South Central PA Nest Check Update
Conducted my second nest check yesterday......23 of 28 cavities have eggs.....the remaining 5 cavities have nest activity. We'll see how they go over the next couple of days/weeks. I am impressed with the number of eggs laid to date. A total of 116 eggs and some interesting nests.....very varied in the sticks, corn husks, dried ornamental grass. My very first nest with a mud dam.....I have a T-14 with nest trays, so no real need, but interesting nonetheless. I continue to have a hawk working around my yard......he was successful early in the season in picking off a few, but it seems the martins have figured that out for the time being. No doubt that will change around fledging time.
Trying since 2006, started hosting in 2012
T14 with 4 THG and 4 modified SG's
Gourd rack with 3 TVG's and 3 modified SG's
T14 with 4 THG and 4 modified SG's
Gourd rack with 3 TVG's and 3 modified SG's
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Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
Sounds like the start of a great year. Congrats.
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.