As I have posted here a few times, my martin house is at our family lake house. I only get down there on the weekend and due to a busy kids schedule that has been even harder this season. Last time I made it there we had two pair of nesting martins and 11 new babies and another nest in the making. I'd guess the babies were a few days old. We finally got back down to the lake over the weekend. I was happy to see six adult martins flying about. I knew we were likely approaching fledging time and watched closely for a hour to see if any babies were flying. They weren't and my curiosity got the best of me... so my two girls and I lowered the house. Our two nest with pink babies now were big healthy ready to fly martins. The third nest had bran new pink babies in it. We took some quick pictures and sent the house back up. Thankfully (and the lucky part) no jumpers... just happy health babies. The next morning I got up to a martin party going on. Visiting birds around and a ruckus of them apparently trying to convince one of my pairs babies out. And they did. Over the course of the day one compartments babies fledged. Nature is amazing in general but watching these birds first flights and how well they did and how quick they learn was incredible. It was a near perfect calm day and we witnessed them coming and going all day bringing back bugs and drinking not so gracefully from the lake.
I can't be certain this was their first flight but it would seam they would have jumped when lowering the house if they had already flown. It's also possible some had fledged already and were out of the nest when we lowered it. I did it so quickly I really didn't even try to get a count. We did get some neat pictures and if I can get them posted I will. Also took some fun video thorough the day. Sorry so long but thought I'd share
Martin Colony History: 2018 1 lone nut and lots of visitors 2019 6 pair -21fledged 2020 18 pair -60 fledged 2021......to be seen. 24 natural gourds on a satellite rack,9 other gourds scattered around 2-12 compartment trio houses Rarely see a sparrow or starling,but when I do they don’t last long! Will have a second satellite rack for the 2022 season and phase out the houses,the martins here strongly prefer natural gourds.
Say there rock....... caught your post.. glad to hear you got to go to see your birds. Bet ya glad you found time. Did you have an opportunity to check that old house,I’m curious to see what may come of that situation. Do please keep me posted. Have a good one.
No PMD... I didn't get on the water and can't access the other neighbors site other then by boat. Boat is still in storage... didn't have time to get it out this weekend. You are correct though. Very happy we got the time down there that we did. Hope to get down during the week this week to see our other pairs babies fly. I think they are very close as well... may already have.
Martin Colony History: 2018 1 lone nut and lots of visitors 2019 6 pair -21fledged 2020 18 pair -60 fledged 2021......to be seen. 24 natural gourds on a satellite rack,9 other gourds scattered around 2-12 compartment trio houses Rarely see a sparrow or starling,but when I do they don’t last long! Will have a second satellite rack for the 2022 season and phase out the houses,the martins here strongly prefer natural gourds.
Well I’m glad to hear you made it and enjoyed your trip. I have two boats here at the house and am on the water fishing quite often. I also boat ride just for the enjoyment as well as go frog hunting with mt go-devil boat. Get that boat out and go enjoy it,winter will be here all too soon. However I do use my boat all winter to access my deer hunting spots. Keep me posted,and enjoy your time outdoors.
