i didnt have any nesting material to add when i put up my gourds...i got some pine needles today and was wondering..since i have 8 pair already in gourds...would it be ok to let down the gourds and add to them now, they havent started nest building yet...or could i just set them out in pile up off the ground for them to come get themselves? or would they come get them?
thanks
nesting material
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Tim Mangan-Kansas
- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:25 am
- Location: Kansas, Pittsburg
- Martin Colony History: 2016 - 22 Pair
You will possibly get conflicting answers to your question. You had six pair last year and most likely some of the birds you now have are some of the six pair who are attached to your site.
I would go ahead and add the pine needles to help them with the nest building process. If you are leary about doing this, just add the needles to one or two gourds and observe those pairs when they return. If they accept the needles, which I believe they will, then go ahead and add the needles to the remaining gourds.
Tim
I would go ahead and add the pine needles to help them with the nest building process. If you are leary about doing this, just add the needles to one or two gourds and observe those pairs when they return. If they accept the needles, which I believe they will, then go ahead and add the needles to the remaining gourds.
Tim
Licensed Bander
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
...and I can tell you that I would have no fear. I would fill those gourds up to the bottom of the entrance hole. Settling during the season will cause the level to drop considerably. I use cedar chips in the bottom and then top that off with an inch or so of pine needles.
I say I would have no fear because during the years I have made many modifications mid-season. There were times when a mite infested gourd caused baby martins to jump. I took the infested gourd down and replaced it with another gourd filled as described above, replaced baby martins and the parent martins never even broke stride with their care of their young.
I know these are newly arrived martins, but they are returning birds and they will not be so easy to scare off. I believe they will welcome some nesting material to snuggle in.
Best wishes for a great season!
Sincerely,
Laverne
I say I would have no fear because during the years I have made many modifications mid-season. There were times when a mite infested gourd caused baby martins to jump. I took the infested gourd down and replaced it with another gourd filled as described above, replaced baby martins and the parent martins never even broke stride with their care of their young.
I know these are newly arrived martins, but they are returning birds and they will not be so easy to scare off. I believe they will welcome some nesting material to snuggle in.
Best wishes for a great season!
Sincerely,
Laverne
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
Pack it in! Well you know, like Laverne said. The ones you have now will likely thank you for it.