confused landlord or female martin

[H Key]

Did nest check on may-23 and had 1 egg in #10 and today did nest check and had 2 eggs in #9 and 2 eggs in #10. I can see these 2 cavities from deck and looks like there is only one bird going in both places so don't know what's up, so maybe some of you have had similar thing? Hope to hear some input.

Hubert

[John Miller]

The females will sometimes get mixed up -- as well as landlords. If you're sure it's the former, you could move two eggs into the most well-built nest, or move into the first gourd where an egg appeared, and maybe even plug the empty gourd. But watch closely. John M

[chickadee]

have heard of a female doing this. but I have never had it happen. I do have a pair that has made 2 nest this year in gourds. I watched carefully to be sure of this. and what I did was picked for them witch one they was going to use. I did this by going out and turning one of the gourds to face a different way. by the end of the day I had a subbie pair in it. and they layed eggs in the one I did not turn. so now that you have eggs spread out I am not sure how I would handle that. just make sure you watch and make sure this is the case.

[H Key]

Thanks John: Next nesting activity I'll try to determine also I'll check nest tomorrow for according my dates she should be sitting as no egg would have been laid today. Thanks again. Hubert

[H Key]

Thanks for input Chickadee and John. Had no more eggs laid in #9 or #10 so since last were laid in #9 and had a good nest I put eggs out of #10 in there and blocked #10 hole. The eggs in #10 were in back corner on bare floor. I'll watch this evening to see how it goes. Hubert