Martin Colony History: I only have one 16 compartment house. I only have a small backyard so I have to be happy with what I got. No problems having several pairs for the past 5 years. Never quite have a full house.
I have lowered my bird house several months ago. (naturally after all birds had left) , and yesterday I was somewhat surprised what I had found. In one compartment there were 3 unhatched eggs. In another I found the remains of a bird that I will assume never tried to learn to fly. And in another 2 or 3 babies that never got their feathers.
I had what I thought was a good year. Guess it could had been better.
If you had a dozen or more pairs, this would not be unusual. Overall you probably done good.
The PMCA Project Martin Watch I believe requires landlords to do a final nest check and mark units empty, or those with dead young.
Don't be discouraged. I probably find one or two nests like that for every dozen I clean in the fall.
John
That's right. I do nest checks, nest replacement and take care of mites and still can't save them all. These pm's that come to my house don't have 6 or 7 eggs in every cavity and raise them all. Can't wait for march, hope everyone has a good 2017 joe
I have lowered my bird house several months ago. (naturally after all birds had left) , and yesterday I was somewhat surprised what I had found. In one compartment there were 3 unhatched eggs. In another I found the remains of a bird that I will assume never tried to learn to fly. And in another 2 or 3 babies that never got their feathers.