Do I remove the nest?

[Bob]

I have one gourd that has a complete nest in it, but no eggs. For the past two days, I have not seen any martins going or coming from this gourd. All the other gourds have activity. I am not sure if something happened to one or both of the maritns in this gourd. Should I clean out the nest and see if another pair may take over the gourd or just leave the completed nest? I have a few pairs that just started feeding young this weekend and I have a couple pairs that just started building nests in the past two days. I still have about 2 to 3 weeks for more arrivals and pairing and just wanted to know if it is best to leave the completed nest or remove it.

[DebA]

I would leave it. Especially if it doesn't have green leaves. First because even though we observe a lot sometimes we miss things and maybe they are still active. Also because it might be a lone PM that has kept themselves busy nest building doing what the others do and when and if they attract a mate they are quickly good to go. If it doesn't have green leaves now but in subsequent nest checks you see that it does you will know for sure there is still activity.

Just because there is nest material in there doesn't mean new arriving pairs won't use that compartment. Afterall...so many people don't clean out their houses and the returning PMs still nest the next year.

Deb

[Bob]

Thank you Deb. I will leave the nest and see what happens. Hopefully if the original pair do not come back to the gourd, maybe another pair will claim it.