I still have 2 fledglings spending the night. They are very clumsy at landing. No sign of the parents. The last group fledged on July 15. I'm 9 days away from having martins here for 6 months! I'm certainly not complaining about them, but at what point should I be concerned if they don't leave?
Wyatt
Did they get left behind?
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bwenger
- Posts: 1057
- Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2005 7:24 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania/Espyville/Pymatuning Reservoir Area
- Martin Colony History: Taking care of 11 active public colonies and trying to start two more in northwestern PA. Also attempting to restart another one in southwestern PA, in Collier Township's Hilltop Park. In 2017, not sure what happened but the ASY male returned and then a couple of weeks later he was gone. It could have been weather related. No other birds showed up. I had a starling nesting at the Public site that I had trouble getting rid of.
In 2018, we fledged 629 martins at all of the sites.
Wyatt,
I am no expert by far, but I would say enjoy them while you can. It seems like instincts will kick in at some point, and they will take off.
Who knows, some migrating martin may stop by some evening and tell them about the land of many bugs, and it may be just enough to have them pack there bags and say goodbye until next year.
Watch over them until they leave!
Bill
I am no expert by far, but I would say enjoy them while you can. It seems like instincts will kick in at some point, and they will take off.
Who knows, some migrating martin may stop by some evening and tell them about the land of many bugs, and it may be just enough to have them pack there bags and say goodbye until next year.
Watch over them until they leave!
Bill
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Guest
Martins may leave their babies and fledglings at the old site for a few nights at the end of the season. The parents will probably leave at night, but they will be back shortly after daylight. The night that they decide to leave, the parents will not let them enter the cavities, they squak and sort of fight them when they try to enter a cavity, then they all leave together. I have seen this behavior, but don't know if it always happens like that.
Its not even unusual for the parents to leave every night for 2 weeks prior to the babies fledging. This kind of behavior occurs only at the end of the season, when all the rest of the martins are at the roost.
Its not even unusual for the parents to leave every night for 2 weeks prior to the babies fledging. This kind of behavior occurs only at the end of the season, when all the rest of the martins are at the roost.
I guess that's why they're still here. Thanks guys.-
KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
Wyatt,
A group of about 12 martins just circled my site a few minutes ago. I told them to pass through FL and pick up your babies.
Seriously, I can't answer your question, but I agree with the others. I think they'll get the "urge" and migrate when they are ready.
A group of about 12 martins just circled my site a few minutes ago. I told them to pass through FL and pick up your babies.
Seriously, I can't answer your question, but I agree with the others. I think they'll get the "urge" and migrate when they are ready.
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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Bill & Kelley Shields
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:31 am
- Location: Pleasant Hope, MO
That's pretty cool Wyatt... You folks down south probably get quite a few passers through for the next few weeks from up here in the midwest and beyond. I was thinking it should pretty much be over here in Missouri but Kathy has some lookers today and I don't know what's happening to my birds.... As this is my first year of keeping any records I don't really have a benchmark but I still have a lot of activity Anywhere from 20 to 100 birds show up daily around 10am and hang till 4 or 6 then go do their roost thing I guess... Maybe it's the new gourd rack my neighbor built for me that's got em all excited. We put it up a couple of weeks ago and within minutes it was covered up! Pretty neat deal. I'm just gonna enjoy every minute while I can. I'll tell em to come say hey on the way by.
Bill
Anywhere from 20 to 100 birds show up daily around 10am and hang till 4 or 6 then go do their roost thing I guess... Maybe it's the new gourd rack my neighbor built for me that's got em all excited. We put it up a couple of weeks ago and within minutes it was covered up! Pretty neat deal. I'm just gonna enjoy every minute while I can. I'll tell em to come say hey on the way by.Bill
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Is this fun or what?!!
PMCA Member
PMCA Member
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Guest
Wyatt -
I have wondered about that also.\, so I'm glad you asked. I don't have the problem here since my four proved they weren't tooo fat to get out the doorway! Plus my site is basically residential with no ponds for a half mile, so I won't have any late nesters (or any large crowds
)
But I won't have to worry about others posted on the forum.
You are one lucky dood.
I have wondered about that also.\, so I'm glad you asked. I don't have the problem here since my four proved they weren't tooo fat to get out the doorway! Plus my site is basically residential with no ponds for a half mile, so I won't have any late nesters (or any large crowds
)But I won't have to worry about others posted on the forum.
You are one lucky dood.
yes, it has been a long PM season.
The first birds arrived February 20, and August 1 they are still here....going into the 7th month. There are 10-20 PM's still hanging around housing.
I had thought that all the PM's were finished nesting on June 30, but a late nest started up on the far side of the T-14 (next to the pond), and wasn't aware of it until about 10 days ago. Since I can't be sure when they hatched, the fledge date is unknown, but it should be soon.
The temperature has been over 100 degrees almost every day for a month with no end in sight. If the hatchlings can survive this, they can survive anything.
geezer
The first birds arrived February 20, and August 1 they are still here....going into the 7th month. There are 10-20 PM's still hanging around housing.
I had thought that all the PM's were finished nesting on June 30, but a late nest started up on the far side of the T-14 (next to the pond), and wasn't aware of it until about 10 days ago. Since I can't be sure when they hatched, the fledge date is unknown, but it should be soon.
The temperature has been over 100 degrees almost every day for a month with no end in sight. If the hatchlings can survive this, they can survive anything.
geezer
#PMCA #birding #birders
Kathy,
Send your visitors on my way! I'm sure my guys will be happy to hitch a ride.
Bill,
Your gourd rack looks great! No wonder the birds love it.
Liz,
Get ready for the crowds next year. That house is going to be busy!
Geezer,
Good luck with that last group. It sounds like your season's going to be even longer than mine!
Wyatt
Send your visitors on my way! I'm sure my guys will be happy to hitch a ride.
Bill,
Your gourd rack looks great! No wonder the birds love it.
Liz,
Get ready for the crowds next year. That house is going to be busy!
Geezer,
Good luck with that last group. It sounds like your season's going to be even longer than mine!
Wyatt
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The Olsons
- Posts: 3200
- Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: North Padre Island, TX
Wyatt,
I had that happen before and was really concerned as well that maybe they got left behind. Then one morning I positioned myself at the window while still dark outside to see what was going on. Sure thing, the Mom came right before sun rise and picked up the babies at the gourd. The next morning she sat across the housing calling them and the third morning she was flying around calling them and they would follow her. Since your fledglings are out and about all day I am pretty sure they are fine and the parents do keep an eye on them from distance
Astrid
I had that happen before and was really concerned as well that maybe they got left behind. Then one morning I positioned myself at the window while still dark outside to see what was going on. Sure thing, the Mom came right before sun rise and picked up the babies at the gourd. The next morning she sat across the housing calling them and the third morning she was flying around calling them and they would follow her. Since your fledglings are out and about all day I am pretty sure they are fine and the parents do keep an eye on them from distance
Astrid
Love it or leave it~~~Astrid :-)
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Guest
Hey Wyatt,
My last nest fledged last week. 4 of them. They were gone for a couple of days then came back. Then they left again I thought. I happened to notice one evening just before dark all 6 came back and went straight in the house. The next morning at daylight they came out and left shortly after. This went on until this Tuesday. When they left Tue morning I guess they left for good. Been 103deg here in the daytime. Metal house probably too hot.
Looked out this morning and had approx. 1 dozen on my perch and house. They appeared to be really checking things out so I don't think they were residents. Maybe next year? They stayed a couple of hours then waved good bye. Gonna be lonesome when they are all gone with no visitors.
Peace and many martins,
My last nest fledged last week. 4 of them. They were gone for a couple of days then came back. Then they left again I thought. I happened to notice one evening just before dark all 6 came back and went straight in the house. The next morning at daylight they came out and left shortly after. This went on until this Tuesday. When they left Tue morning I guess they left for good. Been 103deg here in the daytime. Metal house probably too hot.
Looked out this morning and had approx. 1 dozen on my perch and house. They appeared to be really checking things out so I don't think they were residents. Maybe next year? They stayed a couple of hours then waved good bye. Gonna be lonesome when they are all gone with no visitors.
Peace and many martins,
We have our usual group return in the evening. The last two babies fledged on Monday. In the morning till about 1:00 pm, we have at least 20 martins visitng. I had the hose on spray and tilted it upwards and they had a wonderful time flying in and out of the spray. It was about 104 yesterday. I'll miss them. After their late arrival, they sure have been here quite a while.
We went and saw the Matin Roost in Tulsa. What a sight to behold. It was awesome to say the least.
We went and saw the Matin Roost in Tulsa. What a sight to behold. It was awesome to say the least.