Changing out nesting material

[Birdiegirl]

We've been experiencing a bit of a spring monsoon season in central KY. Everyone says 'we're in a drought!"... but it sure hasn't seemed like it the past two weeks or so. We were able to do our third nest check on Friday- finally a time we were at home, it wasn't raining, and it was the proper time of day! In addition to many first of the season eggs, we encountered some damp nesting material in a few T-14 nests and almost all of the gourds. Not super soaked, but damp to the touch.

I was not prepared to change out nesting material, especially with more rain on the way. It looks like this weather pattern will (finally!) break on Thursday, so I'm planning on the next nest check this Thursday or Friday late afternoon. I would like to change out the nesting material to make things more comfortable, but I would like some advice.

Is there any chance the nests will 'dry out' on their own? All the T-14 apartments and plastic gourds have tunnels on them and are vented with soffit louvers or cooling caps. I honestly think a good part of my problem is that the birds are in full-on nesting mode and are bringing in wet building materials (evidenced by mud splatter on the tunnel faces).

If I do need to spruce things up- do I change out ALL of the nesting material, or just the back part of the nesting cup? I'd rather not handle all those eggs if I don't have to.

In the interest of time, is it okay just to put a layer of dry materials on the top as sort of a barrier rather than remove everything?

For those that have replaced everything, how important is it to replace the green leaves, mud dam, and use the same hay/grass? Seems they might not like to come back to a nest that doesn't look like what they left.

Any advice appreciated!

Laura

[Mstan]

Hello Laura, I’m no expert so just from experience I have found that the nest will dry out. I pre nest all gourds with pine straw I purchase from Troyers which seems to help moisture drain well from gourds.. I don’t think I would disturb the nest when eggs are present. The only time I do a nest change is when mites are present in the gourd after eggs have hatched.I remove all nest materials and wipe the gourd with rubbing alcohol. I make sure gourd is dry then put fresh pine straw back in gourd before putting the nestlings back. I have had good success so far with this method. As I said far from an expert. Hope your season goes well.
Stan

[Bird Brain]

If everything is well ventilated, the nests should dry out in a couple days. I don't think a temporary wet nest is a big deal. It's difficult to change a nest, and can easily cause more harm than good. I would only change a wet nest if I saw a severe parasite problem.

[Birdiegirl]

Thanks very much for the insights, Stan and BB. Definitely don't want to do more harm than good! I'll be curious to see how things look on our next check. Appreciate your replies, best wishes for a productive season!

[Dave Reynolds]

.. I also have one or two nest that appear damp at times, but most dried out in a few days.. I have changed out nesting material when the mites show up.. That's about the only time I change the nesting material .. Good Luck and have a great season...

Dave

[Ed Svetich-WI]

Why take a chance if the nests do not dry out? In a confined space with no air movement, the nests will just fester. Blow flies and other vermin will find a perfect environment for development. If you have the question, there is always that your season could go as sour as your nests. If I find even a damp nest, I change it out with dry material. I have followed this process for over 25 years with martins. You are responsible for their well being. Change any damp nests. You worked hard to attract them. They are now your responsibility.

Ed in Wisconsin

[Ed Svetich-WI]

Additional comment. I change every nest at least twice. Once on day eight after hatching, a second time on day 15. I have kept a journal every year. Historically here, if the nestlings make it to day 12, their chances are good. Most issues with disease or vermin occur around day 8, when the nesslings are still less developed and less able to withstand adverse events. By changing the nests, I have had increased nestling success.

Good luck.

Ed

[Birdiegirl]

For anyone following this thread- I'm happy to report that all but one dampish nest had completely dried out by our follow up nest checks (5 days later). The remaining gourd nest with 6 eggs would probably have been okay, but those parents had used some mulch pieces (odd!) that still seemed slightly damp to me. It made me feel better to quickly change it out and leave nothing to chance. We were fortunate that the rains finally stopped and were followed by a dry spell with lowish humidity.

I really appreciate everyone's comments/advice. I found tons of info on this forum and PMCA's site regarding nesting material changes due to insect infestation, but there is conflicting information out there about when/if to disturb nests during egg-laying and incubation. At the end of the day, it is a landlord judgement call. Obviously, water-logged nests require immediate intervention and replacement as they would be doomed to fail otherwise. But I think my recent situation validates the importance of well-ventilated housing, regular nest checks, and access to replacement nesting material if needed. I am thankful for all the landlords here that stressed those things when I was just starting out! I am also thankful that we don't have the wretched blow flies that Ed and others here have mentioned- my goodness.

Happy martin season everyone

[Mstan]

I like to do weekly nest checks. I experienced something I hadn’t encountered as a landlord recently. On 5/24 I did a nest check and gourd 4 had 5 hatchlings which I recorded. On 6/1 during a nest check gourd 4 had no hatchlings and a foul odor. Upon further inspection the hatchlings were dead and decomposing,the source of the awful odor.i completed a nest change and added fresh pine needles. A pair immediately occupied the gourd. I decided to check the gourd and found 1 egg in it today.. I am a firm believer in regular nest checks.

[John Miller]

One concern from me would be that the nests have eggs, not young. The female is sensitive to the location of her nest bowl she is incubating. So I'd be extra careful, but you say nests have dried out. Hope you have a good season.