Newbie with question

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Last Wednesday I had to leave town for four days. (Really hated to leave since this is my first year and had three pair of martins building nest.) Returned home on Sunday afternoon around 2:30 and saw no birds. Did a nest check and no eggs but all eight compartments in my Coates house had nest as well as my two gourds. Was getting a little concerned till around 6:30 when my birds finally returned. When they roosted, I thought I counted eight martins. This morning, while they were feeding above the house, I counted 11 martins. My question is, how long does it take for things to settle down? Will the new birds pair up or can they go mateless the entire season harassing the other pairs? I don't know what I have in terms of pairs or SY males versus Sy females. I do know I picked up a SY male. His markings are identical to the pictures in the book. There is a lot of fighting going on which I assume is for compartments. All eleven are not at the house at the same time and it is really frustrating trying to figure out what I have. I really don't know how you experienced landlords with large colonies keep track of what you have and I can't even do it with one house. Maybe I shouldn't be concerned about it and in time the nest checks will answer my question.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

I have a large colony, I don't try to keep track of which ones are paired, I simply enjoy them while they are here. There are still many questions about how they think & act, so watch them and maybe you can help us figure them out...

[CUL Lou~Mich]

Tim. I believe some folks keep track of individual apartments. That way they can figure out that in (for instance) Top left seems to have an ASY male, Sy Female. Top center seems to have, etc, etc. That's also why most folks have they apartments numbered. Especially the gourds. Much easier to look at one and see that it's number 5 than to figure out which compass direction it sits in. That's why you will see numbers on lots of houses that are pictured here. Oh, yes, the fighting can go on all season, if it's unmated males. They apparently do raise a lot of havoc. CUL Lou

[Guest]

Tim, This is when you number your compartments and then every 3 or 4 days your lower your house and do the nest check. It is maddening trying to count your PM's when they come in each evening. Just count the nests with eggs and or babies then you know to add 2 for the adults. PMCA does have some nest check sheets that you can print and start your record keeping. Then next year you'll know what you had this year, etc., etc, etc.. Like Emil, just sit back and enjoy your summer and PM's.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Emil, Ed and CUL LOU, thanks for your replies. I do have my compartments numbered but there seems to be a lot of trespassers going into compartments already claimed. That is why it is hard figuring out what I have.
Emil, I recall in a PM you sent me a couple of weeks ago, you stated to be patient and just sit back and enjoy. Guess I need to re-fill my "be patient" bucket and just be thankful that I have birds my first year.
CUL Lou, thanks for your input and wishing you the best on your upcoming treatments.
This is so much fun!
Tim

[Guest]

Tim, I am having the same trouble getting an accurate count with all the fighting and coming and going. I know there is at least a dozen. Like you I am thankful for the ones I have.

I am going to do what Emil said. Sit back and try to figure them out.