Was observing my Martins today, when much to my surprise two seemed to be fighting over one hole. I've not had this happen before, or that I've noticed. They will fight each other down to the ground, I walked out there then and broke it up. But why would they do this? These were definitely Martins and not any other predator. I checked the archives and others seemed to have had the problem when two clutches were laid in the same nest, is this what's going on?
My wooden houses are not such that I can raise and lower them, but are stacked on top of a metal pole, so looking inside is not easy and the nest in question is on the lower floor.
Please advise, all comments are greatly appreciated.
Martin's Fighting
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~Ray~Gingerich
- Posts: 2122
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: Delaware/Dover
It could be an unmated SY male trying to sneak in to do damage and the mated pair pair fighting with him, or a hatching year bird wanting a place to hole up for a while and get free meals.
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
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joyjazz
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 3:13 pm
- Location: MN/Ceylon
- Martin Colony History: Have had Martins for over 50 years
Have you noticed them doing severe damage to each other or will one of them give up?~Ray~Gingerich wrote:It could be an unmated SY male trying to sneak in to do damage and the mated pair pair fighting with him, or a hatching year bird wanting a place to hole up for a while and get free meals.