Is it unusual for a martin to stay in the nest during a nest check. This happened yesterday while I was checking a Trio house. I am now thinking I should go back and check to see if it is trapped in some way. Or should I wait until my next nest check which is due 6/2.
Thanks
Staying in nest during nest check.
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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.
If you are uncomfortable in capturing the martin, just let the nest check go until later. I frequently have a martin or two remain in the nest during nest checks. I slowly place my hand around them and remove them; check them over a bit and open my hand to allow them to fly away. I am always looking for banded birds, so I take advantage of the situation.
One advantage of frequent nest checks is that your birds become used to the disturbance. I always talk to them and tap the pole so they become conditioned to my lowering of the gourds. It is no big deal to delay checking for eggs or nestlings until later in the day or tomorrow.
Have a good season,
Ed
One advantage of frequent nest checks is that your birds become used to the disturbance. I always talk to them and tap the pole so they become conditioned to my lowering of the gourds. It is no big deal to delay checking for eggs or nestlings until later in the day or tomorrow.
Have a good season,
Ed
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ldskidmore
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Thu May 30, 2013 3:28 pm
- Location: TN/Greenback
Thank you for the advice I will wait and check again on 6/2.
Larry
Larry
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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 2445
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
- Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
- Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged
2026 - 41 Pair, 182 Fledged
Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged
2026 - 28 Pair. 116 Fledged
Had that happen to me last week... The Female set on the nest through the nest check.. When I saw her, I just slowly closed the door on the Trio, and will check later.. Well today she was gone. And I found three eggs in her nest..ldskidmore wrote:Is it unusual for a martin to stay in the nest during a nest check. This happened yesterday while I was checking a Trio house. I am now thinking I should go back and check to see if it is trapped in some way. Or should I wait until my next nest check which is due 6/2.
Thanks
Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio
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Kyler
- Posts: 899
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:15 pm
- Location: Colby, Kansas
- Martin Colony History: PMCA Member - Project MartinWatch - Enlarged Compartments - SREH - S&S Control - Mite Control - Predator Guards - Heat Control ( Vents and Insulation ) - Supplemental Feeding -
Manage 7 different colonies in Colby Kansas.
My last best check I had 3 females stay in and then the nest check before I had 6 females stay in. This is the first time I have had more than 1 stay in.
Kyler,
Kyler,
Purple Martin Landlords of Northwest KS
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9HDLGlbCmSYcSExIySwUQA
2013 - 0 Pair -
2014 - 1 Pair -
2015 - 0 Pair -
2016 - 5 Pair -
2017 - 18 Pair -
2018 - 22 Pair -
2019 - 28 Pair -
2020 - 40 Pair -
2021 - 40 Pair -
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9HDLGlbCmSYcSExIySwUQA
2013 - 0 Pair -
2014 - 1 Pair -
2015 - 0 Pair -
2016 - 5 Pair -
2017 - 18 Pair -
2018 - 22 Pair -
2019 - 28 Pair -
2020 - 40 Pair -
2021 - 40 Pair -
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ldskidmore
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Thu May 30, 2013 3:28 pm
- Location: TN/Greenback
Thank you all for your comments. They have eased my mind. I was concerned that it was stuck and couldn't get out
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3795
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
I had one stay in earlier this season before nest building was even complete. That is the first time I have had that happen. It has happened plenty when they are on eggs but never just sitting in a cavity with a partial nest. I don't handle mine, I just leave them as they are and check the other cavities and get the house back up as quick as I can.
2026 HOSP 29
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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TheSmiths
- Posts: 336
- Joined: Mon May 12, 2014 1:02 pm
- Location: Western KY
- Martin Colony History: •
•
Tried to attract PMs 2004; began more earnest attempt in 2014.
Current home site consisting of 2 modified Trio M12Ks, 4 ChirpyNests, and assorted artificial gourds, all enclosed in owl/hawk cages.
2018 — 3 pairs
2019 — 6 pairs
2020 — 12 pairs; barred owls late in season
2021 — 17 pairs; enclosed housing
2022 – 14 pairs
2023 – 18 pairs
2024 – 18 pairs
2025 – 24 pairs
2026 –
Manage FILs colony & public park colony. Attempting to start a colony at a wildlife refuge.
~20 years of providing housing for cavity nesting birds including Bluebirds, Carolina Wrens, House Wrens, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Great-Crested Flycatchers, Northern Flickers, & Prothonotary Warblers.
We haven't had martins long enough to have had that happen, however, we've previously had a chickadee and a couple of bluebirds stay on the nest while we were doing checks. This year we have a house wren who stays put.
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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! That sounds so cool, hope someday I get to experience that, I just love nature and wildlife.
Dave
Dave
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
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Rockchalk
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2016 3:39 pm
- Location: LaCygne, Kansas
- Martin Colony History: Following my mom's footsteps. Old 12 compartment 'Grandpa' at our weekend lake retreat. Reestablished site 2015.
Never had an adult stay but did lower my house last season after my little group had fledged. Had one fledgling take a ride down in an empty compartment. Both martin and I were surprised when we saw each other.
2016 - 1 pair - 4 fledged
2017 - 1 pair - 5 fledged
2018 - 3 pair - 11 fledged
2017 - 1 pair - 5 fledged
2018 - 3 pair - 11 fledged