Pettytown, Tx nest check

[Vern1]

Greetings,
Rack 1 - 16 Natureline gourds with SREH - 32 eggs in 6 gourds, 52 babies in the other 10 gourds ranging from 1 day to 3 weeks old - 100% occupied in second year!

Rack 2 - 8 Natureline gourds with SREH - 1/2 of one pair of EHS....will be less than that when I catch him sitting! The trees exploded around this rack this year so it will get moved next year.

All of the males and most if not all the females in residence are ASY and have been here a while.
I've only had a few subbies (that I could positively identify as such, anyway) in two different waves so far.
They didn't seem to last long as these ASYs are entrenched!

Bugs are thick in the area due to good rains this year.
There are large swarms of bugs and caterpillars in the tops of the trees surrounding the colony since most of them are in full bloom.
The Martins have it good this year - I've watched them circle from the rack to the nearby treetops and back in continuous circles carrying fat insects to feed their young.
The local farm ponds are full of water this year.
I've had the fortune to watch the Martins dive in like a jet fighter and make a quick pass, then loop around, dive in skimming the top of the water, take a quick drink then disappear back into the sky.

I think that having abundant food and water nearby has kept the parents close to home and able to guard their nests better against subbie invasions.

It's raining here off and on again today!
Hope it keeps up, my cows, hay and birds need it.

Knowing that, at least for now, my Martins are full, fat and seemingly happy is a relief.

[Laverne]

Hey Joe.

So glad to hear all is well with you and yours this season. Good that the subbies aren't causing you much trouble. They have been terrible around here.

Keep up the good work and best wishes for many successful seasons to come.

[parkerdes]

Sounds like you are having a great year!!! Rain starts again tonight here just west of DFW & glad for it!
I have had SY infanticide here for the first time & am not happy about it! I guess it is just growing pains but there isn't anything that I can do to prevent it! 8 babies gone so far but there could be almost 100 when all is done...hopefully!!!
Have a great season!!!