Martin just fledged; Will the pair return?

[ldybala]

I just had a Martin fledge from a pair (second year female and after second year male) that came a little late. They had four eggs. I did nest checks every five days and changed the nest on the third check (day 16 after hatching). All four chicks were fine. On the fourth check I found that one chick was missing and another was dead. I removed the dead chick and changed the nest again. Two days later I saw that both checks were still being fed. After that I only noticed one chick. And today (day 26 after hatching) I see that I have only one that has fledged with no sign of the other either in the nest or hanging around. So, it looks like four hatched and one fledged.

I've been trying to attract to the house I moved to for two years without success. This year was a breakthrough. I did everything possible to get a pair. Played the dawn song, used decoys, placed mirrors around the house, made sure that no sparrows nested (by trapping and eliminating). I even removed a few trees to make the site more appealing. My house is a Trio Castle with round holes and three gourds below. I also have two gourd racks with tunnels that have both round holes and starling-resistant holes. My theory was to have everything for the birds and let them choose, just hoping that I would get a pair. This pair nested in the Trio Castle with round holes. They built two very good nests, one above the other on the second and third level from the top, and chose the one on the second level.

My question is this. Is this one successful fledged chick enough to mean success for the pair. Will they return next year?

Larry

[barry resvick]

Hi Larry!
Last year was my first nesting pair,but the eggs were infertile and as a result they were abandoned.I was also afraid they might not return but my founding male of three years showed up right on time and as of a this season i now have two nesting pairs and should have my first hatch somewhere around the 4th of July weekend so you can bet i will be setting off a few fire works.
I Think you are probably well on your way as they didnt abandon the remaining chick i totally think they will come back next year and they will both have different mates. I dont know what your predator situation is down your way but make sure you have guards up as it sounds like you have something there that is taking some of your chicks.

[pmlover]

Larry
they will be back next year. Good jo
dick