WE HAVE AN EGG!!!

[JudyA]

We did a nest check today and we found our first egg!!!

Our nest check showed lots of nest building has been going on since our last check which was one week ago today. These gals have been working really hard, sometimes on multiple nests, as most apartments in our T-14 have at least some material besides the pine straw I put there.

We seem to have 4 pairs with a total of 9 martins that are regulars. The ninth is a SY male who I suspect has attracted a mate. It is so very difficult to get a good count!!! Lately, I have confirmed 8 or 9.

Aside from our regulars, this morning, we saw a recruitment event going on with one ASY male flying around with 6 light bellied birds! Since we don't have 6 females, I think some or all were SYs. In the end, It looked like they all landed on the house and at least took a look. I also think our regulars were hunkered down in their apartments (I saw two looking out of their doors and know that most of our ASY males were not involved). I hope we are soon going to get some more to move in!!!

Any one else have eggs? I would like to know!!! Thanks to my friends on the forum for their encouragement!

- Judy

Our proud mother-to-be on the second floor, and our SYM on the third floor. Not sure who the father is, but it might be him? I will be watching. More to come...

[Anthony Neira]

A BIG CONGRATS ! Judy, and may you have MANY more !!

[steve r]

Congrats on the eggs Judy. I have a lot of eggs in my gourds. Should have the first born any day now.

[DerrickK]

You martin devotees are so lucky in the south to have such a long warm season. I believe it will be the third week of April before we get our first arrivals. We have an elevation of 1200 feet which makes it cooler.

[BW Fowler]

Derrick,

Got a hand it to all the landlords and hope-to-be landlords way up North! You've gotta be real dedicated to do all you guys have to do to keep a colony going. Thanks for doing it!

BW

[BW Fowler]

Great news Judy! So about how long after they started staying overnight was it before the first egg?

The birds here haven't shown much interest in nest building yet. I just cant wait !!!

Good luck!
BW

[JudyA]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I suspect there are lots of Florida sites, like Steve's, with more eggs than ours since we are establishing a new colony and I enjoy hearing how you are doing. Best of luck!!! Others, let me know! Texas and Louisiana will probably be close behind Florida!

I echo BW's claim that landlords up North have so much more than we do to worry about. Florida never lacks for bugs and winters are mild. Anyone care to flip a cricket?

BW,
I looked at my records, and March 12 was when we got our first Martins. I first noted nest building on March 19. I know that seems quick, but I think it is because I lured them in from less desirable locations and they may have been in the area for a while (most have been ASY). Based on our observations during yesterday's nest check, I expect that we will have another nest with eggs next time we check (we have a young lady that is WAY OVERBOARD building nests in 4 units).

I am delighted to know that I may graduate from the "Wannabe club" this year. I also hope that every wannabe and all of last year's new landlords get some of these magical birds in 2016!!! For those with lots of Martins, you go for it!!! You are raising our birds we will see next year!!!

- Judy

[JudyA]

We did another nest check today, and counted 5 eggs in 3 different apartments . We found one egg on the ground . We will check again in 4 days.

Our count of birds is still holding at 9 and I think there will be a 4th apartment with eggs when we check next time !

Good luck to all!!!

- Judy

[BW Fowler]

Judy,

Looks like you are well on your way to graduate from wannabe to landlord. Your birds did seem to get right to the nest building. It should start here any day now. My first bird showed up Feb 25th, but most are still fighting over gourds and females.

Congratulations! and good luck,
BW

[Insectivore Villa]

What's the good news now Judy? Have you moved up in numbers of birds and eggs?
Not a bird here yet, hallelujah, cold and wet and miserable, so I am happy they are late. Never thought I would string those words together, but it truly is crappy weather.

[JudyA]

Henry,
Thanks for asking! We just did a nest check this afternoon and we have a total of 9 eggs in 5 nests (but for the reasons below, I think we have a potential for 8 eggs in 4 nests). We have also seen a resurgence in nest building activity so I am hopeful for another couple laying eggs soon.

I believe we have one bird who laid 3 eggs in two adjacent nests, and threw the other on the ground. No change in those apartments since the last check. She has been taking care of her selected nest with two eggs and I don't see any activity in the nest with 1 egg. She should have an easy year and maybe won't be such a confused mama next year (both parents look like ASY birds).

Our biggest clutch is 4 eggs to date. Today we found 2 new each with 1 egg.

Our earliest hatch date will be 4/17 for the confused mama and her ASY guy, and then on 4/20 for our alpha male and his lady who has laid 4 eggs!

I hope your birds wait until the weather is more favorable to come home!!!

My heart goes out to all of these landlords who are trying to get their early arrivals through the terrible temperatures with hand warmers and crickets/scrambled eggs!!! Good luck!!!
- Judy

[Insectivore Villa]

That is absolutely awesome, so happy for you. Just think your eggs will hatch before most of my birds get here and fledge before mine hatch.

Found something that seems really fitting that you deserve...hope you like it.

[Jose Rodriguez]

Yes!! A big congratulations on your graduation Judy! Keep us posted. We like pictures! Lol