I am a little confused on exact martins ages. but....did nest change on Monday, day 12, and found 40-50 large gorged blow flies. Did nest change. did nest change on day 14 and found 40-50 small gorged blow flies, and arm pits of babies very red.
today, day 15, the armpits are almost normal color, and found only 1 blowfly larve in nest (did another nest change, sprayed nest box with liquid Sevin according to Victor Stolls suggestion of 4 tablespoons per gallon of 22% Sevin)....also sprayed bottom layer of pine needles, and put some powder Seven under the nest box....
so babies looking good today...seem to be moving more....parents seem to be feeding more today too....
will change the nest boxes daily now for a few days.
so all is well.
blow flies during nest changes day 12, 14, and better 15
-
abernathys
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 8:40 am
- Location: maxwell/texas
Great news Sharon!! 
Keep up the good work. Sure glad we don't have to deal with blowflies here. Your babies love you!!! Good luck the rest of the season.
Sandy
Keep up the good work. Sure glad we don't have to deal with blowflies here. Your babies love you!!! Good luck the rest of the season.Sandy
PM lover
-
Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Great news Sharon
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
-
Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Yep, sounds like all your efforts have paid off.
Whew, that could have been read bad! Little PMs need their blood... I am thankful we don't have blowflies down here...
Are you gonna take that vacation? I'm not trying to say don't go - but, how much fun do you think you'll have while you're away and can't see what is happening with your Purple Martins. Maybe you could just postpone until after they fledge and head south...
Whew, that could have been read bad! Little PMs need their blood... I am thankful we don't have blowflies down here...
Are you gonna take that vacation? I'm not trying to say don't go - but, how much fun do you think you'll have while you're away and can't see what is happening with your Purple Martins. Maybe you could just postpone until after they fledge and head south...
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
-
Guest
Yeah....I am going to take off for about 5 days....my husband will be home....but he doesn't see much that is happening as he is always at his computer....he wants me to find a wildlife rehab person before I leave.... I told him he can always post here with a problem, or he can call me and I can come home....but its about a 9 hour trip away....I wouldn't leave if I thought they were going to have problems, but I think they are OK now, and I will be home before they come out on the porch....don't know what I would be able to do for them anyway, since I wouldn't be able to take the house down after Tuesday for fear they will jump.
Will do nest changes each day before I leave, with last one on Sunday. Now I know why you need a "bail" of pine needles. when I first saw the PMCA selling bails I couldn't imagine how you could use so much. I thought the little plastic bag I had would last forever. Now I am running out....will have to go find another white pine tree.
after sparrows, bats, mites, fleas, blow flies, squirrel, is there more??? I guess the only thing I haven't experienced is owls and hawks. Wasn't sure about putting up the hawk/owl fencing made with dowels put 2" apart...wasn't sure how babies would be able to land again. I know the bluebird babies are real clumsy when they first fly and don't seem to have the knack of landing.
Will do nest changes each day before I leave, with last one on Sunday. Now I know why you need a "bail" of pine needles. when I first saw the PMCA selling bails I couldn't imagine how you could use so much. I thought the little plastic bag I had would last forever. Now I am running out....will have to go find another white pine tree.
after sparrows, bats, mites, fleas, blow flies, squirrel, is there more??? I guess the only thing I haven't experienced is owls and hawks. Wasn't sure about putting up the hawk/owl fencing made with dowels put 2" apart...wasn't sure how babies would be able to land again. I know the bluebird babies are real clumsy when they first fly and don't seem to have the knack of landing.