Joy quickly turns to #&%!@

[Gobbler T]

Well looks like I may be finnished before I get started. My babies hatched this morning and I've allready got an SY male throwing them out. I just happened to see one in the grass while comming in from the garden. Don't seem to be hurt less a very small skin person or two on it's back from the SY's beek. Lucky for it, the hot sun wasn't out today. I don't think they would last long in the direct heat. I know there's nothing that can be done, but it is so disheartning after waiting so long.

[phldave]

I sure hope mom and dad take care of that irresponsible adolescent causing the problem. Hang in there.

Dave

[MamaBruff]

OH, Man that is awful! I'm so sorry you are having trouble. Good thing you were there to find the little one! I would have been bawling my eyes out! Let's hope the Mom and Pop protect their babies better, and that Mr SY gets him a girlfriend! Why Oh Why do they do that? What a bummer!
Mary

[Glynn B - LA]

I'm sorry to here this. Damn the luck....... Having waited this long too.



Glynn

[DebA]

Ah crap. See mom and pop good thing he went into the forbidden zone afterall. Right place at the right time.
Nice save. This is where the fretting gets ahold of you.
Deb

[tonyg]

Unfortunately one of the trials and tribulations of martineering!! Glad you were there to put it back in the nest..maybe mom and dad will do a better job of protecting the place ..

[Gobbler T]

Not ever dealing with this before, Are they persistant enough that he will keep on until he kills them all, or can the parents keep him from it? I saw the ASY male give him a good lashing yesterday afternoon for some reason. I think it's too late for him to find a mate this year. I never thought I would want a martin to leave my place, but I wish this one was somewhere else. Is there any way to run one off? I was so mad after finding that baby, I went out and scared him off the rack. He just circled the yard and swooped down and scolded me!

I've never had an SY work so hard or bring in so many martins to my site than this one. One day last week he brought in 9 at one time. The yard was full of martins. I was smiling then, but not any more.

I understand that it happens, and if this makes sence, I don't think it would bother me as much if I had an established colony, but this being my founding pair, I'm afraid I'll be starting over again with the waiting next year if he kills them.

Is there any living creature thats not out to kill martins? Even other martin's!

[Barrowdog]

Please, please don't give up or go crazy either! One option is if it happens again and you have a rehab close enough you can take the fallen one to them . I had this happen late in one season and figured out only mom was trying to tend to them. If they go there they will need to be released with other martins. I have released matins for them with mine and they were accepted. Will they do wonderful we don't know but they and your colony will have a chance. I have since been trained and approved by them to finish raising orphans which is a full time job but also fun! I know how much you want this to work and believe if you get your colony going it will be worth all the efforts. I appreciate your responding to my posts as a fairly new poster, it means a lot!
Sending up prayers,
Sue

[Chuck4]

Hi Tony. Man I'm so sorry to hear that you are having to deal with that! I have been a little worried myself as I have a rogue subbie male that comes by and causes trouble periodically. I have done three walk unders today alone! I am really paranoid about losing any of these new hatchlings.

I hope the one you had to put back in the nest does well.

[Gobbler T]

Thanks for the responses
All seems to be ok for now. I think he must have ticked off some parents! I've seen him get his butt kicked several times just for getting close to that gourd. Their not the only ones keeping an eye on him! Of course I'm spending a lot more time out in the heat watching. The little one (I now call lucky) doesn't seem to be any worse for the wear. Another female showed up and is keeping the SY's attention. She's not staying but he likes to follow her off.

[DebA]

Oh good. I feel strangely invested in Lucky and his sibs. Haha. Been wondering how he was doing.
Deb

[Gobbler T]

I feel strangely invested in Lucky and his sibs

Yeah, me too!

[richnet12]

...and explains why many of the eggs have been pushed out of nests and hatchlings completely disappearing this year at my place. You are not alone!

[kcscriv]

could it be that the martins know there is something wrong with some eggs or hatchlings and this is why we see this once and a while? just saying! ??

[rrmartins]

Happens all the time Gobbler. you were at the right place at the right time and it sounds as though you have more activity around your colony. hang in there buddy. I had a full 18 pair but the subbies keep tearing up the nest and will be lucky to fledge 70. hang in there buddy, your on your way.

[Gobbler T]

I don't know if I confused him by puting it back, the parents whooping the tar out of him or the extra female thats hanging around, but all seems to be OK. Lucky seems to be the biggest one in the bunch.