Two weeks ago was the last time I saw any PM at the housing. I checked the house, and all compartments are empty (well used and dirty), but no birds either dead or alive. This has to be the earliest they have ever left.
Anyone else in my area with the same results??
Can they be gone already?
My first rack with the colony founders that has filled up quickly for a couple of years is thinning out quite a bit.
There is still quite a bit of activity at the other two racks, although the second rack has been fledging for a week or more.
Guess I need to visit the roost at Highland Mall in Austin to see if it is building.
There is still quite a bit of activity at the other two racks, although the second rack has been fledging for a week or more.
Guess I need to visit the roost at Highland Mall in Austin to see if it is building.
Cheers,
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
-
Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Conrad, do you know if they all fledged? Did you happen to do nest checks so you can approximate their fledging date? If they fledged, then they may have left. They tend to leave quickly if they are being harassed by owls or hawks. However, I have not heard of anyone saying on any forum that all of his martins fledged and left for the roost.
My first thought is a snake got into the housing, it does seem like its a couple weeks too early, but I am not that sure about your area. What kind of snake guard are you using? If a snake came and got into the housing, it will look exactly like you describe.
My first thought is a snake got into the housing, it does seem like its a couple weeks too early, but I am not that sure about your area. What kind of snake guard are you using? If a snake came and got into the housing, it will look exactly like you describe.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
-
Conrad Baker
- Posts: 756
- Joined: Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:43 pm
- Location: Paulina, Louisiana
The adults were actively feeding the little ones for the last month or so. I have four foot long pvc pipe, and bird netting for snake guards. I have never had a problem with snakes before. I didn't do a lot of nest checks after the eggs were laid. When they all left, I did check the house, and did not find any dead birds.
Maybe they just left earlier than usual.
Maybe they just left earlier than usual.
-
Nikkidodi - SATX
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 4:40 pm
- Location: TX/San Antonio
My martin babies began fledging June 4th and the last 2 fledged yesterday June 19. They returned last night and spent the night in their housing, but not one in sight at 4:00 PM this evening. 4 eggs failed to hatch this year, but the 28 that did all survived and fledged. I'm thankful for that. It sure is quiet out here now.
UPDATE /29: They are still returning at night (counted 17 yesterday) and one of the nests is being re-used. I had suspended nest checks after the pair fledged, but found 2 eggs on the 26th, 4 eggs there today. Don't know if it is the same pair of parents or if some newcomers joined in.
UPDATE /29: They are still returning at night (counted 17 yesterday) and one of the nests is being re-used. I had suspended nest checks after the pair fledged, but found 2 eggs on the 26th, 4 eggs there today. Don't know if it is the same pair of parents or if some newcomers joined in.
-
Nikkidodi - SATX
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 4:40 pm
- Location: TX/San Antonio
This is my second year as a landlord (after 3 unsuccessful years). This year with 8 pods/gourds, I had 7 nesting pairs, 32 eggs, 28 hatched and fledged between Jun 4th – 19th. (only 7 fledglings from 1 pair last year.)
While I would have thought that most of my Martins would have moved onto the Roosts by now, amazingly I counted 20 PM's on the rack and power line above this morning.
I am still watching 4 eggs that should begin hatching around July 12th. Could it be that the other Martins are staying around because of the breeding pair?
While I would have thought that most of my Martins would have moved onto the Roosts by now, amazingly I counted 20 PM's on the rack and power line above this morning.
I am still watching 4 eggs that should begin hatching around July 12th. Could it be that the other Martins are staying around because of the breeding pair?