Found lone egg in nestless compartment-what to do

[Guest]

Yesterday, I found a lone egg in a nestless compartment next door to one with a nest and 4 eggs. Should I move the lone egg into the nest with the others?? Or just discard it???

[Louise Chambers]

Joan, if you are sure that no martins are using the empty compartment, and no other eggs have been added, go ahead an move it next door. Is this a subbie or adult pair? Martins sometimes get confused about which compartment is theirs - this is more common with subadult birds.

When you lower the house to check on that egg, if there is a second in that compartment, you'll know to leave the egg in place, and put a handful or two of nest material in there. If that compartment still has just the one egg, move the lone egg next door. the 4 egg room might have 4 or 5 eggs today, depending on how many that female is going to have in her clutch.

Let us know what happens -

Louise

[klcretired]

Louise,
Thanks for the Clarification , I had always thought that maybe just after breeding that some female's laid what i call a "Dummy" or "Blank" egg not really fertilized yet so i always just left the single egg's alone.
With what you are telling us , if i watch closely from now on i could slip the single egg in a clutch of 4 or 5 and it would be okey the female would welcome the new egg.
You know being a PM LL is exciteing , Fun & Rewarding ,i Learn something new every day.

[Guest]

Update from La. Joan: I did a nest check today and found the egg on the ground. It had been pecked and thrown about 6 feet from the house. The next door nest now has 5 eggs (4 yesterday).

Louise- I really appreciate the info. I will remember this for the next time. THANKS!!!!