Yesterday there was another group fledging.. I spotted one flying really well and being escorted around by the flock. So beautiful to see. The goofy landings are icing on the cake.
This morning saw another from same gourd pop his head out , creep onto porch, then leap out and straight up. Soared high and was followed by the group. This could have been an fledge from yesterday and simply spent the night back in the gourd. Hard to say.
But a beautiful sight. I feel like I did my part well enough for these guys. Another 25 or so to go.
I have lost about 5 total chicks so far out of about 40. Mites aren’t a problem, do not too sure why chicks die. My nest of 7 is down to 5
What an exciting time— witnessing fledges
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
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sawhisker
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2020 7:06 pm
- Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
- Martin Colony History: 2019 - Visitors
2020 - 7 pair. 21 fledged
2021 - 5 pair. 17 fledged
2022 - 6 pair, 24 fledged
2023 - 7 pair, 20 fledged
2024 - 14 pair, 42 fledged (doubled housing)
2025 - 15 pair, 32 fledged
That is so exciting! I am just a little north of you up in Arkansas, and I have a couple of nests that will be fledging in the next week or so. Hopefully, I will have a similar experience to yours 
Thanks for sharing the success story. It is always encouraging to hear good news!
Thanks for sharing the success story. It is always encouraging to hear good news!