Questions from a PM nube

[GVille_PM_Dad]

I have a pair of Martins that have successfully hatched two fledglings. I checked on them and all the nesting material I had changed at around day 10 is out of the nest. I take it the adults removed it. Is this a normal activity after the chicks start showing feathering?

This first pairing has been so fascinating to watch. I can seen why there is such passion about these wonderful creatures.

Thanks much!

Proud PM landlord

[Conrad Baker]

The birds sometimes will remove some or all of the nest material you provide. They will add what they want from local resources, and I have had some lay eggs on the bare floor of the nest cavity after removing the pine needles I place in there at the beginning of the season.. The eggs and babies did fine in those.

[C.C.Martins]

Its a good observation, all that carefully collected nest material we painstakingly place is done with what they want. This year in three nests they pushed the pine needles aside and built their nests with cedar mulch shavings they picked up from the flower and tree beds.
Its part of the fun at seasons end to see what they have been up to.

[GVille_PM_Dad]

Thanks Conrad,

That is great to hear. It's kinda nerve racking being a new landlord. I feel nearly as protective as the mating pair themselves at times.

So here is another question.

They are housing in an S&K boNINE gourd. They are using the crescent hole but that opening is flat with the gourd bottom. I am afraid the fledges might fall out premature. There is a secondary round hole above it that can be opened (it is circular in shape) . It has an inner ledge which places the babies under level of the entrance.

Will changing that entrance mess with the mating pair at this point?

Thanks again for the previous answer.

[Conrad Baker]

Not familiar with gourds. Maybe someone else can help out.

[jhcox]

Hey pm nine I would not recommend using the round entrance as this will allow starlings to use the gourds. And they are one of they Martins worst enemies. If you are worried about the falling out if don’t have them already I would suggest putting tunnels and porches on all your gourds. Good luck and I hope this helps you out for next year.

[flyin-lowe]

My first few years I pre nested every cavity thinking I was saving them some energy from not having to gather as much when they arrive. I noticed a few martins would remove all of the pine straw I provided. I figured at that point they were burning more energy because of me so now I pre nest 80% or so and always leave a few with nothing. Every year there are martins that choose empty cavities over pre nested for what ever reason.

[dsonyay]

The crescent shaped is the better of the two. Unless you know starlings aren’t going to be an issue. The little ones might peek out, but they wont go farther unless it’s maybe a house with a railed front porch (like SK barns). They tend to walk outside of those in some cases, but Not gourds (at least in my case,, I’ve never had them go out onto gourd porches. )