Dead Martin homeless babies

chickadee · Sat Jun 07, 2014 3:11 pm

Well I have 2racks caged in and 1 that's not. On my sons swing set found Martin feathers. Guessing a owl snagged one out of the rack not caged. It looks like female feathers. So their is a lot of gourds with young. If a female is gone can the male continue to raise the young feed them all and sit on them? Or will I find dead babies?

Anthony Neira · Sat Jun 07, 2014 3:25 pm

I would say to try and spread them out to the other couples, if you can. The male should get over it. But you'll prob. hear that " where are you ?" "Arking" cry from him this evening & tonight, the one I'm too Chicken to hear. Good luck

chickadee · Sat Jun 07, 2014 3:42 pm

I am just trying to pen down what gourd. With 68 pair and 3 racks it is hard. I am guessing if I was a owl I would go for the rack not caged. Everyone so far seems to be accounted for except one gourd with 4 eggs and one newly hatched baby. Had of hatched yesterday or today. I have not seen much activity and just one male. Only been watching ten minutes. Tho. If it's the gourd what about the eggs? About to hatch any time.

Anthony Neira · Sat Jun 07, 2014 3:58 pm

Then wait, he'll be the one " arking " this evening Loud! That's how I found out who the dead adult belonged to in the past . Then you might need a flashlight to pinpoint which gourd.

chickadee · Sat Jun 07, 2014 4:41 pm

Ok a female showed up at this rack. This makes the not caged rack with nobody missing. Surprises me for a owl to get one at a caged rack. Went inside last night at 8 pm it was not their. 7 am the feathers were their. So has to be a owl. Around 8 pm I will go out see of I can find this male by his self. I wonder if maybe a new one slept outside on the rack or a tree and got plucked ? Any how thanks for th advise I will take it all.

Anthony Neira · Sat Jun 07, 2014 7:02 pm

Yes, Please let us know if it was a new one staying outside, or if a male lost his mate. Good luck !

threelilkids · Sat Jun 07, 2014 8:12 pm

Chickadee, I saw a Mocking bird fussing at a baby owl 2 nights ago. The owl was begging for food and the Mocking bird was telling it "you are to close to my nest" The baby owl flew a few trees down and all was well. I told Mr. Mocking bird you better be careful or you will get ate.

I have had owls at my place for 20 years, protecting the Martins from them is a must for me. Hope all is well for your Martins, sorry if you lost one