What now...

[Planelivin]

Nest check today and have 5 eggs which were laid sometime between Tuesday and today. I put a few dried mealworms on the ledge and in the cavity as we have had a lot of rain from Alberto the last few days here in KY. Noticed a few ants so I put a little Seven dust under neath the nesting material and back up the pole they went. Hopefully, in 16 or so days we see little ones. At this point how often should I check nest given I've already put a little Seven dust and fed them?

[phldave]

your may want to get a prognosticator from the pmca. I did, when I had a group for a while in April. looks like a great tool, maybe someday I'll get to put it to use.

Dave

[TheSmiths]

I usually do them every five days. If we have birds that are comfortable with us, like our current bluebird pair, we sometimes do them every three or four if bad weather is going to come in or we suspect a problem.

[Planelivin]

I was on a 6 day trip and figured while gone my eggs would hatch. I came home last night. And today after the early gentle steady rain quit I gave the adults plenty of time to fly and catch insects etc as they were really swooping near the ground and garden area. Once all that activity settled down I decided to bring the house down and I was greeted by 5 little bodies smiling back at me. I assume they hatched the 16th and 17th. I left some mealworms for the mother and put a little seven dust in the floor area and back up the pole they went. So far so good...

[Spiderman]

Sounds like your babies are doing well. They will be on their trip to Brazil before you know it.

Being a Airline Pilot, I imagine you appreciate the fact they make the round trip every year. And have the GPS ability to return to your yard and their house to raise another brood.

Here is a Chart that will help you with the ageing process day by day for the Fledgling.

Best Wishes,

http://www.supergourd.com/PDF/Articles_ ... rticle.pdf

[Planelivin]

Sounds like your babies are doing well. They will be on their trip to Brazil before you know it.

Being a Airline Pilot, I imagine you appreciate the fact they make the round trip every year. And have the GPS ability to return to your yard and their house to raise another brood.

Here is a Chart that will help you with the ageing process day by day for the Fledgling.

Best Wishes,

http://www.supergourd.com/PDF/Articles_ ... rticle.pdf

It absolutely amazes me. Ducks and geese and their migratory flights always intrigued me but what these PMs do is beyond navigational comprehension.

[Planelivin]

Is it possible to be getting additional nesting this late in June? I noticed today about 20 PMs males and fermales flying around my house and noticed what appears to be two new females going in and out of the additional unblocked entrances. I've also noticed what appears to be very young PMs landing on my fencing and making small flights back and forth?

I'm looking forward to lowering the house next week and first seeing if additional nesting is actually happening and then try to figure out why so much PM activity outta nowhere or with any explanation. Is it possible a house got destroyed somewhere near and all these PMs have decided to seek a new home?

[TheSmiths]

Planelivin, did you have any nesters or were they just passing through?

[Planelivin]

Planelivin, did you have any nesters or were they just passing through?

I've had a ton of Martin activity but no additional nesting. But some days I literally have 15-20 martins flying around, landing, and roosting. The noise of their chatter sounds like the CDs I played back in the beginning. Loud and very active. Babies are good. Only see momma going in and out of their cavity. So don't feel like babies are in any danger. Fingers crossed. It sometimes looks like an airshow out over my horse pastures at times. But no additional nesting. Gotta be from another colony nearby I guess and like coming over for lengthy visits. I'm really hoping for a banner year next year. But for now fingers crossed to get these 5 fledged. Should be between the 12-14th.

[Planelivin]

Well the 5 babies fledged as predicted on July 13 and 14. Each day now you routinely see PMs flying around the area. From time to time a little activity on house but they seem to be hanging out in the trees a lot then flying around to catch food. But they are still here for now. Will definitely be putting up a second LoneStar to have two up for next year before I start expanding into more levels/units on the current unit. Would like to get a set of gourds up as well but for now just thrilled I had such great 'beginners luck' this season. Thanks to everyone who contributed their knowledge to me this past 4 months. I do appreciate it.