1. Several days ago, I had several visitors. Last Saturday, I counted 5 prenests. But last night(unless I missed some ) only one pair came in for the night. Did last year's pair build more than one prenest?
2. This morning I see material being brought into the gourd that last year's pair nested in(and stayed in last night). Then I see nest material being brought out of that gourd to be put in another. I know I had at least 2 pair around my setup today. Is this stealing or last year's pair trying to make up their mind? The "stealing" is being done by a ASY male.
Couple of newbie questions
PMCA member
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
They get nesting materials from wherever they see it. They may steal from a nextdoor cavity. Don't worry, that is normal. And sometimes they start nests in 2 or 3 cavities, again, that is normal, they finally settle down in one but sometimes they may even lay an egg in the wrong place.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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dancingirl76
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:09 am
- Location: Albia, IA
Last year one of my pairs but nesting materials in three compartments. They had their main nest that they laid their eggs in, then the male had a compartment he stayed in at night, and then he had put some material in another compartment. I think he just didn't want anyone around other than the one other nesting pair that they were "friends" with. Then when that pair's male came up missing that male took care of her too.
I think sometimes it is like they want to save a whole table at a restaurant and are tipping the chairs in to save their place lol
I think sometimes it is like they want to save a whole table at a restaurant and are tipping the chairs in to save their place lol
dancingirl76