in the last few days. We had some fledge at 27 days. We have 81 nesting pair, 350 babies and 16 eggs left to hatch. We lost 5 babies, not sure why, possibly black flies. We also have 20-30 sy males, they are very aggressive this year. Hope they return next year.

lynnh · Sun Jul 07, 2013 2:26 pm

Started a new colony at my father-in laws on Memorial Day. Had a nesting pair within the week!!! They now have 4 babies and lots of visitors.

phldave · Sun Jul 07, 2013 6:41 pm

Wow Lynn I hope some of those 350 spread up north next year, I know of 2 houses that would love to have them. You are really crankin um out like clock work. Keep up the good work. I would sure like to help out in my neck of the woods.

Dave Duit · Sun Jul 07, 2013 10:00 pm

Lynn and Penny, Check out the Iowa website for a PM (personal message). Request becoming Mahaska county mentor. Thanks Dave

Tony · Tue Jul 09, 2013 12:55 pm

I maintain two sites on my lake lots at Okoboji. I did nest checks yesterday and had everything from eggs to newborns and one nest within a week of fledging. This year I put two gourds out in the lake about 20 inches above the water. One of the gourds over the water has the five chicks close to fledging.