Last of the fledges

[C.C.Martins]

Finally, finally the last two nests have started to fledge...can only watch on camera but able to see them come out on the porch, flap and stretch their wings, and make the leap!
Late, late nests. One is a subbie pair with 5 chicks. Close brush with Beryl, some wind and rain kept them in yesterday.
Most of the others do not come by any more, fledges stopped hanging out in big numbers. Adults hung in there. I am definitely a threat, used to be if I walked out they would look and go about their business, then it changed to begging for flipped food and I was greeted like a rock star. Now alarm calls, buzzing and hissing.
They didn't like being lowered (hurricane forecasted) though, lots of protest. They were all out and about eating and teaching their young to return and find their homes lowered bit more than half way, adjusted just fine but you'd have thought I stuck cactus pads on their porches.
I feel a bit guilty, but its a relief, soon enough deafening silence will set in.
I'll get my last purple fix this week, going to see many, many youngsters in their roost this week.
I know lots of our northern friends have a bit to go and I wish it goes great!
One PS: final nest check while lowering the gourds...all empty. I feared for the young one who refused to leave, had one eye, gone. One relocated chick, gone, and the adult male with the scabbed over eye was hanging around looking just fine with his one eye.

[Jones4381]

Great season and updates Tom! It is a somber but satisfying relief when it's over...kinda ready for the last one's to empty up here and call it a great season as well. Glad that hurricane zigged instead of zagging for you guys. Seems you guys get an extra month on us further north so we ain't feeling to sorrow for you guys/gals down in TX/FL/LA lol. Thanks again for good advice and being a sounding board again this year. Well done Sir!

[C.C.Martins]

No kidding, that storm just won't quit, already made landfall, its up near Dallas and its still a tropical storm. Hope they retire the name.
Good description, somber yet satisfying. I like that.
Haha, yes I get it! Purple dots early, yet we pay the price for that. Your own season was especially sweet i trust, heart breaks last year, lots of off season work and now the seeds you planted are blooming!

[Martintown33]

Congrats on another successful season Tom…im glad the questionable ones made it… great news about the storm , not getting a direct hit on your site.. yep, hurricane season just cranking up… im wrapped up here.. none returning at night anymore.. still seeing and hearing a few flying and feeding above.. yep, the silence sets in.. but I had a surprise this morning. My bluebird pair decided to have a mid summer brood.. nest building started this morning.. I had to hurry up and fabricate a shade panel for the west facing wall, add an elbow vent, and paint the roof white.. it’s fun watching them..when the chicks hatch, the male sits and waits a few feet from me, as I load load up crickets in his feeder.. funny watching him grab 5 or so at a time to bring back to the chicks..
Rob

[Phil01]

Congratulations on another great season Tom! Man, those are some great numbers this year! Your satellite colony really exploded! Your hard work out there was rewarded! Glad to hear that your one eyed martins made it too! That’s awesome! You’ll be able to tell which ones they are next season for sure, just look for the two wearing eye patches! Haha

Glad to see that storm decided to turn to starboard and not give you a direct hit as well. Hurricane season can be a pain in the butt sometimes…

It’s funny how they can turn on you at fledging time, isn’t it? I had one ASY male that all of sudden decided he hated me right before his babies fledged. Was out there one evening watching them come in as I had all season, looked down for a second, when I looked back up he was a ft from my head at speed, squawked and flew right over my shoulder! Scared the poop out of me! lol From that day on he buzzed me till his chicks fledged. All the other martins could care less when I lowered their housing. He was doing his job well!

It has definitely gotten quieter around here too. About 7 or 8 hanging around but 4 are parents with nests. One with 4 chicks due to fledge 15 July. Have a nest with 4 eggs that hadn’t hatched on my last nest check 6 days ago. I have a feeling they have though. Been seeing parents coming and going a lot the past few days. Was gonna check it this afternoon but heat index was 109 and then it rained so I’m gonna try again tomorrow. I’m very curious to see if they hatched…. Will be a crazy late nest if they did..

Again, congrats on a great year my friend! Always enjoy reading your posts and learning from you!
Phil

[Thomas Maddox]

Bittersweet. Mine are now gone in SWLA. My colony grew this year. Very satisfying. I bought and will an 8 gourd rack (Troyer summer special) with Troyer verticals in the Fall. My wife can't wait to decorate the rack for Halloween and Christmas. Ha. I also bought the their new EZ off gourd. It's larger than their prior gourds. Great year.

[C.C.Martins]

Thanks guys,
Rob, I wish we had blue birds here. Glad they will be adding to your season. Yeah no kidding, just ramping up the hurricanes. Bring it now, more worried about the birds...do not tell my wife....

Phil,
Very happy with the preserve, talk about staff support!!!! I have a wish list for 2025, she said yes we can do all that. Next day trees were clear, grass cut way way back, and order links sent to her. Next day.
Its not a "second thought" or "oh look at the bird feeders" or fight to carve out a space feeling any more. Birds happy too, that's what counts.
Your going to have to help me with Starboard....im an AF guy....big L and R on my shoes sir....air-conditioning and carpet on the floors....!!!!!!!
Funny in a comforting way isn't it, love they are so defensive. I swear they hear my garage door to the house open and close and get ready. I love the stories they give us, when asked by people if they are as gentle as they look we will all say welllllllllllllllll.........
Thomas,
It is bitter sweet, sprint to keep up with them and deal with issues then its all done. Almost over night. Fun planning for next year, get it all done then....wait!
Think they will love it, fill em all up! My neighbor decorates his rack too, turned it into a Christmas tree! Looked pretty cool actually.
Tom

[Martintown33]

Tom, it will be interesting next season, to see if “captain blye”, your one eyed male returns … I’m hoping he does.. wouldn’t that be incredible…. I always wondered how a one eyed Martin would be able to catch flying insects, with his depth perception some what off, with only one eye. Well, He has proven it can be done.. I’m pulling for him to make it back… That would be awesome..
Good luck.
Rob

[Mstan]

That would be a great story Tom. I hope that one eyed Martin makes it back next year. Now that might spark some interest in landlording.

[Kegger]

Here’s to one eye Tom! I sweated Beryl when it was still in the Atlantic. Sounds like most of us are winding the purple season down. This past year was the first time my #1 Asy pair had 3 eggs, 3 fledged ,started to remodel the nest then gave up the gourd to a pair of SY which laid and fledged 5 and left for roost around July3. Another male had 2 broods of 3 with 2 different females ASY and a SY) but only 1 fledged from each attempt. I am all cleaned up all ready and ready for 2025. Have a safe summer to all! Happy Martinning!!

[Phil01]

Tom, Wow, you are very fortunate to have that kind of support at the preserve! Sounds like the staff is incredible! I’m sure it makes your life much easier getting so much cooperation from them! Are you adding additional housing there for next year?

So starboard= right foot, port= left foot. lol We used to always joke how much better the Air Force takes care of their people than the other services.. Air conditioned tents… When it comes time to build a base.. Housing, PX, clubs, golf course, then if there is any money left, they put in an air strip…

They assume the position when that garage door opens, huh? Here he comes! lol Yes, such gentle creatures, put up housing they LOVE being around people!

Oh, and sure enough, those 4 eggs hatched, 4 healthy looking young. Earliest fledge date July 31st.

Phil

[Matt F.]

Great report Tom!
Reading your post is a reminder that hosting and managing Martins is not for faint of heart!

[C.C.Martins]

Thanks Phil!!!! Hahaha. Im surrounded by Navy guys at work, lots of fun with the rivalry. I remember almost getting into trouble for calling the "Dining facility" a chow hall. I like chow hall.
And oh boy, late season for you my friend! Glad they hatched and look good.

Matt,
It isn't an easy life style, definitely not for the feight of heart. Think there's a streak of real life a mile wide in us.