Well This has been my best year yet, very little sparrow trouble, full Martin occupancy in the gourd rack and large hatch-ling numbers. Although I have lost a few martins to death - 2 dead in the gourds and I found 2 floating in my pond - this has been a stellar year for me. I counted 67 eggs before they hatched!
So my question is, since this year happened so much earlier than past years, will the Martins lay a second time with so much of the summer still available to them? Almost all the young have fledged and its only the first week of June. In previous years I wouldn't even have eggs yet.
It seems to me they would have plenty of time to lay a second bunch of eggs but I have no idea if that's a possibility. I can only wish they would at this point, I don't want to see them leave this early.
Best martin year so far - question.
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- 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.
Sorry I don't think a second brood will happen.
I think the only time this occurs is in a failure of the first brood. You are earlier this year due to having a more mature colony. I would think this is a normal time for your area for fledging. I am only a few weeks from that time myself up in PA.
Sounds like you had a great season. Congratulations.
Doug
I think the only time this occurs is in a failure of the first brood. You are earlier this year due to having a more mature colony. I would think this is a normal time for your area for fledging. I am only a few weeks from that time myself up in PA.
Sounds like you had a great season. Congratulations.
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.