Tomorrow will be week 3 for my hatchlings. They seem to be well. The weather has been in mid to upper 90s over the past few days but food is plentiful. Quite a few dradonflies were brought in today as well.
One thing I do notice is as the parents approach I can now spot little heads poking out the opening with beaks wide open. Then they disappear after the parents leave.
Any advice for the last week? Weather will not be as hot over the next few days as the wind will turn south off of the gulf. Thunderstorms and heavier cloud cover accompany south winds when this happens, so temps will be in upper 80s and maybe 90ish over the next week.
Should I stop doing nest checks? I'm worried they are big enough now to jump while the gourds lower down. But it seems when we have done so recently they huddle together deep inside as we lower the gourds.
I'm thinking any time after week 4 we can expect them to fledge. I think I read 30 days somewhere
Hatchlings at 3 weeks in Slidell
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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.
Dsonyay,
Martins usually fledge at 28 days.
About nest checks there are two things you can do. You either can stop nest checks at 19-20 days or you can continue to do nest checks using the cup and string method to do nest checks. Here the link about what I'm talking about http://www.purplemartin.org/forumarchiv ... eckold.htm. I tried it last year it was worked well and I didn't have any premature fledged. I wouldn't recommond you continue nest checks from 26 days on because the young will bolt out of the nest with the slights movement from the pole.
Landonn
Martins usually fledge at 28 days.
About nest checks there are two things you can do. You either can stop nest checks at 19-20 days or you can continue to do nest checks using the cup and string method to do nest checks. Here the link about what I'm talking about http://www.purplemartin.org/forumarchiv ... eckold.htm. I tried it last year it was worked well and I didn't have any premature fledged. I wouldn't recommond you continue nest checks from 26 days on because the young will bolt out of the nest with the slights movement from the pole.
Landonn
2010 1 pair at each site. Plus some unmated subadults hanging around at both sites.
2009 Had a lone subadult spend the summer
2008 visitors.
2009 Had a lone subadult spend the summer
2008 visitors.
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
It really helps to have an extra pair of hands for nest checks with older young. We check the records and plan ahead so we have plugs for every nest with young 22 days or older. Earliest possible fledge date is 26 days, a very few fledge at 24 or 25, but many stay in nest 28-30 days. Perhaps this year we are seeing more of that due to drought.
On yesterday's weekly check, we also plugged cavities that might have fledged (young older than 26 days old) and found some nests still had nestlings although they were 30 days old.
The plug/string method worked well - one person lowers the system and the second plugs cavities as soon as they are in reach. No one talks while we're lowering the system, although the adults have probably told the kids 'they're baaack'
I like to use an LED flashlight to help count heads quicker, then the plug goes back in.
If we see older nestlings looking out of entrances as we approach, a long cane pole is held in front of their nest, and they duck inside. So the above is our routine, works well for us and the martins are pretty used to it too. Nest checks are very fast now since most are fledged.
On yesterday's weekly check, we also plugged cavities that might have fledged (young older than 26 days old) and found some nests still had nestlings although they were 30 days old.
The plug/string method worked well - one person lowers the system and the second plugs cavities as soon as they are in reach. No one talks while we're lowering the system, although the adults have probably told the kids 'they're baaack'
I like to use an LED flashlight to help count heads quicker, then the plug goes back in.If we see older nestlings looking out of entrances as we approach, a long cane pole is held in front of their nest, and they duck inside. So the above is our routine, works well for us and the martins are pretty used to it too. Nest checks are very fast now since most are fledged.
Last edited by Louise Chambers on Mon Jun 20, 2011 8:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
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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.
OK, thanks for the tips... I will probably have one last check today. They are 21 days today. My wife or son usually helps and it goes well-- except for the mom who swoops at us constantly. She's very protective (which I'm actually glad to see).
So maybe Sunday (day 27) we may actually see them start to leave. I have to work on the Monday, which is day 28. If they fledge while I'm working it would be fun to see them outside the gourds still taking flying lessons that evening. But the site may be empty by that evening as others seem to experience.
It's a very exciting week-- I'm so glad to see max temps falling to low 90s and upper 80s. This strong south wind will add lots of afternoon cloud cover to keep things cooler and by Wednesday we should start seeing lots of shower activity throughout our area. This will be a welcome relief for the little chicks. They had a hot two weeks.
So maybe Sunday (day 27) we may actually see them start to leave. I have to work on the Monday, which is day 28. If they fledge while I'm working it would be fun to see them outside the gourds still taking flying lessons that evening. But the site may be empty by that evening as others seem to experience.
It's a very exciting week-- I'm so glad to see max temps falling to low 90s and upper 80s. This strong south wind will add lots of afternoon cloud cover to keep things cooler and by Wednesday we should start seeing lots of shower activity throughout our area. This will be a welcome relief for the little chicks. They had a hot two weeks.