My colony is exploding

Buckeye658793 · Sat Jun 18, 2022 10:22 am

Just an update last year I had 6 pair 27 eggs 17 young and 17 fledged did nest check 6/17 I have 25 pair had a grand total of 112 eggs and out of those eggs I have 48 young so far thinking I might have to invest in another gourd rack nest year.I never dreamed my colony would grow this fast

Birdiegirl · Sat Jun 18, 2022 10:34 am

WOW! Congratulations to you!!! Was last year your first trying to attract birds? Sounds like you must have a pretty attractive site

defed · Sat Jun 18, 2022 10:41 am

awesome! i often have an 'explosion' of activity, but so far, just 1 pair. i sure hope i get more so everything is riding on just them.

Martintown33 · Sat Jun 18, 2022 10:54 am

Hey Laura.. how did your T 14 work out?
Rob

Birdiegirl · Sat Jun 18, 2022 11:18 am

Hey Rob

The birds around here seem to be drawn to the barns first... but.... I'm happy to report that our T-14 has seven nests with eggs. I suspect two of the nests are 'duds'- just one or two eggs that should've hatched already but haven't. The other five nests look great and I expect to see hatchlings in at least one on this afternoon's nest check. Hopefully you feel some satisfaction in that report- your advice throughout the build process helped so very much! How about you? How many takers in your T-14?

white-out · Sat Jun 18, 2022 11:42 am

That's great news Buckeye! Do you have many nests with green leaves and no eggs? I have 9 cavities like this.
I went from 1 pair with 6 eggs that all 6 fledged to 11 pair, 5 hatched plus 46 eggs as of the 14th. Sure is nice seeing the sky filled with all these birds.

defed · Sat Jun 18, 2022 11:53 am

white-out wrote: ↑
Sat Jun 18, 2022 11:42 am
That's great news Buckeye! Do you have many nests with green leaves and no eggs? I have 9 cavities like this.
I went from 1 pair with 6 eggs that all 6 fledged to 11 pair, 5 hatched plus 46 eggs as of the 14th. Sure is nice seeing the sky filled with all these birds.

i only have 1 pair but 2 complete nests w/ green leaves (one they are using and one vacant) and a 3rd w/ a cpl green leaves and not much else. i think the male wanted one gourd and the female wanted the other because the vacant nest is the 1st one i saw them entering/spending the night in.

Buckeye658793 · Sat Jun 18, 2022 12:22 pm

This is my third year the first year I had visitors but none stayed I do have a few nests with leaves but no eggs I have another nest that had 5 eggs and all of the eggs disappeared but one my site is wide open with no trees near by it is about 40 feet from my house I also have a small pond about 150 feet from my site I love to sit outside and watch them swoop down to get a drink they will also fly through my fountain I have in the pond

Martintown33 · Sat Jun 18, 2022 3:49 pm

Hi Laura. I’m glad your colony is having success. I don’t have my T14 anymore. That was several years ago. That’s why I had some small knowledge about them . Glad to help.. my colony has fledged for the season, so they’ll be joining the roost soon..
Good luck on the rest of your season..
Rob

C.C.Martins · Sat Jun 18, 2022 5:07 pm

Those are good numbers! Yes time to think about how you will look in the future years for sure. Congrats!
Tom

Birdiegirl · Mon Jun 20, 2022 7:15 am

Great news indeed Buckeye- sounds like you are on your way. I'm also new to the martin hobby- and I'm easily distracted by their activity when I'm home. You mentioned watching the birds swoop down for a drink- with the hot temps last week I watched a few do a little splashing on the water's surface too. So much fun- good luck with your growing colony!