mud nest
I've had them use mud or make " dry" nests . Must be a personal preference. 
2010: 5 pair - raptor attack .
2011 : nada .
2012 : 1 pair - 5 eggs / 5 fledged .
2013: zero
2014: Lots of visitors
2015 : several visitors . Seriously considering purchasing a drone to scare off raptors .
2011 : nada .
2012 : 1 pair - 5 eggs / 5 fledged .
2013: zero
2014: Lots of visitors
2015 : several visitors . Seriously considering purchasing a drone to scare off raptors .
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Leandortree
- Posts: 130
- Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:10 pm
- Location: Saskatchewan/Grenfell
Hello EGunter,
Mud is not all that unusual, about 10 to 15 percent of my birds pack in the mud, they make a mud dam just inside the entrance hole. Helps keep the nest hidden, from predators, and dry in wet windy weather!
I wish you the Best of Luck with your birds this season.
Mud is not all that unusual, about 10 to 15 percent of my birds pack in the mud, they make a mud dam just inside the entrance hole. Helps keep the nest hidden, from predators, and dry in wet windy weather!
I wish you the Best of Luck with your birds this season.
Saskatchewan "The land of living skies"
Leandortree colony
2012-46 pair 200+ Fledged
Leandortree colony
2012-46 pair 200+ Fledged
Hi EGunterTX.
Here's a neat thread on the topic (with photos), by forum member Steve Kroenke:
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15044
Like Leandortree and Siberman mentioned, it is intriguing how Martins nesting in the same location with the same variables (housing, nest materials available, etc.), some build mud dams, and some do not.
Here's a neat thread on the topic (with photos), by forum member Steve Kroenke:
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15044
Like Leandortree and Siberman mentioned, it is intriguing how Martins nesting in the same location with the same variables (housing, nest materials available, etc.), some build mud dams, and some do not.
Matt-- Thanks! That's fascinating. I will re-read it in depth.
This is interesting, as the same double compartment was "dirty" last year. I just thought the family was messy & never checked to see exactly what the mess was. This year they built the dam. Probably the same female?
Also interesting is that this was in the inner compartment of 2 connected 6x6s. I believe I read that the author hadn't seen any mud dams under those circumstances.
Live & learn.
This is interesting, as the same double compartment was "dirty" last year. I just thought the family was messy & never checked to see exactly what the mess was. This year they built the dam. Probably the same female?
Also interesting is that this was in the inner compartment of 2 connected 6x6s. I believe I read that the author hadn't seen any mud dams under those circumstances.
Live & learn.
This year for me had the biggest variation in nests. Some with mud dams and sticks, some with just a few leaves.
PMCA member
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
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Fredmyyster
- Posts: 280
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:30 pm
- Location: Tennessee/ Nashville
Leandor, thats whats happning here too, thanks !
Empty POOLS are a Delight ! !
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Carlton
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 6:42 pm
- Location: Florida/Deerfield Beach
- Martin Colony History: I moved to South Florida, from Delaware, in August of 2015.
I care for a 6 condo Sunset House as well as two Deluxe Gourd Racks, with 24 Chirpynest/Excluder gourds, along a canal in Pompano Beach, Florida.
At Quiet Waters Park, nearby in Deerfield Beach, I care for a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 TVG's. I also care for a Deluxe Gourd rack with 12 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder entrances. I am substituting 6 Chirpynest boxes for 6 of the Conley II entranced gourds in 2026.
At another local park, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, I care for a Trendsetter 12, 5 gourds rack with 60 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder Entrances and 1 Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 Troyer Vertical Gourds with Starling Stoppers over the Conley II's to keep out smaller starlings.
They really do vary in their nesting materials.
I have one that always uses tiny, lightweight shells in their nest. There are usually about 8-10 small, whole mollusk shells in the nesting material.
I have one that always uses tiny, lightweight shells in their nest. There are usually about 8-10 small, whole mollusk shells in the nesting material.
Nesting here this year my guys are using ALOT of mud. Building larger nests too? I will see the martins drop onto the ground in the back of the yard where we have no grass growing during rainy season. They scoop up and fly right to nest. Glad someone is enjoying our mud pen. 
D'Nese in Tennessee
2009-new house up, many visitors no one stayed
2010-3 pairs, 14 eggs, 9 babies 9 fledged
2011 20 pairs, 106 eggs, 79 fledged
2012 37 pair, 120 fledged
2013 37 pair, 173 fledged
2009-new house up, many visitors no one stayed
2010-3 pairs, 14 eggs, 9 babies 9 fledged
2011 20 pairs, 106 eggs, 79 fledged
2012 37 pair, 120 fledged
2013 37 pair, 173 fledged