Martin Pair On Schedule

[LindaP]

Yesterday my martin pair arrived on schedule May 21, 2012. I don't know why they are so late every year. I tell myself that they live on the far side of Brazil. I've almost given up when I hear them before I even see them. My hubby thought I was playing the Dawn Song.

I use excluder doors (Thank God! These odd entry holes just now kept a starling from entering) and one crescent door. But as soon as I open the house HS move in. I installed the repeating trap below with lots of bread to attract the HS. Wish I had some of their nesting material. That would score with the dirty little critters. When things settle down with my PMs I'll set the compartment trap. I've found that it's much harder to flush the HS now that the compartments are double. I have a Trio Castle and wish it would fill up with PMs every year.

But I have the one loyal pair and I'm happy with that success. They fledge 2 babies each year. That's why it's so important that I clear the trash birds as quickly as I can. I suspect that HS or starlings might have removed eggs in the past. They've had 6 eggs and suddenly there were only 2. Thanks Steve Garr for your advice.
:-D
Linda

[DornCounty]

Interesting story. Nearly 2 months later than most. I feel there are some like that around here too. The just seem to keep multiplying and there are several nests that have no eggs yet, but do have birds. They don't seem to care that fledging will occur late july early aug.

It would be interesting to put the geolocaters on that pair.