I've had two Trio's for ten years and this is the first year I've done nest changes.
I have cut out holes to make them 6X12. The martins only build in the deep compartment and thus when I did my first round of nest changes I only put bedding in the back compartment.
Today I did the second round of nest replacments and found most of the babies had shifted over to the forward compartment, even younger ones. I thought it could be to get closer to the parents returning with food or to get closer to the open door and a better breeze.
Anyway, I put bedding in both compartments this time.
Is this correct?
Shift to forward compartment in heat?
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Dale Hrncirik
Ron,
It's a very good idea to put nest material in both rooms because the young will tend to migrate towards the entrance as they become of age to walk. Those bare aluminum subfloors in the Trios are known to cause/contribute to the condition known as 'leg splay'. You did good!
Dale
It's a very good idea to put nest material in both rooms because the young will tend to migrate towards the entrance as they become of age to walk. Those bare aluminum subfloors in the Trios are known to cause/contribute to the condition known as 'leg splay'. You did good!
Dale
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Guest
I have discussed this issue in several other threads regarding everyone moving to the front room. It does not matter if it is cold or hot. They move to the front room to try to be the first to get the food. If you cut the standard round hole opening between the two compartments I would suggest this winter to cut them larger. As large as you can make them without effecting the integrity of the house. This will cause the PM's to view the rooms as one large room and next year the nest will cover the entire two rooms. The PM's will have more room to move around in and be able to quickly get as far away from the entrance hole as possible when there is trouble.