Plump and Jolly and a little lazy

Bird Nerd · Sun Mar 22, 2015 9:43 pm

Some of my tenants are having a hard time getting in and out of the S&K house. No issues with the gourds. No problems last year.

They have had an "all you can eat bugffet" practically every night since they started arriving in February.

They seem to be sitting around inside and outside their abode's for longer periods of time this year as compared to last year. And it's hampering my nest checks, I don't want to disturb them.

Is it possible their eating to much and are getting a bit to plump for the starling resistant entries?

I almost had to help get a male out of his "apt" because he could hardly squeeze himself out.

They do seem happy, they have everything they need plus some. Should be a good year for fledglings.

DebA · Mon Mar 23, 2015 8:52 am

Since your subject line described me I will be the first to answer.

I had a plump male struggle with an S&K crescent my early years. John Miller suggested making sure there wasn't built up nesting material on the inside of the doorway. There was and I removed it. It did help. It was hard to watch him try and try one evening. He would do a swoop and fly and try to have momentum carry him in.

I don't remember the theory about them being able to step in but that was something that worked for me.

There are times when being plump is a good thing. Healthy plump anyways.

Deb

Bird Nerd · Mon Mar 23, 2015 4:06 pm

Thanks Deb I will do that.

Larry A Kronemeyer · Mon Mar 23, 2015 6:33 pm

Two years ago we had a big boy who struggled with his opening. We checked the crescent openings on the trendsetter and the measurements were dead on. We modified nest tray to make sure that wasn't blocking entrance. He sat on the porch a lot. Then when starting to feed nestlings his frustration with the opening became an issue and we quickly changed the opening to a slightly larger one.....end of problem.

taxidermy lady · Mon Mar 23, 2015 7:39 pm

Hello Larry and Judy,
Have you guys been feeding your martins? It's been fairly nice since you've got them! I guess it's been a slower process this year. I seen you got yours March 11 last yr. You'll have yours jolly and plump, you guys have a great year!

Those birds will have to exercise more Birdnerd!!,

Bird Nerd · Mon Mar 23, 2015 9:01 pm

Deb,

More struggling today. I checked and it's completely empty.

I will try to make that entrance a bit larger.

Waydog · Mon Mar 23, 2015 10:18 pm

I noticed a fatboy struggling a bit this evening to get out of a crescent. No nesting yet...just establishing still. I'd guess that the wet winter is bringing an abundance of tasty bug treats all day. They have no problems with the clinger entrances, but the crescents, seemingly a tad bigger, give a few big uns a hassle! He finally learned his shimmy had to get a bit more agressive to get that bug belly out!!!!!

Larry A Kronemeyer · Mon Mar 23, 2015 10:18 pm

Bird nerd
Take it slow and easy when you attempt to enlarge any openings, a hairs breathe goes a long way. Don't want to make it accessible to starlings. Try one just a tiny bit bigger and see if it makes a difference with the bird trying to get in and out..hate to modify if they just need an attitude adjustment. Would recommend starting at the bottom of the entrance, easier to control and still provides starling control because it's still hard to bend those long legs.
Hope this helps.

Sharon
Scout came in a week ago, and there were a couple of cold nasty days for him. He seemed to be feeding ok but one day we did lower his house and put in crickets. He seemed to appreciate it. Been doing fine ever since. On Saturday another ASY male and female turned up. Scout was thrilled because the female evidently is his mate...but she picked out a different compartment for them! He hasn't given up on trying to get her into his original compartment. ( she's winning) Cold nights later this week...maybe crickets and hand warmers.
Get ready for your birds!!!! I know this will be your year.
Larry and Judy

taxidermy lady · Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:17 am

That is great, I know you and Judy will take care of them. I may get an offspring from you guys! Good luck!

James Strickland FL · Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:46 pm

Hi Bird Nerd,

I am just up the road from you and mine are doing the same thing, but they are getting in and out. Nest building has really ramped up the past few days. I have had to put out a lot of pine straw this year, but my number have increased so I do not mine.

Bird Nerd · Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:47 pm

Hi James, (neighbor)

That's interesting same thing here they are finally getting to work. The party is over. And mine also manage to get in and out, although easier in then out and I have also seen an increase this year.

Congratulations!

Hi Sharon,

Starting at the bottom makes a lot of sense.

Thank you.

DebA · Wed Mar 25, 2015 7:11 am

My first ASYM came last Sunday morning. Disappeared for a day. I knew he was doing his thing. Back yesterday morning with another ASYM. Then last night two females joined them! That's the way I told him.

I happened to peek outside just before dark. One ASYM was trying to get into my Crescent. I thought...well look at you. Then thought of this thread. He wasn't trying super hard. I had dinner finally on the stove so knowing it will all work out I decided to not fret and turned away.

I was also thinking...what happened to all of the starving birds down south? My guys look plump. Either they came in clearly after all that or some southern landlord did a great job with the crickets and scrambled eggs!

Deb

Bird Nerd · Wed Mar 25, 2015 7:21 pm

The race is on! 10-12 pair are building their nests at a frantic pace, great fun to watch.

I also witnessed for the first time 6 martins swooping low to the surface of the pool to take a drink, usually it's only one at a time. Amazing their accuracy and precision. What a sight!!

Hope you all have a great year!