Do parent martins stay in the nest after the chicks hatch?

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brent
Posts: 1280
Joined: Sat Feb 10, 2018 2:43 pm
Location: Raceland, Louisiana

Just wondering if the adults stay in the nest box at night once the chicks are hatched. Does anyone know? I know it would be very crowded as the chicks grow…
Brent
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Phil01
Posts: 346
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:42 pm
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Martin Colony History: 52 Cavities offered.
24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. K-18 gourd rack all Troyer Horizontal Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.

2020- 1 pair, 4 eggs, fledged 3
2021- 3 pair, 15 eggs, fledged 8
2022- 5 pair, 26 eggs, fledged 21
2023- 10 pair, 53 eggs, fledged 27
2024- 26 pair, 125 eggs, fledged 83
2025- 32 pair, 182 eggs, fledged 134
2026- Added a Troyer K-18 all Troyer Horizontal.
PMCA Member

Hey Brent, I’ve noticed, here anyway, at first they do but as the chicks get older a lot of them don’t spend the night but return to start feeding in the mornings. It does vary a little for each pair. Some of the females will spend the night till they fledge.. Most of my males don’t.

Good luck this season,
Phil
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
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brent
Posts: 1280
Joined: Sat Feb 10, 2018 2:43 pm
Location: Raceland, Louisiana

Thanks Phil. That’s good to know because now at dusk there is no activity but early morning it’s fierce feeding. Lots of chicks here. 72 total and one nest with 6 eggs that should hatch on the 5th.
Brent
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