Well, my journey has come to screeching halt as far as starting my colony this year. The ASY martin (Buddy) that was working so hard to recruit members and had paired with an SY female, has not returned for two nights. I am pretty sure he was killed by a local Cooper's hawk yesterday. I am very bummed. I am really surprised that it is affecting me this way. I had no idea that a bird would cause me to feel such a sense of loss.
On a better note, my Bluebirds have started fledging today. It brought me great joy to see them peering out of the nest box this afternoon.
Anyways, keep me and Buddy in your prayers. I really miss him.
Chuck, you and Buddy are in my thoughts and prayers! I have a little guy who's been here for several weeks -- every night I sit on my porch and wait for him to go into "his" cavity. More than once, he has either missed coming back, or I've not seen him go in -- but it worries me when I don't see him. I would feel sad, too. Hope your Buddy is okay somewhere and comes home!
I cant believe how ive become attached to this new hobby. I look forward to every morning and evening. I have a pair that has built a nest, and am nervous about them making it. As soon as I see eggs
( hopefully), My nerves will really be on edge. Hang in there. It'll happen for you again.
Thinking about you tonight Chuck. It really is amazing how these 'birds' just manage to fly into our hearts and take up room. Glad to hear of fledging BB babies though. Here's to hoping for more of all.
Tiffeny N. - Horn Lake, MS - PMCA member
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Since 2012
flyin-lowe wrote:I would give it a couple more days. It would not be unheard of for a Martin that has not yet nested to disappear for a couple days.
Hi flyin-low! Thanks for posting. So, I stepped out back just a few minutews ago, and guess what? There was a subbie male and a subbie female on my housing! Maybe I'm still in the game after all.
I will keep my fingers crossed that maybe Buddy gas taken a vacation
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.
I know what you mean... I feel like the martins in my yard are family too. I'm away from home on a deployment and will miss them hatch and fledge. I'm worried about something happening and not being there to catch it.
But I suppose they are used to living in the wild and will easily overcome whatever nature throws at them. They are wild creatures- wired very differently from us; I don't think anything that happens to them is a letdown. They just hit the "restart button" and go on as if nothing ever happened. I feel better when I think of it that way.
We, on the other hand, are far more complex and emotional. Not to say this is bad, but just something different.
Don"t worry too much about it... you can only do so much. Improve where you can, and it will work out. They'll be back.. maybe not the same birds, but they'll be back. I don't think martins are deterred by hawks- it's just one more thing they deal with.
Chuck, I'm in my first year as a landlord and I only have one pair so far. I too, am amazed at how my heart has been captured by these birds. For me they have been a gift from God. Your story is a reminder for me to treasure each day they're here because nature can be cruel sometimes. I hope your new subbie prospects decide to stay and that Buddy returns as well. Congratulations on the fledging Blue Birds. I've only seen that happen once and what a great experience that is! Thank goodness Mother Nature gives us much more than she takes away. Saying a prayer for you tonight.
Never Give Up!
2012 First Year 1 SY pair 7 fledged, 2013 1 SY pair 1 ASY pair 4 fledged, 2014 1 SY pair 2 ASY pair 10 fledged
Martin Colony History: 2002 -Coates metal houses- about 18 pairs 2005 - Added a gourd rack- many more pairs 2007 - Added another gourd rack, gave the Coates houses away 2008-2015 - Experimented with many gourds & a few racks (its a sickness) fledged over 200 chicks/year. Hubby keeps records, not me. :-) 2016 - 64 gourds and expect most will be occupied
I'm so sorry you lost your feathered friend. My hubby gets attached to them too and I kind of love him even more for being so protective of the birds. You are a good man.
Jean S
2002 - Coates metal houses- about 18 pairs
2005-2007 - added a gourd rack, then another gourd rack = many more pairs
2008-2015 - Experimented with many gourds & a few racks (its a sickness) fledged over 200 chicks/year
2016 - 64 gourds and expect most will be occupied
Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Unless you saw it happen I would doubt the hawk got him.
More than likely he found a female and she dragged him off elsewhere.
Don't be surprised if within 5 days to a week he returns with a girlfriend. Once a week has gone by it is likely he may not return. But he still could.
Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
Doug Martin - Fombell Pa wrote:Unless you saw it happen I would doubt the hawk got him.
More than likely he found a female and she dragged him off elsewhere.
Don't be surprised if within 5 days to a week he returns with a girlfriend. Once a week has gone by it is likely he may not return. But he still could.
Doug
Hi Doug. Thanks for posting. I didn't see it, but there was a hawk "incident" last Friday. There are two other colonies about 1/2 mile or less from where I am. I could hear the martins screaming, and I saw a hawk flying away (although I didn't notice a martin in tow). But it was at a good distance.
The ASY male was stopping by religiously until Friday evening, and I have not even heard him flying overhead anymore at all. However, it is possible he may have headed out too. I am still hoping he could return, and it sounds like there is still a chance.
I am very bummed. I am really surprised that it is affecting me this way. I had no idea that a bird would cause me to feel such a sense of loss.