Newbie Day 10 Update

[DuckCamp]

So, I posted a few questions on this forum last week after a surprise visit from a ASY martin resulted in my becoming an unexpected martin landlord. I had put up 4 budget style S&K gourds on a pole 4 years ago hoping for a great crested flycatcher. They provided target practice for starlings and house sparrows, but that was about it until this year. I appreciate all of the help I received and thought I'd post an update now 10 days after he showed up.

I've spent more time reading about martins and challenges faced by landlords over the past 10 days then I ever expected I would in my life. This forum is a wealth of info. Thank you to all of you who contribute and answer questions from newbies like me.

Over the past 10 days the male has been joined by a female. They've filled 2 of the 4 gourds with nesting material. She seems to only visit one of them now, and has been spending a lot of time in it with her head peaking out over the past 2 days. The male visits both. They have had visitors - an SY male on several occasions, a female on another. The skies above my yard often have 8-10 martins, but most do not come all of the way down for a visit. I have noticed 2 other colonies within a few miles of my home now that I've been thrown into this purple martin thing.

3 HOSP, 2 males and a female, were seen on the gourds 2 days ago. Patience and a shotgun resulted in their passing.

So, I'm hopeful that these birds nest successfully in my small setup. I've lowered the gourds and added Sevin dust under the nesting material and drilled drainage holes, as I was encouraged to do. These gourds do not have an inspection port and the nests are built up too high to see over. I've ordered a small mirror on a stick to try to check for eggs, will be here Tuesday.

So that's what is new at Duck Camp and my surprise martins. I've enjoyed learning all that I have the past 10 days, joined PMCA, and will do my best to give these birds the best chance possible and will most definitely be set-up more substantially for 2021. Thanks again. I'll post more updates in the future.

[Kegger]

Good Luck! Congrats! Soon you may see some eggs.

[deancamp]

Right on Duckcamp. Enjoy the ride and learn as you go. It is all part of the process. We are all still learning. Adapt and survive.

[DuckCamp]

Thanks! I did a nest check on Tuesday. Green leaves with 2 eggs! My observations after work today suggest a shift in behavior. I saw the female leave once for maybe 15 minutes before returning. Male spent most of the time perched on dead tree branch overlooking the yard. I thought maybe incubation began today, but what do I know? I read they'll start sitting with the penultimate egg. I plan to do a nest check Sunday.

[sugarcreek]

Congrats on your success , Incubation normally does not start until 2nd to last egg is laid. And if they are normal they'll lay between 4-6 eggs...