lost some of my population not sure why?
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lovinlife62
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 11:44 am
- Location: LA/Thibodaux
last nest check today we inventoried 21 eggs and 61 babies lost 11 eggs and 2 babies. One of the nest went from 6 eggs to 0! and it looked like a new nest was started? Don't seem to be sparrow nest looks like new martin nest not sure what is going on will keep a close watch on this to see what may be happening!!!
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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
Its difficult to say exactly what happened but here are a couple possibilities:
1) A SY male martin is throwing out the eggs, hoping the female martin will move to a different cavity, and then mate with him
2) Starlings throw out martin eggs, carry them about 50 ft, and drop them
Of course, snakes and racoons eat them but since you did a nest check, its not a snake as you would have found it. Always look good in such nests for a small hidden snake.
1) A SY male martin is throwing out the eggs, hoping the female martin will move to a different cavity, and then mate with him
2) Starlings throw out martin eggs, carry them about 50 ft, and drop them
Of course, snakes and racoons eat them but since you did a nest check, its not a snake as you would have found it. Always look good in such nests for a small hidden snake.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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KBoothby
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:05 am
- Location: Ontario/Langton
- Martin Colony History: 2021: 46 pairs
2020: 39 pairs (24 gourds added for total of 54 cavities)
2019: 22 pairs
2018: 19 pairs
2017: 25 pairs (condo predators - steps taken)
2016: 22 pairs
2015: 17 pairs
2014: 9 pairs
2013: 7 pairs (12 gourds added for total of 30 cavities)
2012: 1 pair
2011: 1 pair (first year: 14 rm condo/4 gourds)
I had new nests start on top of old last season after cold wet spell. When I dug down, the first batch of eggs were buried beneath the new nest. Could that be the same for you? K
Happy Trails. Kathryn (PMCA Member & Nature Lover)