After 10 years of trying I finally have a pair that are building a nesyt. Hooray! I have 4 gourds hanging in 2 different locations in my backyard. There are 3 open gourds at the site they are building. One is circular and 2 are the low, rectangular starling resistant type. The nale is building in the circular one and the female in the other. Is that normal? Any advice? I DESPERATELY WANT THIS TO WORK OUT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS OF TRYING.
Jeff, Hamburg, PA
1 pair, multiple nests being built??
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Rediwill
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2016 12:06 pm
- Location: fredericksburg, va
- Martin Colony History: 2016 6/1 Pole put up late due to HOA . Had visitor birds but no pairs that stayed.
2017 3/1 visitor birds but no pairs that stayed.
2018 3/1 visitor birds but no pairs that stayed.
2019 3/1 visitor birds but no pairs that stayed. Brothers Martins didn’t show up at all at his pole 10 miles away.
2020 7/30 Had 3 pairs, 1st- 5 eggs/ 2nd hatched 2 fledged, 2nd - 5 eggs/ 2-5 hatched fledging. 3rd formed late July and no nest built.
2021 3/1 no pairs returned. One lone male hung out few days then left. Weather was bad.
2022 6/1 one pair all four eggs that hatched fledged. I’ve had 6-8 visitors.
2023 6/15 Eleven pairs 4-6 babies per nest. 51 babies total hatched. Will start fledging July 4th until end of July. I am in total shock.....Wow
Congratulations. I have the same thing with my first pair. They both built nests in the same two gourds. The gourds are identical and one above the other. I read this happens a lot with first time nesters. They get confused. Eventually they will pick a gourd to primarily use. Mine even laid eggs in both. I moved the eggs to the gourd the female was using most and had more eggs.
I read females choose the gourd. Males will try to get them into a gourd but will give in to the females choice. I hope you find eggs soon. Keep watch out for starlings and other threats.
Best of luck!
Red.
I read females choose the gourd. Males will try to get them into a gourd but will give in to the females choice. I hope you find eggs soon. Keep watch out for starlings and other threats.
Best of luck!
Red.
