My first 2 nesting pair this year (all SY martins) were 0 for 8 on eggs that hatched. Each nest had 4 eggs that all failed to hatch. Projected dates were June 30 and July 4. The female in the latter nest is still sitting on her eggs this evening.
What will the martins do at this point? Will they attempt to re-nest or just call it quits for the year? Will they imprint on this site without a successful brood?
Any insights on the non viable nests and what happens next is appreciated.
Unfertilized / non viable eggs
-
Robert Anderson
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:22 am
- Location: Mt. Pleasant, IA
- Martin Colony History: 2018: 0 pair
2019: 0 pair
2020: 0 pair: 1 ASY male visitor
2021: 3 pair: 13 eggs
2018: 0 pair
2019: 0 pair
2020: 0 pair: 1 ASY male visitor
2021: 3 pair: 13 eggs
16 S&K Bo 9 double stacked gourds; 8 PMCA Excluder Gourds; 2 Trio metal houses converted from 12 units down to 6.
2019: 0 pair
2020: 0 pair: 1 ASY male visitor
2021: 3 pair: 13 eggs
16 S&K Bo 9 double stacked gourds; 8 PMCA Excluder Gourds; 2 Trio metal houses converted from 12 units down to 6.
-
C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
Don't give up yet on those eggs, dates could shift based on weather.
My experience has been that if there have been no predator attacks and they feel safe there they will be back next year. They tend to abandon a site if they have been threatened, houses in disrepair, etc.
They may try again, one nest here lost 5 eggs, none hatched. The male (until three days ago-seems to have given up) has been trying to attract a mate and go again.
It is a little late, for example, near end of the month martins here will feel the urge to gather in pre migratory roosts.
I understand what you are saying, iv heard and read martins need to have a successful brood and they come back.
To have all the eggs not hatch is curious, can you point a finger at the possible reason?
One PS: SYs are notorious for poor nest building, guarding chicks etc, they are not at fault its just inexperience.
My experience has been that if there have been no predator attacks and they feel safe there they will be back next year. They tend to abandon a site if they have been threatened, houses in disrepair, etc.
They may try again, one nest here lost 5 eggs, none hatched. The male (until three days ago-seems to have given up) has been trying to attract a mate and go again.
It is a little late, for example, near end of the month martins here will feel the urge to gather in pre migratory roosts.
I understand what you are saying, iv heard and read martins need to have a successful brood and they come back.
To have all the eggs not hatch is curious, can you point a finger at the possible reason?
One PS: SYs are notorious for poor nest building, guarding chicks etc, they are not at fault its just inexperience.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
Wait. Check again. My experience has been to just see what happens. If they don't hatch they might lay a second clutch. Happened to me. Had 5 or 6 eggs. None hatched. She laid again. Couldn't tell the difference. She sat on all those eggs. I recalculated and once the second clutch hatched I was able to discard the infertile eggs.
Brent
Brent
Brent