are now flying. The baby of them all took his leap of faith yesterday afternoon. He was alittle shaky but he soon got his act together and is flying as well as his 2 siblings. My other 5 babies from a second brood have been flying for a week now and returning every evening. I think it is fixing to be very quiet and lonely around the place. But we had a long season from February until August. Still have around 40 to 50 birds in the mornings until about 1:00--I think they have been waiting on the late ones. I guess its time to start getting ready for next year. Hopefully no hurricanes will become a threat anytime soon.
I am glad your last baby martins made it! My last babies fledged July 23 and their mother brought them back to roost through July 28. She had three and all survived. After that, hardly anymore martins have visited our colonies though some will fly over occasionally and even land on nearby utility lines. I have all my gourd racks and houses lowered and will start putting the gourds away soon. Yes, it has been a long martin season for us, too! I am already starting to think about my colony set-up for 2006. That preparation process for the next martin season is almost as much fun as the season itself! Glad you had a good season and good luck in 2006.
Hey Steve--I have gotten to really enjoy these last eight babies, since they are the only familes left. I have got to see them take bugs from ma and pa in the air and practicing flying, without all the subbie males trying to knock them down. They are flying so well its unbelievable. These two familes were adult PM's and the males have been super in doing their part of the work. Thinkin of putting up more gourds next year, this was my first year with gourds. I liked them and they were full. Some of my older birds really like the houses though.
I'm so glad your first season at your new place turned out so good, aside from the coopers hawks and owl taking your fledgings. Hopefully next year will be even better. Have a good off season and keep sending the informative posts, love reading them.
He was alittle shaky but he soon got his act together and is flying as well as his 2 siblings. My other 5 babies from a second brood have been flying for a week now and returning every evening. I think it is fixing to be very quiet and lonely around the place. 
But we had a long season from February until August. Still have around 40 to 50 birds in the mornings until about 1:00--I think they have been waiting on the late ones. I guess its time to start getting ready for next year. Hopefully no hurricanes will become a threat anytime soon.