Help! only 1 martin out of 3 pair returned tonite!

[MRodgers]

I have another post, with our full martin history this year titled "Nailbiting new landlord story for those still waiting..." if you need any background info. this is our first year with ANY martins.

We need HELP! we don't know what to do. Last night, (wed the 7th) we had our normal martins come home for the night. The ASY adults, an SY pair that has stayed for about three days, and another SY pair that have been staying for almost two weeks. The SY pair that have been with us for two weeks layed one egg yesterday, or early this morning. (YEAEE!)

BUT, tonite (thur the 8th) the female that laid that egg was the only martin to come home. ??? we are missing the ASY pair, the 3-4 day SY pair, and the MALE to the SY female that laid an egg yesterday. ??

The adult pair still have one egg left, (lost 4 from a sparrow attack 4 days ago) but the adult female didnt come home to incubate the last egg?

Any ideas as to what is going on? All our martins were all here this morning before I left for work, plus some visitors, it was actually a very active morning for us. at Lunch time, my wife called me at work, and said the houses had martins all over them. But when I got home, (6:30pm) both our houses were empty, we did have a couple fly-by's, and some 30 second rest stops. But then only the new mom returned.

What should I do with the lone egg left by the adult pair? it isnt getting cold tonite, maybe 69degrees.. will the egg survive one night without warmth? Should i move it tomorrow into the remaining SY female's nest?

We are pretty much in a blind panic as to what to do. Any help from landlords with experience, or suggestions as to what we should do are greatly appreciated.

regards,
Michael
_______

[RC Moser]

Mike, IMO the sparrows are probably running them off tomorrow they will probably be stuffing grass over the egg. Try to get rid of the some how. shoot or trap. Sometimes the PMs will stay out late and zoom in just before dark. Especially it a hawk has be harassing them. Try to do something with the sparrows IMO they are the known threat.

[Guest]

I don't know what the experts would say. IMO I would leave be. They can be pretty fast sneaking in.
Could be so many things. Do you have owls? If she abandoned a good egg, I would think something must have gotten her. It would take alot for her to leave the egg...she came back to the egg after the sparrows, right? unless she assumed they were all done from the sparrows. Or unless she knows its a bad egg anyway.

[Guest]

It's really tough at times, but the advice is sound: try to take care of the known problem(s) that you've got. That will help the overall situation, and if you learn of new issues, you can tackle them then.
Sorry I don't have better advice.

- Steve

[MRodgers]

Thanks for the advice all. We stayed out watching for the martins return till well after dark, but saw nothing. As far as the HOSPS go, we have only ever seen one fly into any of the compartments, never more than one at a time, and thats over the last 6 weeks. I have been trying like crazy to shoot is duh, but he is quick, small, and stupid pellet guns dont always shoot where your aiming. I did order some nest traps to try and catch him/them.

The sparrows have actually not built a nest in any of the compartments, they have brought in a very small amount of grass, here and there, but i empty it out every day.

We dont have any owls around that we have ever heard, seen, or otherwise suspected. And I go outside to look around for 5 minutes or so several time a night, up till about 11, then i'm off to bed.

The thing that really strikes me as crazy, is the SY male not returning with his new SY female, one day after laying their first egg.

This morning everything seemed so lively and "normal". we were really thinking we had a good foothold on a colony. And then bam. They disappear. I just hope they will come back in the morning.

The abandoned egg still concerns me, it should survive the night ok, since its not cold down here in south TX this time of year. If the parents dont return tomorrow, and tend to the egg, i will probably move it to the lone SY female nest.

thanks again all.
Michael

[RC Moser]

As far as the Mate that not around I suspect something happened to it, IMO usually they don't go astray after nest building and egg laying. Even though the sparrow hasn't built a full nest yet. the little grass he has put in the compartment means he has taken that compartment and he will defend it against anything except a starling IMO. You also may have SY's checking it out but not yet commented or mated yet is why you see them around during the day.

[Dennis D]

Mrrogers I would just hold off a bit and see what happens today. Have you had rainy weather lately? They could have been out till dark feeding and then snuck in. This has happened many times to me. It is unlikely all the missing birds were taken by predators. I bet they will be back today.

[MRodgers]

Hi all, GOOD NEWS! The next morning all the martins returned! ?? I swear, these birds are going to add 10 years to my age. We still have no idea why they roosted away last night. But, the ASY pair are no longer going into their compartment with the lone egg, they have started building a new nest in a another compartment...

Thanks for everyones help.
Michael

PS: Jack the sparrow met his demise this morning. Lead poisoning.

[Dennis D]

Hi all, GOOD NEWS! The next morning all the martins returned! ?? I swear, these birds are going to add 10 years to my age. We still have no idea why they roosted away last night. But, the ASY pair are no longer going into their compartment with the lone egg, they have started building a new nest in a another compartment...

Thanks for everyones help.
Michael

PS: Jack the sparrow met his demise this morning. Lead poisoning.

You might want to check that compartment they deserted after you make sure they are done in there. There may be a reason they don't want to go in there.

[Guest]

Thanks for the advice all. We stayed out watching for the martins return till well after dark, but saw nothing. As far as the HOSPS go, we have only ever seen one fly into any of the compartments, never more than one at a time, and thats over the last 6 weeks. I have been trying like crazy to shoot is duh, but he is quick, small, and stupid pellet guns dont always shoot where your aiming. I did order some nest traps to try and catch him/them.

The sparrows have actually not built a nest in any of the compartments, they have brought in a very small amount of grass, here and there, but i empty it out every day.

We dont have any owls around that we have ever heard, seen, or otherwise suspected. And I go outside to look around for 5 minutes or so several time a night, up till about 11, then i'm off to bed.

The thing that really strikes me as crazy, is the SY male not returning with his new SY female, one day after laying their first egg.

This morning everything seemed so lively and "normal". we were really thinking we had a good foothold on a colony. And then bam. They disappear. I just hope they will come back in the morning.

The abandoned egg still concerns me, it should survive the night ok, since its not cold down here in south TX this time of year. If the parents dont return tomorrow, and tend to the egg, i will probably move it to the lone SY female nest.

thanks again all.
Michael

I had the same problem with the pellet guns... So I graduated to a 12 gauge!! I guess a person with close neighbors might not could use a shotgun but all you have to do with it is aim close and you will get him!!