Introduction

[Daveb]

Hello, I am a new member. I have been trying for approx. five years to get a nesting pair in my house. I did move once during that time. I currently reside along a Bay in NJ. This spring I finally got one pair to nest. While doing nest checks, I found 4 eggs. Unfortunately, only 2 hatched. I currently have 2 apparently healthy little ones. I check on them about once per week. I would appreciate any tips or recommendations on what I should do to make sure they survive. Thanks.

[Louise Chambers]

Pole guard, for protection from raccoons and snakes
control house sparrows and starlings
you might employ supplemental feeding if weather is a threat next year
regular nest checks & keep records -which you are already doing
keep an eye out for nest parasites, and replace nests in mites or blowflies infest the nests

Congrats on your first pair of martins!

[Gobbler T]

Welcome, and congrats on your first pair. Good luck with the two babies.

[DebA]

Hello Dave from New Jersey. Louise seems to have left a few things out. Not like her. You have to talk to them. They like my singing and whistling so good luck with that. You want to nest check frequently and handle them. I've read to look for mites, blowfly bites etc... But it's really so the babies get to know you so when they come back they fly overhead and greet you excitedly. You will have to bundle up and go out in the ice and snow to make sure they are cozy. You will need to pretty much take all of your clothes off when it's 100+ and go out to give them some ice packs. You need to give a guttural growl at house sparrows and hawks and call them bad names. You need to learn how to shoot. You need to neglect feeding your spouse but make scrambled eggs for them whenever they need it. You need to post pics on here especially if your camera goes blurry on zoom like mine does. The showoffs with good cameras make me jealous. Oh yeah...you need to drive your family, friends, and co-workers crazy with how much you talk about purple martins.

Do all of these things and I promise you success.

Deb in Kansas

[MamaBruff]

Welcome, new landlord! I agree with everything that has been said so far... This "hobby" quickly becomes an obsession!

I would like to add that there is volumes of info on the PMCA website, Update Magazine, and on this forum. Consume/ absorb as much knowledge as you can, and do your best to be a good landlord. Successful fledging this year means more martins next year!

Best wishes!

[Daveb]

Thanks everyone. I agree that this site contains all the information I should need. Glad I found it!

[Daveb]

Today nest check!




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[DebA]

Excellent! Looking good. Nice picture.
Deb

[MamaBruff]

Sweet! I love the pic of baby all nestled in your hands. They look so cute when they get their eyes open! Good luck, and please keep us posted!

[Daveb]

Thanks, I really enjoy looking at them. I check the nest once per week. One question I have, do the fledglings fly away or will they hang around for awhile?

[DebA]

Hi Dave,
That varies. So far mine have hung around. Some say after a day or two they don't see them. Mine seem to hang for about a week or so and then I suspect they are gone. I have nests fledging at staggered times so right now I always have some fledges around. If I have a late nest that fledges mid-August I see them for one to two days and then they are off to catch up to a roost I suspect.

When you go from 12 nesting pair in the sky to having all their fledges too...the activity is fun to watch.

Deb

[Daveb]

Ok, thanks Deb.

[Vern1]

First: Welcome from Texas.

My season is pretty much over and fledglings are gone.

Thank you for sharing the nest check photos.
Makes me sad and anxious at the same time and my season lives on in your pics!

[Daveb]

Thanks Vern, glad you enjoyed the photos. It won't be long before my babies are gone too.

[Daveb]

Well, I have one fledgling left in the nest. I did a nest check Wednesday. The fledgling wanted to fly out of my hand! The other one is flying around and has been returning to the house. The parents are still feeding the remaining fledgling in the nest. Probably won't be long before they leave.

[Louise Chambers]

Dave, that's great that they are fledging okay. From about 20 days old, it's a good idea not to reach into the nest, and to avoid touching or handling the young birds—it can spook them into flying before they are really ready (at 22 days they can flap but not fly; if one bails out you might not be able to catch it and return it to the nest). It's important that the parents are with them when they fly the first time(s), they'll guide them to safer landing places, keep feeding them, and bring them back to housing for the night.

Fledging can take place at 26 days old, some stay in the nest a few days longer, a few linger til 30 days - depends on how heavy the nestlings are.

[DebA]

...and yours might be heavy being the two and probably well fed. Glad you have been able to enjoy the experience with them!
Deb

[Matt F.]

Welcome Dave!
Great photos!

[Daveb]

Thanks Matt. Louise, he did seem a little spooked, but went back into nest ok. I only held him for a minute. Mom is back and feeding him. It seems like she is trying to coax him out.

[art]

Dave,

Congratulations on your succcessful first year! I notice in your photo that you have plastic housing and an entrance is taped over. Have you modified the interior by enlarging compartment size (6x6 to 6x12)? Also is the house near water? If so could you relocate a bit away from water to avoid fledglings landing in water?
I started out with a similar plastic house and added raised sub-floors by cutting 1/4" hail screen to compartment size and folding 1/4" around the edges to keep off the floor. Just a suggestion as you live in a high rain zone. I also have a 3/4" cedar board cut to size in front of the doors. This helps keep the doors closed and puts the entrance bottom at level with the opening. Easier for the birds to enter as they don't need to "step up" to enter the apartment.
I still keep my plastic house in the yard and have added two home-made wood houses (20 apartments) which has many advantages I think.
Don't hesitate to ask for help. We're all here for you.
Art in Kansas