Keeping track of dates and egg/hatchling counts

[JohnT]

I'm pretty good about writing everything on my calendar, and it paid off by letting me return babies to the right house when they fell out last year, but I'm starting to get enough gourds that it's a little cumbersome.

I've considered writing on top of the gourd or on the lid with a wax pencil. That way I'd know what should be in the gourd as I take the lid off without checking a paper. Anybody do anything similar?

[Louise Chambers]

That sounds like a smart idea - would make nest checks quicker too.

[JohnT]

Just wanted to update that this worked very well for me.

I just used a very simple notation. The date I saw something followed by a letter indicating what it was.

For example, one lid says 5/12N. 5/21 4E 5/26 5E 6/14 5C

Translation is I saw a PM nest for the first time on 5/12. Saw 4 eggs on 5/21 and 5 eggs on 5/26. 5 chicks on 6/14

[dhjohnson]

JohnT,
I have discovered that a simple voice recorder works very well. I just hang it aroung my neck and talk about what I observe. I start with the gourd number and gourd type, natural vs plastic and mention the entrance type, etc. I document nest construction progress, leaves or no leaves, eggs or no eggs! Mites or thankfully no mites. Hatchlings versus eggs, etc. I make myself go straight inside and write everything down in my notebook. Then, you have a complete detailed record for reference should any jump or come up missing. Kathy in VA uses a note on each lid to document date, eggs, hatchlings, etc so she knows where to put a jumper if she finds one!
Have a great martin season,
Debbie