Runt & Late Nests

[ljd-kc]

This year I had 2 late nests one that fledged around 8/1/14 which had 5 young in it, the second should fledge around 8/15/14, which has 4 young in it. One of the 5 young in the 8/1 nest was a runt, and when it came time for that nest to fledge I couldn't bring myself to leave the runt in there by himself, so about 3 days before the was ready to fledge I moved him to the 8/15 nest. Just in case it didn't work out I still had time to move him back. I moved him to the 8/15 nest and he stayed there until about 5 days ago, which is when he fledged. The parents have been very attentive for a late nest and bring him back every night. The remaining 4 in the 8/15 nest, all look very healthy should fledge any day now. I've done this with mixed results in the past, but happy to see it work this time, our colony had a tough year this year. First picture was on moving day. Second picture was taken the morning he fledged. He is at the top of the photo in the second picture.

Jack

[Craig Haddox]

Jack, congratulation's on your late nest success. Here in Washington Missouri I haven't seen a martin for over 2 weeks now. The season goes by to fast for my liking.

[ljd-kc]

Thanks Craig, hope you had a great year!

Jack

[Archer]

Hey Jack, did something similar tonight. I was cutting the grass and found this fledging beside the pole of the house. Lots of poop on the ground so he must have been there most of the day. I got him back up into his house but his sibs were gone. Then I remembered there had been a chick that hatched a couple of day late in this nest, must have been him. After mowing a little more I remembered I had some crickets in the freezer, so I thawed some and gave him a good feed. After doing a little more mowing, it dawned on me that I should move him over to my last nest. Lowered the house and he was similar in size. So I plunked him in there. Hopefully a few more days of TLC will do him well. Time will tell.

Allan