Behavior of martins in failed nesting attempts ?

[stan kostka]

Hi All, Recently here in Washington State we had a run of bad weather during late June and into early July. When I did nest checks recently several nests that had eggs in June were now empty. So, I'm curious what you folks might know about how martins behave when their nest fails. We do not have any such information specific to Western Martins, but I think it's reasonable to assume it would not be unlike that of Eastern birds. So,, what can you tell me ? Will the adults remove eggs, or dead nestlings, in an attempt to renest ? There is still time for them to renest here, we have had a few cases in the past of very late nests. One time I banded 14 day old young on September first, so those eggs were not even laid until late July. No way to know with certainty but I feel it was a second attempt since both attending birds were full adults.
Thanks for any info.
Stan Kostka
Seattle

[Bird Brain]

yes. Martins will sometimes remove dud eggs, weak chicks (runts) and dead chicks. I've never had a failed nest. I've had chicks die later from mites and heat. Nest abandonment is the more likely in my opinion. Many younger martins change their mind and decide not to commit after the eggs are laid. I guess the commitment and responsibility is just too much for them. It's mostly younger, late arrivals that exhibit this behavior. Older Martins are more responsible and make better parents. I've never witnessed a second attempt either, but I only have 3 years experience.

[Jones4381]

Hi All, Recently here in Washington State we had a run of bad weather during late June and into early July. When I did nest checks recently several nests that had eggs in June were now empty. So, I'm curious what you folks might know about how martins behave when their nest fails. We do not have any such information specific to Western Martins, but I think it's reasonable to assume it would not be unlike that of Eastern birds. So,, what can you tell me ? Will the adults remove eggs, or dead nestlings, in an attempt to renest ? There is still time for them to renest here, we have had a few cases in the past of very late nests. One time I banded 14 day old young on September first, so those eggs were not even laid until late July. No way to know with certainty but I feel it was a second attempt since both attending birds were full adults.
Thanks for any info.
Stan Kostka
Seattle

Typically snakes are the primary reasons for empty nest before fledging around here. Good Luck