Running out of rooms
Live in southwest Ar , last year first time to have a pair of Martins , 6 small hole house 25 ' in the air , this year I put up the two 6 hole sunsets with the 4 horizontal guords on A multipurpose pole , got about 6 pairs now and more are visiting every day , should I increase my cavities this year or not and if so what should I go with and why , thanks
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Ed Svetich-WI
- Posts: 815
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
- Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
- Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.
Congratulations on your new colony. You ask whether you should add more cavities. You are currently at 22 cavities if I counted correctly.I suggest that the question you should ask yourself is how many cavities you can effectively manage. There is a responsibility that comes with a martin colony. Nest replacements are suggested at least twice during the nesting season. If you plan to keep records for yourself or the PMCA, that will take time.I am assuming that your housing will be accessible, although at 25 feet for your first house that does not seem likley.
My philosophy is to grow into your colony to determine when you have reached the optimal size for you.
You are off to a good start. Good luck.
Ed
My philosophy is to grow into your colony to determine when you have reached the optimal size for you.
You are off to a good start. Good luck.
Ed
Running out of Rooms?!?!
Well Ed, that's a good problem to have!
I've been after Martins for almost 30 years and have NEVER had that problem; in fact I have many vacancies if you'd like to send some my way... WAY DOWN SOUTH
I would only add as seasons and time goes by; possibly stay with what you got this year (sounds like you have enough) and see how busy they keep you then increase and see occupancy rate.
Sounds like you're doing GREAT!!!
GOOD LUCK TO YOU!
Well Ed, that's a good problem to have!
I've been after Martins for almost 30 years and have NEVER had that problem; in fact I have many vacancies if you'd like to send some my way... WAY DOWN SOUTH
I would only add as seasons and time goes by; possibly stay with what you got this year (sounds like you have enough) and see how busy they keep you then increase and see occupancy rate.
Sounds like you're doing GREAT!!!
GOOD LUCK TO YOU!
Nest checks are important. If something is happening to the Martin young, the sooner you know the easier it is to fix.
I add Sevin dust 5% to the cavities before the Martins arrive. They will usually have some mites when they get here & the babies are really susceptible to mites cause they are immobile until they fledge.
If you do nest checks once a week, you will actually know the day the young will fledge. I think that is pretty cool.
The bigger the Colony the more Hawks you will attract to your area, and a healthy male Cooper Hawk can catch a couple of Martins per day.
So just think about how much time you want to devote to this endeavor.
I say this as I have 100 cavities right now & will have 95% occupancy one the SY's all arrive.
I add Sevin dust 5% to the cavities before the Martins arrive. They will usually have some mites when they get here & the babies are really susceptible to mites cause they are immobile until they fledge.
If you do nest checks once a week, you will actually know the day the young will fledge. I think that is pretty cool.
The bigger the Colony the more Hawks you will attract to your area, and a healthy male Cooper Hawk can catch a couple of Martins per day.
So just think about how much time you want to devote to this endeavor.
I say this as I have 100 cavities right now & will have 95% occupancy one the SY's all arrive.
Colony started in 2002
Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds
2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS
*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds
2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS
*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
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phldave
- Posts: 528
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:44 pm
- Location: Iowa/Pleasant Hill
- Martin Colony History: Started trying in 2012 and still trying
Wow Otee! What's that like? Sure hope I have that problem by the time I retire here in a few years. Send some my way I'd love to hav um.
2012 late start
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
im 70 years old and have 122 cavaties you can add more good luck and God bless
2015 69 pairs 418 eggs 396 fledged
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged
2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged
2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
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handyman315
- Posts: 300
- Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 11:03 am
- Location: SW Ohio
- Martin Colony History: Colony established May 20, 2017 after three unsuccessful years. Persistent and aggressive Tree Swallows plagued the site, but beyond learning - and practicing - to control them, was the return in 2017 of a 2016-SY-M previously unable to find a mate. As a handsome ASY-M, he brought along two females and a swagger that soon put the Tree Swallow issue to rest. As the anchor pair, he and his mate hatched all six of their eggs into fat and healthy babies into what settled in to be a three-pair, flourishing new colony with up to 11 birds total, including 3 SY-M trouble makers.
What a nice "problem" to have.
Entering my 4th season without a nesting pair of PMs . . . but am on first name basis with some Tree Swallows (not in the gourd rack) ! :-)
Good luck with your new colony!
Entering my 4th season without a nesting pair of PMs . . . but am on first name basis with some Tree Swallows (not in the gourd rack) ! :-)
Good luck with your new colony!
2023-42 Nests, 197 Eggs/Babies
2022-48 Nests Fledged 203
2021-43 Nests Fledged 185
2020-31 Nests Fledged 133, three early deaths due to cold & rain
2019-19 Nests Fledged 84
2018-11 Nests Fledged 48, ASY-M Arrived April 6, Despite Snow & Cold, Joined Soon by Mate & Two Adult Pairs
2017-3 Nests Fledged 13, FIRST-YEAR LANDLORD! Resident SY-M from 2016 Returned (as ASY-M) on May 20. At Least 11 Adult Residents
2016 Late-Arriving SYs, Resident Lone SY-M
2015-14 Many Visits
2022-48 Nests Fledged 203
2021-43 Nests Fledged 185
2020-31 Nests Fledged 133, three early deaths due to cold & rain
2019-19 Nests Fledged 84
2018-11 Nests Fledged 48, ASY-M Arrived April 6, Despite Snow & Cold, Joined Soon by Mate & Two Adult Pairs
2017-3 Nests Fledged 13, FIRST-YEAR LANDLORD! Resident SY-M from 2016 Returned (as ASY-M) on May 20. At Least 11 Adult Residents
2016 Late-Arriving SYs, Resident Lone SY-M
2015-14 Many Visits