HATCH RATE LOWER

[TONY FREDERICKSON - TEXAS]

BY 10% at this site, 2006 compared to same date in 2005. Last year ,, as of 12 May, there were 1479 eggs laid, 375 eggs hatched divided by 390 eggs eligible to hatch= 96.15% hatch rate.

This year, 2006, as of 12 May, there have been 1539 eggs laid total, 539 eggs hatched divided by 623 eggs eligible to hatch = 86.52% hatch rate.

Where does this go Not totally sure However, even though there have been a share of adults killed this year, cars, Multiple Copulations, etc, it's a number that I've been thinking could occur------ our friends at the Texas coast , John Barrow and Louise Chambers,have been warning us to be aware of FOOD availability,,,,,, This is a possibily low hatch rate based on some factors the Martins have picked up on,,,, all of which we're not privy to now,,,, too early,,,,, however,,,,, it's a possibility I can't ignore Notice that they're hatching earlier as well Friend In Texas

[Scully]

Tony, seems like more'n usual failed eggs over here too, along with fewer eggs in our case.

Maybe some eggs are better than others in terms of nutritional content when laid, this being a reflection of the feeding status of the female. Or else, perhaps in hard times incubating females have to spend more time away from the eggs foraging, resulting in some getting chilled.

Just guesses.
Mike Scully

[John Barrow]

Hi Friends,

While my colonies in Port O'Connor are holding their own and might produce an acceptable 4 nestlings per nest average, we are seeing the hard affects of the drought in Corpus Christi, where we are over 8 inches behind annual rainfall averages--less than 2 inches the past 8 months. I am seeing smaller egg clutches, fewer nestlings hatching from eggs and too many runts within a brood.

I have been supplemental feeding crickets and mealworms for the past 3 weeks and have had ASY and SY martins feeding regularly from day one. With many nestlings appearing I fed about 500 crickets and several hundred mealworms today and there was a frenzy at the feeder late this evening. It was my third feeding beginning around 3 pm today. None of the nestlings are very old and I imagine there will be a huge growning demand in the next couple of weeks. We have had little success feeding eggs down here, but will try again beginning tomorrow and I will be surprised if martins aren't feeding regularly on eggs by this time next week. It will be interesting to compare productivity results between colonies that supplementally feed and those that don't. I don't believe SF will make the difference it does in the north, but should have some data this year.

Best wishes to all. jb

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

I have the most cavities ever with martins, they are busy feeding the babies, but I don't have detailed records. I checked 3 gourds yesterday, all 3 had 6 babies, some were within a week of flying, some were medium size, and some were just born. There are only 3 empty gourds at my place.

We had 3 recent rains about 1 week apart, with each rain about 3/4 inch so the bugs are abundant here. Things are looking great here.

I have found 3 live babies, I put them into gourds, and they are all 3 ok, but I also have found 3 dead babies on the ground. This is also below normal, so I am extremely happy with the results.

Also, I have not sprayed with sevin, and I saw no mites.

[abernathys]

Hey Tony--I have noticed alot of unhatched eggs in the nests. I have a few seven egg nests but mostly fives and fours. In about half of the five egg clutches only four are hatching. I have been wondering about the amount of bugs also. We have had around 10 inches of rain within the last month, hoping that will keep bringing on the bugs.

Sandy

[~Patrick~]

Same here for me in Fort Worth. I have several nests with only 2 or 3 eggs. One nest of 2 eggs nest is overdue and I fear they won't hatch. One pair hatched all 3 eggs but I found one baby dead on the ground. But, I have one pair with 5 that seem to be growing well and one nest with 6 that should be all hatched out. I've seen the parents removing eggshells and bring back insects. Wednesday's nest check will tell me if they've all hatched. Overall, my numbers are down. At my last nest check, I had 20 chicks and 25 eggs out of 11 nests. Even if all of these hatch and fledge, that's only an average of 4 hatchlings per nest.

Patrick