Baldy returns

adrianhans · Fri Apr 01, 2011 2:20 pm

"Baldy" was not always "Baldy". As in life, some event precipitates that nickname. Last season, I heard a loud raucus going on in the Lone Star and saw that a fierce battle had resulted in wing entrapment. I quickly lowered the system to free the stuck male. Upon inspection, the feathers and skin had been ripped off the top of his head. Dazed, he flew off, and later resigned himself to occupy the next compartment over, his second choice. He went on to fledge a handsome family of five. I often wondered if those feathers would grow back after his molt.
This season, I heard another fight in the Lone Star. I had put some of those rubber insulation strips around the entrances to prevent wing entrapment. But, I saw wing feathers sticking out of every possible crevace. Suddenly, who is booted out in full view? It was Baldy trying to get his choice accomodations. He was defeated again, and has settled on another compartment. He has been singing the sweetest song and strutting his feathers, and again he has been successful. He has landed a real looker in spite of his bizarre appearance.
Isn't it fun to have one return you recognize?
BTW, I have been gone for 2 weeks so may have missed the big migration. I see about 5-10 extras at night, but nothing like last year when the weather slowed them down for a few days.

flyin-lowe · Fri Apr 01, 2011 2:22 pm

That is really cool. The only down side to that is you will notice when he does not return.

adrianhans · Fri Apr 01, 2011 2:50 pm

You are so right, flying-Lowe!! I am looking for another one that will make its 3rd season here. It is probably one of John and Louise's because it is a chow hound on the B & B tray. She is readily recognizable because she has a deformed wing on top. When she is perching, the wing sticks up and feathers are splayed to make her look like a hunchback on steroids. Of course, we have affectionately named her, "Crip". She lives at a neighbors system, but must make 100 trips a day to get eggs for her young.

Linda Reynolds · Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:59 pm

Adrian, you are a very special landlord, with a very special story and a very special martin............

Thanks so very much for sharing your stories and photos.

Tim Mangan-Kansas · Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:17 pm

Adrian:

I noticed baldy has a federal band. Do you have the background on him as far as how old he is, where he came from?

Tim

adrianhans · Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:03 pm

Thanks, Linda.
I have to admit that I have learned a lot from your posts

Tim,
I am sure this is one John Barrow's banding projects. I don't know how to get close enough to read numbers on bands. I don't have one of those spotting scopes. I am determined to get some readings on these birds' bands. Any suggestions?
Adrian

Tim Mangan-Kansas · Sat Apr 02, 2011 5:37 am

Adrian:

Even with a spotting scope, it is difficult to read a federal band. From the two pictures you posted, it is not known if there is an auxiliary marker on baldy's other leg. If there is, you might try to read the auxiliary marker. I believe John bands with both federal and colored auxiliary markers. If you are unable to get the martin to stay in one place long enough to look at it from different angles, then the best way to read the letters/numbers is to take a couple of pictures of the banded leg and then increase the size of the pictures in an effort to read them.

Tim