New landlord has questions, someone please reply

[jmrogers-TX]

I have Trio Grandpa 12, for the second year at my new home location.
Had three pairs last year late in May. Two fledge. So I'm new at this.
I have some questions: I had three pair at my trio for about three days. I never see them come back to the house at night. 1. where do they go at night? 2. Are they nocturnal feeders. 3. The females always seem to be following the males to the house during the day, I thought it was supposed to ne the other way around!. I only have been seeing them from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM and then again from 6:00 PM to about 6:45 PM. Today they were at the house 11:00 AM thru 4:30 PM and very noisy flying diving and entering compartments as pairs for several minutes. I have 2 ASY males 2 ASY Females ( very grey ) and an SY ( small and slender) female and an SY male( slender and very black).
4. Does all this activity mean mating has begun? 5. How soon should I notice nest building. I know these are a lot of questions ,but I need help understanding these great birds. Thanks all, Jack

[TreeGreenwood]

I had three pair at my trio for about three days. I never see them come back to the house at night. 1. where do they go at night?

Most likely, they roost in trees in the area. Sometimes a bridge, wires, reeds on an island, and a variety of other spots have been reported.

2. Are they nocturnal feeders.

No. The only swallows that I've seen feeding at night are Barn Swallows taking advantage of bugs attracted to floodlights.

3. The females always seem to be following the males to the house during the day, I thought it was supposed to ne the other way around!.

In my very limited experience, males choose the site and bring females in to check it out. The females choose the cavity. Once bonded as a pair, then the male will follow his mate to defend her from advances by other males.

I only have been seeing them from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM and then again from 6:00 PM to about 6:45 PM. Today they were at the house 11:00 AM thru 4:30 PM and very noisy flying diving and entering compartments as pairs for several minutes. I have 2 ASY males 2 ASY Females ( very grey ) and an SY ( small and slender) female and an SY male( slender and very black).
4. Does all this activity mean mating has begun?

'Pair bonding' may be a more accurate description. Actual mating (copulation) may take place before or during the pair bonding and definitely after.

5. How soon should I notice nest building.

When the Martins are ready. Shouldn't be long now for you. Up here, I've only seen a few scouts feeding while the weather is suitable.

Take care,
Tree

[jmrogers-TX]

Tree thanks for the info. Jack

[robndebby]

My Martins are doing the same thing, see them in the morning, then again in the evening. For the past few days they have been here during the day off and on. My feeling is they arrive and because it's still cool, they spend much of the arrival time feeding. From what we've observed, nest building and mating follow in a few weeks. The activity really gets going when they are nest building. We love to sit and watch them try to get a stick in that's bigger than the hole! Please don't forget to do your nest checks. We keep a log of how many eggs in each compartment, that lets us know how many babies we should be seeing soon. And you want to make sure there are no problems, dead birds, mites or bugs of any kind.

Good luck to you. Let us know how it goes.

[jmrogers-TX]

Rob,

It must be a lot colder at your location! We have been having 78 to 89 degree weather here( just north east of Houston, TX ) for about 3-4 weeks.
There are lots of Marins flying here. I've counted 30 or more on the high tension wires in the area. There are at least four other colonies within 2-3 blocks from mine(Trio Grandpa 12 compartment). The other locations around here have 2 houses (16 or more compartment) and another location has 2 houses( each 16 compartments) plus gourds hanging below. So you see there is a lot of competition for the Martins that come here.

Jack