Am I the last one with babies?

Owens · Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:53 pm

I love the numbers and success stories. This is our first year and we have learned EVERYTHING from you guys. We have one pair and two babies...born on July 4th. With help from a forum friend, we navigated nest changes and now the two babies are looking out of the gourd all the time..... Guess they will fledge tomorrow or the next day. Anyone else still waiting to fledge? I am thinking we are very late, but Ferdinand and Isabella have done great as first-time parents!

CMF · Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:39 pm

You are not alone. First year, one pair, 2 young were scheduled to fledge very soon (day 32) but didn't. I don't know which is worse, waiting for spring arrivals or waiting to see them fledge. Good luck with your young and the day we're anticipating.
CMF

My youngin

RC Moser · Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:44 pm

My last three just fledged sunday. Mine stuck their heads out for a week or more. So be patient there getting close.

Owens · Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:45 pm

I love the picture!!! Exactly what mine are doing. Keep me posted on yours fledging and I will do the same.

Owens · Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:47 pm

Thanks, RC.... sounds like the voice of experience.

ToyinPA · Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:23 am

I have a late nest & just had 3 chicks hatch a few days ago. I also had late nestings last year, but this one is later. All of the rest have fledged.

ToyinPA

KathyF · Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:23 am

Owens,
I bet you're the last one in Texas to have babies that haven't fledged.

It must be getting really hot down there by now!

Congratulations on a great first year! Be aware - next year it's going to get noisey at your place.

Guest · Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:55 am

Beautiful babies.
At this age they look like velvet plush toys. Makes me want to rub muzzles with them. Oops, sorry, I digress -

My what lovely looking babies; do they take after your side of the family?

Waiting for Scout .............

Waiting for Arrivals ..........

Waiting for Pairing ............

Waiting for Nest Building ...

Waiting for First Egg ..........

Waiting for Last Egg ...........

Waiting for Hatch Day ........

Waiting for Fledge Day .......

Waiting for Departure .........

Waiting for Bragging Rights ..

TreeGreenwood · Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:19 pm

Still one pair with young at my place plus a family group that came back to roost tonight. Won't be long before the last of mind depart.

Martin man RI · Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:30 pm

I may have the last of the martin young to fledge on 08/10 and 08/11
have a few this week and next week. One of my best years ever with
many SY birds that came in late in the season maybe due to lack of units
to nest in this area. And a sort of above normal population due to alot
of conservation work going on in nearby states.

Martin man RI · Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:30 pm

I may have the last of the martin young to fledge on 08/10 and 08/11
have a few this week and next week. One of my best years ever with
many SY birds that came in late in the season maybe due to lack of units
to nest in this area. And a sort of above normal population due to a lot
of conservation work going on in nearby states.

CMF · Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:10 pm

Well I missed it

They fledged before 7:00AM and I blew it. Now I am really at a loss because the entire family hasn't been seen all day and never came home tonight. What a HUGE let down if I don't get an opportunity to see them soar just once before they're off to South of the Border. Is this a common occurrence and do you think I'll get at least one glimpse?
Bummed out for now

CMF

Owens · Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:17 am

Oh my! Sounds like exactly my experience. They were here very early yesterday, but I had meetings beginning at 9. Kept my little cairn terrier inside all day in case a fledgling ended up on the ground. When I got home at 3:30---no purple martins---- didn't want to bring the house down ---but nothing.... this morning ---NOTHING---

A few minutes ago 4 flew overhead--- pretty high--- so that might have been my last goodbye this year. I'll probably be out there all morning hoping. I'll let you know and keep my fingers crossed that you and I both get to see the little ones on wing! (It did get to 101 here yesterday....so that might have speeded up their departure.)

KathyF · Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:18 am

CMF wrote: Well I missed it They fledged before 7:00AM and I blew it. Now I am really at a loss because the entire family hasn't been seen all day and never came home tonight. What a HUGE let down if I don't get an opportunity to see them soar just once before they're off to South of the Border. Is this a common occurrence and do you think I'll get at least one glimpse?
Bummed out for now
CMF

CMF,
I'm surprised they fledged so early in the morning. My last few did fledge mid-morning, due to all the pressure from the other residents. After that, it got quiet for a few days, then a family of 6 came around for a couple of days (4 fledges + parents) and hung out, so maybe you will get to see them. Migration pressure has started affecting them.

Next year when you get more, you'll have more opportunities to see them fledge. I had 36 fledges here, and as much time as I spent watching them, there were still 30 babies fledged before I witnessed the first one!

Owens · Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:10 am

Such polite guests!!! They did come back to say, "Thank you and see ya next year!" I took the pole down after 24 hours of seeing no activity; it was empty as I suspected. As I was putting it back up, the regular 3 martins flew overhead WITH MY TWO SMALLER, WHITER FLEDGLINGS IN TOW!!! What a thrill to see them flying!!!! I am sure I am hooked for life.

But my garden sure seems quiet today. My cardinal had mercy on me and has been hangin around singing.

CMF,
I sure hope you get the chance to see your little guys.
KathyF and all,
Thank you being my online mentors this year!

Now to planning for next year.............

Caroline94535-ND · Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:48 pm

I started a new colony in a new town this year; I'm about 20 miles north and west of my old 11-pair colony.

The PMs were later arriving here in Larimore than they were on the base. I wound up with one ASY pair. They have five chicks, from the five eggs, that hatched July 9th. They are still in the nest, fat and sassy. I guess they're due to fledge around Aug. 6.

I stood under the rack to day and whistled at them. I was afraid to lower the rack since they are older now. The gourd was still until I whistled. Then it started rolling and shaking; I could hear their anxious voices, too.

lockharttaylor · Sun Aug 03, 2008 1:32 pm

We still have 3 babies still, today one was on the porch was watching was hopping that mother wasn't going to push it off. She never did, they could fledge anyday, born around 7/11.

Gary and Susan