Fledging Questions

[Seller]

Well this year I had one nesting pair and three regular residents, the breeding pair and what I believe was a SY male. Plus the frequent visits from a neighboring colony which numbers about 6-7 birds.

I had three eggs in the nest and two birds made it to fledge, which brings up my question.

How long does the fledging process take?

For the last several days it seems the two colonies have been back and fourth several times daily raising all kinds of cain yelling in the gourds with the young uns in it. Yesterday it all went crazy, I don't know where they came from but there were times there'd be 20+ PM's and it was happening very frequently, several times an hour and it lasted several minutes each time. I never saw either of the young ones do anything other than stick their head out.
This morning I had an early meeting but was back home by 9:30. The PM's where sitting on a power line near the house (which I cant recall them ever doing) and since then I haven't seen nor heard them. I lowered the gourds a few minutes ago and they're gone. Two days ago all they were doing is sticking their heads out of the gourd

Did I miss it? Does the fledging only take a few minutes? All the timing is about right on, the hatching and the fledging.

I looked at the FAQ but didn't see anything to answer this one.

Thanks in advance!

[Joseph]

That has been my limited experience also. I believe they are leaving the nest more than I realize in the day(s) before they fledge. It seems to be overnight that they decide to join the adults. I know they can fly sooner than when they decide to stop hanging out at the door waiting for food. After they join the adults I get about two weeks more from them and then they are gone to the roost.

[Seller]

Thank you for your time Joseph. Much appriciated.

They're all back today, young ones included and flying like seasoned vets.

I guess I was expecting a few days of them stumbling around the gourds and the perches flapping away to strengthen their wings but that didnt happen.

[tonyg]

Seller, you will notice the young ones, their landing skills give them away, pretty clumsy at first. they are usually there one day and gone the next. Unless you maybe catch them during a nest check where you know you had 5 and now there is 2 for instance.

[DebA]

I am glad both of them have made it thus far and you got to see them again! It is so cool how other martins show up to coax the little ones to fly. Or maybe it is just for the show. Might be amusing to them too!

With your spare ones hanging around and all your visitors you stand a good chance of having birds again next year!

Deb