Who are all these extra martins?

[Diane Porter]

Ever since our one SY pair started their nest, we've had three extra SY males hanging around.

But the last few days we've had even more. This morning there were ten, including two ASY males. Everyone was perching on the rack and flying around and singing their heads off like it was spring. It was really quite wonderful. I felt like I had a big colony, instead of one little pair of child parents.

So I'm wondering what these extra martins are doing, especially the ASY ones, who must belong to other colonies somewhere. Why are they hanging around this barely-there colony of one pair?

Any ideas?

[Laverne]

My idea is these extra birds are recently fledged families. So, you are seeing the fledglings and their parents.

I think the adults are attracted to your site because there are young in the nest. They have brought their new fledglings to your site to "show" them another "successful" place to come to next year when they return from migration.

I have been seeing the same behavior here for many weeks. I know from previous seasons, once the final nest has fledged all the visiting stops. So, enjoy it while you can -- they will all move on and it will be over before you know it and too quiet.

[Bulldog1]

Laverne,

That is what seems to have happened at my site. More martins that I have ever had on my rig one day and then yesterday nada.

But still a very successful year. Time to clean up and wait for next year.

[J Getting]

The same exact thing happened at my place,too. One pair, and the little ones will fledge in two days. It sure is fun watching all the birds flying around my houses!!! Jim

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

oops!

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Diane, that happens at our place also. There must have been some martins nearby that fledged before ours did this year because we suddenly got an influx of about 15 martins and most of them seemed to be hatch year martins. A few were ASY martins. They were not ours because they were very spooky, but they sure visited a whole lot. Martins are very social birds, they like to visit other colonies. We live only about 10 miles from a roost, and sometimes we get over a 100 visitors, they may have nested here, and they return to visit, or they may be strangers that like to visit. They are fun to watch, I enjoy sitting on a bench near the colony, and just sit and watch them late in the day, it relaxes me.

[Bulldog1]

I spoke too soon. Still have a bunch coming around on the setup around 9 in the morning. Since I leave for work at 6, I did not see them until today(Saturday).



You have to click on picture for video.

[DebA]

Isn't it cool? I love the visitors! My last nest has two babies and they are at the poke their heads out the entrance stage. So cute. There was lots of racket yesterday morning with several martins seeminly encouraging them out of the nest. I know it's soon to get quiet here.

I hope to put up new systems during the off season. I will probably leave my two S&K houses up and then take them down after next year. I love this hobby. Even when I'm busy outside not just martin gazing...just to hear their song is wonderful. To look up and see them overhead as they check out what I'm doing is the best. Oh the wistfulness of a season gone is starting to creep up on me.

Deb

[phldave]

Hey Diane,

Where in Iowa are you located? Sure would like some visitors at my place here in Pleasant Hill. Still playing dawn song 4am - 8am.

Dave

[Beth H]

I was just going to add that information to my post. Every time I go out to check the nest there are about 4 - 10 martins dive bombing my head. I wondered where these birds were coming from and who they were as I only have 1 nesting pair here. Thanks for the information.