ASY Landlord

[hhudson26]

Well, the second year is about done, so I guess next year I'll be an ASY Landlord. It was a good year, as we had occupants in 4 compartments, and I was able to watch the last two fledge yesterday while the proud parents guided them through their first flights. The colony still hangs around throughout the day, and at times I've counted twelve martins just hanging out. Thanks to all who helped through a couple of other conversations this year, and we sure look forward to setting up again next year!

First nest - 4 eggs, 4 hatched, 4 fledged
Second nest - 5 eggs, 5 eggs disappeared (possibly a sparrow who is no longer with us)
Third nest - 5 eggs, 2 eggs disappeared, 3 hatched, 3 fledged
Fourth nest - 3 eggs, 2 hatched, 2 died (don't know what happened, but they didn't look well from the start)

[C.C.Martins]

Congrats, its been a challenging year for martins and landlords all over. Your birds did well, enjoy them while they linger around! Sounds like your looking forward to next year, hope 2023 is as good or better for you!

Oh, happy4th of July!!!!!!!!
Tom

[Sharon - Central TX]

Yes it has definitely been a challenging year. Congratulations on the successful fledges and heartfelt understanding on the losses.
Yesterday one of our two remaining nests fledged. There were three young and several times we had to return them to the nest due to jumping out and once I’m pretty certain two were pushed out by a subadult that I saw enter the gourd. Checked the nest this morning and found one of the three dead.
We still have a nest with four very active young. The parents are finding food and staying busy feeding. Not scheduled to fledge until at least the middle of July which is concerning with the heat. Hubby put up a nice shade cloth around the gourd so all we can do is pray they make it. It is vented in the back and on the cap so we’ve done what we can to help them.
I always end every season saying we learned something new. This year was one I hope we don’t repeat due to all the losses both from the heat and hawks. But there were a lot of successes as well which brought forth the joy we have come to love watching these amazing birds.

[Birdiegirl]

I love the term ASY landlord- several of us on here are hoping to graduate to that level. Congratulations on your success this year!

Here's what I learned year 2:

My housing needs could use more venting and more shade (I'll be painting my barn roofs white for next year, saving election signs to use as sun shields, and installing gourd vents- thanks for those tips forum landlords!)
Nest trays make life much easier- love them in the T-14, need to devise some for my barns.
Plug and pull method really works for keeping older nestlings safe during nest checks!
I will keep trying with the supplemental feeding- plan offer nesting material and eggshells despite little interest this year
I now see the love/hate relationship for SY-M. Mischief is one thing, but killing nestlings?

And still so much to learn! Appreciate all the help I've found here.