I just checked my martin housing and found the first egg of the season. It is the only one so it was layed (yes that is the correct spelling for an egg) today. It is much later than in previous years but it has been such a cold spring. (even for Florida.) One thing I noticed is that because of the cold and rainy weather the birds spent a lot of time sitting in the entrance of their gourds and there is a build up of feces near the entrance to each gourd. I have not seen this in the past. Usually there is no feces build up until the chicks are at least half grown. (And some birds are better housekeepers than others.)
Anyway, it has begun. It looks like it is going to be a good year in spite of the cold, late start and a few deaths. Almost every gourd I have at home is occupied already and the SY have just started to arrive. At work my colonies also look pretty full.
Here's to a great season everyone
James
First Martin Egg of the Season!
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
James,
Thanks for the eggciting news
We have been discussing first egg dates recently, and are using martinwatch data to create a map/calendar. Earliest egg dates are always from FL, and I think landlords around Naples have had a few eggs in late Feb, but it's usually March.
Thanks for the eggciting news
We have been discussing first egg dates recently, and are using martinwatch data to create a map/calendar. Earliest egg dates are always from FL, and I think landlords around Naples have had a few eggs in late Feb, but it's usually March.James i noticed the same thing a lot of feces around the entrances this year. like you said it might be the cold we have had here in Florida its still not were we should be day time in the 80.
Im about 2 weeks behind with egg laying this time last year i had over 50 eggs this year none so far
Im about 2 weeks behind with egg laying this time last year i had over 50 eggs this year none so far
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FlaSpartan
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:46 am
- Location: Florida/Clermont
James -
Congrats on reporting the first egg of the season. Hopefully our colony over here in Clermont will be next! I noticed the same feces build up that you mentioned. I even put it out on the forum as I didn't remember them ever being so messy in past seasons. I did a thorough cleaning several weeks ago and had to do one more touch up last weekend. I didn't want the groups that I'm planning on having over this season to be turned off by the poop!
Have you noticed a similar situation at the Epcot colony? (My husband, John, & I met you there a few years ago when we volunteered during the Flower & Garden show.) Lots of birds over here - spotted an SY female but no SY males to report yet.
Nancy McCarthy
Congrats on reporting the first egg of the season. Hopefully our colony over here in Clermont will be next! I noticed the same feces build up that you mentioned. I even put it out on the forum as I didn't remember them ever being so messy in past seasons. I did a thorough cleaning several weeks ago and had to do one more touch up last weekend. I didn't want the groups that I'm planning on having over this season to be turned off by the poop!
Have you noticed a similar situation at the Epcot colony? (My husband, John, & I met you there a few years ago when we volunteered during the Flower & Garden show.) Lots of birds over here - spotted an SY female but no SY males to report yet.
Nancy McCarthy
There is no greater thrill than interacting with nature. Fledged 144 in 2014.
I participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH.
I participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH.