I did my 5 day nest checks for the week. Gained a couple more pairs so...
72/ Active Pairs/260 Babies/54 Eggs/ Total=314
My last nest check revealed some fairly heavy damage by SY males, 14 babies lost. It was much better this week with 1 loss and a few eggs. I wish these few remaining SY males could find a mate. I'm still seeing a few new birds occasionally, although it's about dried up, there may still be a couple possibilities for more pairs.
Quick Update
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Steve Kroenke
- Posts: 4342
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:49 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Logansport
Hey Scott,
Thanks for sharing that great martin update with us! It looks like your martin colony has grown this year. Your numbers are great and reflect all the hard work you have done to protect your colony and offer good housing.
Those late arriving bachelor SY males are real problems for colonies with many small martin nestlings. The males are trying to find territory and mates and these males will definitely remove small babies if given the chance. I have a number of SY males that are causing problems right now.
By now the number of available female martins is greatly diminished in our area though occasionally a late female will successfully pair with a late male.
Keep us posted on the Forum about your martin colony.
Steve
Thanks for sharing that great martin update with us! It looks like your martin colony has grown this year. Your numbers are great and reflect all the hard work you have done to protect your colony and offer good housing.
Those late arriving bachelor SY males are real problems for colonies with many small martin nestlings. The males are trying to find territory and mates and these males will definitely remove small babies if given the chance. I have a number of SY males that are causing problems right now.
By now the number of available female martins is greatly diminished in our area though occasionally a late female will successfully pair with a late male.
Keep us posted on the Forum about your martin colony.
Steve
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Scott D.- La
- Posts: 823
- Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:35 am
- Location: Louisiana
Thanks Steve,
I had a close call today with a SY male. I'm trying to watch for it, best I can. I still have those resident Coopers also to watch out for. I'm sure they can't wait for fledge time.
I had a close call today with a SY male. I'm trying to watch for it, best I can. I still have those resident Coopers also to watch out for. I'm sure they can't wait for fledge time.
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Sam Fertitta
- Posts: 129
- Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:43 am
- Location: Leesville, Louisiana
That is a great report Scott. Only problem......Your going to
make me have do a nest check to see if I can keep up the
Louisiana numbers.
Sam
make me have do a nest check to see if I can keep up the
Louisiana numbers.
Sam
Pmca is solely responsible for ending a ten year drought to start a colony. Many Many Thanks!!!
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birdy girl
- Posts: 1179
- Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:09 am
- Location: Mississippi/Dumas
Those SY's are being bad boys at your place. Sorry for your losses. Your numbers are great. We saw a large group of martins roost in our pines tonight. I feel pretty sure they will be leaving out tomorrow from here to go to their new home. I hope your SY's find mates and calm down.