Missing fledgling

[Rocky Top]

I have a question. Last year after four years of trying I had my first nesting pair of Martins with five fledging. We also had four or five other Martins flying a round but were not nesting. One afternoon I went out to check on them. They were all gone. I don't know what could have happen. They were no feathers and no indication that they were ever there. I did have an owl guard but no snake protection. My home has been here for over 35 years and I have only seen one snake. Do you have any ideal as to what could have happened.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

My guess is a snake. Snakes leave no clues, they swallow the eggs or martins whole, they move mostly at night when you don't see them. I hate that you lost the martins. Snake guards are strongly recommended

If you live anywhere in the South, I will say that you have several snakes around your house that you may never see.

[Louise Chambers]

How old were the nestlings? If they were 26 days old, or older, they could have flown from the nest - but you should have seen them returning at night for a while.

So I agree with Emil, most likely a snake - they leave no sign they were there, other than missing martins and eggs. Snake guards are a key component to birdhouse systems, without them snakes and raccoons will have no problems raiding nestboxes and gourds. So build one or buy one, but next year be sure to install one on every pole. I hope you'll attract more birds.

[Peggy Riley]

Rocky Top, Godley is covered with rat snakes. Please add simple snake netting to your pole. Good PM friends is both Cleburne and Burleson have dealt with them many times.