Is it as Conspiracy?
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Buckizig
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Mon May 31, 2004 3:22 pm
- Location: Russells Point Ohio
- Martin Colony History: Landlord last year
I have one nesting pair whose babies should fledge within 2-8 days. There has been increased birds at my site I would imagine this is due to migrating birds. Here's my question. Do these migrating birds help the mom and dad defend the nest site? Instead of mom and dad dive bombing me now these extra birds do also. Whaddayathink?
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DornCounty
- Posts: 2169
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
- Location: Rural SE Kansas
- Martin Colony History: .
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Trio-Jedi
Not uncommon for birds from other colonies to come in and "help" fledge the young. Typically it seems to me like the other birds are encouraging the little guys to come out.
In reality they may just be visitors with time to kill since their young are out and about.
In reality they may just be visitors with time to kill since their young are out and about.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
I don't think it is migrating birds. I think it is Aunts and Uncles, and neighbors coming to check on them and cheer them on and let them know that they are waiting on them so they can all go to the wonderful roost site together.
I agree with Wyatt! Ours seem to come and check on things and provide encouragement.
2011: First house late June, lots of visitors
2012: One pair of SY, 5 fledged
2013: 4 pair, 18 fledged
2014: 4 pair, 20 fledged
2015: 14 pair
2016: 18 pair
2012: One pair of SY, 5 fledged
2013: 4 pair, 18 fledged
2014: 4 pair, 20 fledged
2015: 14 pair
2016: 18 pair
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MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Same thing here, dude. Loving it!
~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
My 4 chicks should fledge in the next day or two.
I had presumed that the steady visitors each day were purple martins from other colonies who are checking out other colonies for next year.
The visitors seem to come consistently each day between 11:00am to 1:00pm. Surprisingly most of the visitors look like ASY pairs.
The initial fussing by the founding pair is settling down each subsequent day. The founding pair are allowing the visitors to perch on the house and perches. Of course any activity around the compartment entrance causes a fight.
This discussion is making me ponder whether the visitors are coming each day in anticipation of the coming fledge.
Is this instinctive behavior to protect the fledglings or to encourage the fledglings?
Are we reading too much into these visitors at fledge time? Are the visitors really only checking out new sites for next year?
I had presumed that the steady visitors each day were purple martins from other colonies who are checking out other colonies for next year.
The visitors seem to come consistently each day between 11:00am to 1:00pm. Surprisingly most of the visitors look like ASY pairs.
The initial fussing by the founding pair is settling down each subsequent day. The founding pair are allowing the visitors to perch on the house and perches. Of course any activity around the compartment entrance causes a fight.
This discussion is making me ponder whether the visitors are coming each day in anticipation of the coming fledge.
Is this instinctive behavior to protect the fledglings or to encourage the fledglings?
Are we reading too much into these visitors at fledge time? Are the visitors really only checking out new sites for next year?
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
I agree with Wyatt.
Had a bunch of visitors here too this morning, 2 ASY pairs and a couple of SYMs. 8PMs on my house is a wonderful sight, indeed!
Good luck, and hope your babies all fledge well!
I don't think it is migrating birds. I think it is Aunts and Uncles, and neighbors coming to check on them and cheer them on and let them know that they are waiting on them so they can all go to the wonderful roost site together.
Had a bunch of visitors here too this morning, 2 ASY pairs and a couple of SYMs. 8PMs on my house is a wonderful sight, indeed!
Good luck, and hope your babies all fledge well!
~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Today was the day.
What a ruckus. Everyone in the office knew that something was going on with the purple martins.
At 10:00, the noise outside was evident. 2 of the fledglings had flown to a near by tree and the visitors were flying up to them and using adult martin "talk." The fledglings were using the adolescent martin "talk," 'Cheek-Cheek.' The parents were encouraging the 2 remaining fledglings to come out.
When I was able to get out again at 12:30pm, everyone was gone. No fledglings, no parents, no visitors.
I will have to assume that everyone is okay. A thunderstorm is rolling through now at 1:00pm. Now I am glad that all of the chicks fledged by now.
Am I supposed to clean out their nest and refill with fresh nesting material, pine needles, this afternoon?
I am not expecting anyone to renest this late in the season. I just want to know if I should refresh the nest in case they come to spend the nights for several more days before leaving for a roost.
What a ruckus. Everyone in the office knew that something was going on with the purple martins.
At 10:00, the noise outside was evident. 2 of the fledglings had flown to a near by tree and the visitors were flying up to them and using adult martin "talk." The fledglings were using the adolescent martin "talk," 'Cheek-Cheek.' The parents were encouraging the 2 remaining fledglings to come out.
When I was able to get out again at 12:30pm, everyone was gone. No fledglings, no parents, no visitors.
I will have to assume that everyone is okay. A thunderstorm is rolling through now at 1:00pm. Now I am glad that all of the chicks fledged by now.
Am I supposed to clean out their nest and refill with fresh nesting material, pine needles, this afternoon?
I am not expecting anyone to renest this late in the season. I just want to know if I should refresh the nest in case they come to spend the nights for several more days before leaving for a roost.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Here's my theory (definitely not scientifically proven)
Once the babies have fledged, we've all seen the varying, post-fledge, family behavior - some families return to the nest to spend the nights, for as long as a couple of weeks after the last baby fledges, while other families in the same housing, do not return at all, once the last baby has fledged.
The PMCA has noted that the parent Martins most likely continue to feed, and train the young, for approx. a couple of weeks after fledging. At this point, one can surmise that instinct has kicked in, and the babies know how to catch bugs for themselves.
I often wonder if once a Martin family makes the decision to spend the night at one of the massive roosts, it's at that point the insect "umbilical" is cut, and the babies are left to their own devices (either catching their own food, or "begging" other adults that are feeding their own babies, for food).
The daytime visitors - many have probably noticed that a lot of these daytime visitors are adult birds - without babies in tow.
This again makes me think that once Martins commit to taking their young to the large roosts, they are severing the feeding ties.
The adult birds are dispersing in the mornings, back to the familiar hunting grounds where they had nested, to spend the day feeding, AND investigating and "assisting" other families with babies that are beginning to fledge.
There seems to be a major drive for other adults to be around, and involved, when babies that aren't even there own start to fly.
What is behind this drive? Who knows. Maybe they're helping to protect the babies? Maybe acting as a cheering section? Again, who knows.
Side note:
My daily visitors seem to arrive every morning at around 8:00 AM.
The large roost they're no doubt using, is approx. 28 miles away.
Figuring the roost disperses at approx. 6:15 AM, that's covering 28 miles in approx. 1 hour and 45 minutes - not bad.....
Once the babies have fledged, we've all seen the varying, post-fledge, family behavior - some families return to the nest to spend the nights, for as long as a couple of weeks after the last baby fledges, while other families in the same housing, do not return at all, once the last baby has fledged.
The PMCA has noted that the parent Martins most likely continue to feed, and train the young, for approx. a couple of weeks after fledging. At this point, one can surmise that instinct has kicked in, and the babies know how to catch bugs for themselves.
I often wonder if once a Martin family makes the decision to spend the night at one of the massive roosts, it's at that point the insect "umbilical" is cut, and the babies are left to their own devices (either catching their own food, or "begging" other adults that are feeding their own babies, for food).
The daytime visitors - many have probably noticed that a lot of these daytime visitors are adult birds - without babies in tow.
This again makes me think that once Martins commit to taking their young to the large roosts, they are severing the feeding ties.
The adult birds are dispersing in the mornings, back to the familiar hunting grounds where they had nested, to spend the day feeding, AND investigating and "assisting" other families with babies that are beginning to fledge.
There seems to be a major drive for other adults to be around, and involved, when babies that aren't even there own start to fly.
What is behind this drive? Who knows. Maybe they're helping to protect the babies? Maybe acting as a cheering section? Again, who knows.
Side note:
My daily visitors seem to arrive every morning at around 8:00 AM.
The large roost they're no doubt using, is approx. 28 miles away.
Figuring the roost disperses at approx. 6:15 AM, that's covering 28 miles in approx. 1 hour and 45 minutes - not bad.....
Last edited by Matt F. on Thu Jul 18, 2013 5:14 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Congrats on an exciting day 4th Gen!4th Gen Martin Fan wrote:Today was the day.
What a ruckus. Everyone in the office knew that something was going on with the purple martins.
At 10:00, the noise outside was evident. 2 of the fledglings had flown to a near by tree and the visitors were flying up to them and using adult martin "talk." The fledglings were using the adolescent martin "talk," 'Cheek-Cheek.' The parents were encouraging the 2 remaining fledglings to come out.
When I was able to get out again at 12:30pm, everyone was gone. No fledglings, no parents, no visitors.
I will have to assume that everyone is okay. A thunderstorm is rolling through now at 1:00pm. Now I am glad that all of the chicks fledged by now.
Am I supposed to clean out their nest and refill with fresh nesting material, pine needles, this afternoon?
I am not expecting anyone to renest this late in the season. I just want to know if I should refresh the nest in case they come to spend the nights for several more days before leaving for a roost.
Me personally, I do not touch the nests again, until I do a full cleanout and restocking for the new season, which is usually in late Jan. to early Feb.
That said, there's definitely no harm in getting some fresh materials in there at any time.
If your Martin family decides to return to roost tonight, and subsequent nights, they might even appreciate the fresh nests.
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MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
MattF : Thanks for your explanation, it makes perfect sense! I am enjoying the extra company too. They hang around from about 8A-2P.
4th Gen: SWEET CONGRATS!! What a joyful thing to witness! How many days old were your babes when they fledged? Mine will be 26 d/o on the 20th, though I would be surprised if they fledge that early. I am hearing 28 days is more the norm.
4th Gen: SWEET CONGRATS!! What a joyful thing to witness! How many days old were your babes when they fledged? Mine will be 26 d/o on the 20th, though I would be surprised if they fledge that early. I am hearing 28 days is more the norm.
~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
MamaBruff,
It was exactly 28 days when they fledged.
You can distinctly tell the difference in the call of the adult martins and the call of the newly fledged martins.
I did everything possible and now it is up to the fledglings, parents, and fate.
It was exactly 28 days when they fledged.
You can distinctly tell the difference in the call of the adult martins and the call of the newly fledged martins.
I did everything possible and now it is up to the fledglings, parents, and fate.
Last edited by 4th Gen Martin Fan on Fri Jul 19, 2013 7:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Great! Thanks for the info!! I'm dialed in on these girls; likely it will be Monday, when they are 28 d/o... :-)
~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Matt F.
I decided to clean out the nesting and entrance rooms.
If I were the fledglings, I would have been ready to get out of that smelly compartment. No mites, no parasites, no evidence of predation.
I was worried that I would find a problem but everything was as I expected.
I know that I would appreciate a clean compartment to return to.
Cleaning out the compartment now should make my end of season easier.
I am going to keep the Trio Grandma house up until 1st week of Sept.
Then I will take down the house and pole system until next spring.
MamaBruff
Sounds like you have your fledgling date figured out.
I hope that you get to see them fledge.
I decided to clean out the nesting and entrance rooms.
If I were the fledglings, I would have been ready to get out of that smelly compartment. No mites, no parasites, no evidence of predation.
I was worried that I would find a problem but everything was as I expected.
I know that I would appreciate a clean compartment to return to.
Cleaning out the compartment now should make my end of season easier.
I am going to keep the Trio Grandma house up until 1st week of Sept.
Then I will take down the house and pole system until next spring.
MamaBruff
Sounds like you have your fledgling date figured out.
I hope that you get to see them fledge.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.