All is well at Robin's Nest in Louisiana and I hope everyone is having a great season....happy to announce I have 54 eggs in 36 nests already!! I have cavities that are nest building like crazy the last few days, so more nests to come soon.....
This is odd for me...I have 3 specific types of nests this year.... pinestraw only, sticks only with some mud, and the usual stick with leaves (willow branch pieces and live oak leaves). These two new nest types may be new residents for my new second house I put up last year.
I cut many willow branches into 4 to 5 inch pieces and gathered alot of live oak leaves back in January ..they used it like crazy.
It sure is NOISY at 530 am here, and I am loving each day of it !!
wish you all well....
nest check April 29,2013
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ROBINMOULIERE
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:00 pm
- Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
Robin's Nest for purple martins in memory of Mr. Bands. (Mr. Bands came 2010 from New Jersey as a 2 year old. 2011, he CAME BACK TO US, but found dead inside a cavity at start of 2011 season.) 2010- 53 fledged, 2011- 75 fledged, 2012- 109 fledged. Using 2 28 Trendsetter units.
ive noticed this year.....only my 2nd year, that what looks like the bark off of riverbirch trees as nest material! But could be willow tree bark. Im still learning here! All of my cavities are full but one, But I only have 8 cavities! I noticed a starling had breeched a gourd clinger entrance awhile ago while out in the yard, and immediatley upon his exit a a martin had ran him all the way across to the tree line. squawking at him. I did a nest check to see if maybe the rat had killed a PM, but this was one of the cavities that has a nest, but no egg layin yet, and all seemed ok. Also noticed a fresh martin egg had been busted on the ground about 30 feet away, apparently carried away from the colony... whats up with that? ive got 12 eggs so far...maybe 11 now
2012 -first year landlord.... 2 pair, 9 fledged.... 2013- 5 pair 20 fledged..
2014- 8 pair 32 fledged
2014- 8 pair 32 fledged
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ROBINMOULIERE
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:00 pm
- Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
I am not familiar with riverbirch trees. I have not ever seen bark used. It is strange this year to have the 3 types of nests here. I have not had just pinestraw or just sticks before. The pinestraw is neat, woven into a nice nest, cool.
I have had an egg on ground and told they know when one is not good and will sometimes carry it off. I have had eggs go missing on nest checks. I had a young SY lay 11 eggs and kept pushing them around in cavity, and would push out onto the porch!! I wanted to eliminate her from my stats, she hit me bad with 11 and no hatchings, ugh !! But on the log she went.
Wish you well. Those losses are hard to explain, but in the end they seem to know best. I place lots of crickets and worms on the porches to help make search for food for nestlings easier for tired parents.
They grab up those crickets and feed them to nestlings...I smile, cause I think they say, now here, take this and be quiet, I need a nap, lol !!
I have had an egg on ground and told they know when one is not good and will sometimes carry it off. I have had eggs go missing on nest checks. I had a young SY lay 11 eggs and kept pushing them around in cavity, and would push out onto the porch!! I wanted to eliminate her from my stats, she hit me bad with 11 and no hatchings, ugh !! But on the log she went.
Wish you well. Those losses are hard to explain, but in the end they seem to know best. I place lots of crickets and worms on the porches to help make search for food for nestlings easier for tired parents.
They grab up those crickets and feed them to nestlings...I smile, cause I think they say, now here, take this and be quiet, I need a nap, lol !!
Robin's Nest for purple martins in memory of Mr. Bands. (Mr. Bands came 2010 from New Jersey as a 2 year old. 2011, he CAME BACK TO US, but found dead inside a cavity at start of 2011 season.) 2010- 53 fledged, 2011- 75 fledged, 2012- 109 fledged. Using 2 28 Trendsetter units.