Interesting start this year

[mjfog]

Good Morning to all,
My "first nest check" each season is triggered by the decreasing frenzy displayed during gathering nest material and nest building. It's like the girls say, "enough is enough. Time to lay eggs!" Last year my first nest check was March 24 and I counted 52 nests and 20 empty gourds. On 30 March last year, my second check, I counted 60 nests (6 with eggs) and 12 empty gourds.
My first check this year was yesterday, 4, April. My count was 63 gourds with nest material (most nests were not complete), 8 gourds empty and no eggs. One of the empty gourds (Rack 3, Lower 9) presented a single dead ASY male.
My first arrivals at my colony last year was December 27. First arrivals this year was 13 January; 17 days later than last.
How are you other landlords doing?
Mike Fogarty, Palm City, FL.

[sle62]

Hi Mike, I am a bit south of you in Jupiter. Similar results here. First arrival was January 3rd this year. First eggs were 3/21 and by 4/5/24, there were 22 eggs. As of 4/525 (yesterday), there were 4 eggs in one condo and 1 egg in 2 other condos. I, too, found a dead ASY last month. I was wondering if this delay in egg laying is because of the cooler weather we have had this spring.

[Dave Reynolds]

Mike .. Sounds great down there…. Up here in Southeastern Ohio Valley, my Martins are about 3 weeks early, We are going to have a few days down in the 20’s at night, after that we will be in the good weather…. Have a super year..

Dave

[Stingray]

Good posts. Thanks for sharing.
I'm in Plantation, Florida. Mine is a small colony of 18 super gourds.
I don't keep detailed records as some here, though it would probably be a good idea.
My birds first arrived on 1/18 this year and I've had fewer birds return than last year...about 12 pairs.
My last nest check was yesterday. I have 4 completed pm nests, two with eggs.
Some of the others have a few leaves in them.
These are definitely lower numbers than last year as I recall marking the gourds with the date of check and # of eggs on the outside. I had pretty much full occupancy last year.
I am also battling a pair of persistant PIA pair of starlings and a Coopers hawk that has made two successful attacks on my colony. Very difficult to watch that.
I have a pellet gun and a trap for the starlings and a fog horn for the hawk.
These two intruders have affected my colony. I believe some martins have abandoned the colony as their numbers have dropped significantly and they've changed their behavior.
I'm outside as much as possible trying to end the starlings and hoping to discourage the hawk.
Bumpy start to this season.
Looking to smooth things out soon.
I hope all works out for everyone.

[Thomas Maddox]

Crazy. Do the Starlings actually attack the PMs?

[Stingray]

Crazy. Do the Starlings actually attack the PMs?

Yes they do.
I've seen it a couple of times.
The starlings need to go.