how come there seems to be less females then males
Have any more birds shown up at your place? In Seabrook we have nests in 11 gourds--we might have more Martins than places for them. If we'd known we'd have set up another gourd rack.
We're having issues with territorial Martins harassing Swallows...
Wish we could send a few up your way. The colony at Laconia is down to only two nests. Audubon is going to try to assist them in getting it going again, House Sparrows stuffed their boxes--if Laconia starts producing again, you might get some of their young, or even some of ours if we have a good year.
Hang in there!
Chris
SeabrookMartins
We're having issues with territorial Martins harassing Swallows...
Wish we could send a few up your way. The colony at Laconia is down to only two nests. Audubon is going to try to assist them in getting it going again, House Sparrows stuffed their boxes--if Laconia starts producing again, you might get some of their young, or even some of ours if we have a good year.
Hang in there!
Chris
SeabrookMartins
-
Ed Svetich-WI
- Posts: 812
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
- Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
- Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.
Nature can be cruel. Females are at additional risk when collecting nesting materials during the nesting season since they spend more time on the ground where they are at increased risk to predation. Additionally, the stress of egg production can have a negative impact on their health due to calcium loss as well as the nutrient demand to supply the embryo..
Your question is a good one and emphasises the need to supply oyster shell for calcium as well as supplemental feeding during adverse weather. They have to go into the breeding sesson at peak condition for the best results.
Ed
Your question is a good one and emphasises the need to supply oyster shell for calcium as well as supplemental feeding during adverse weather. They have to go into the breeding sesson at peak condition for the best results.
Ed
-
Martin man RI
- Posts: 440
- Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2003 7:04 pm
- Location: MA/RI area
Its sad its taken all these years for people in NH to finally see the light
Martins nest in gourds. And not tiny wooden box's that cannot be lowered.
It would be nice if some kind person would talk to the landlord in Laconia
and educate him on the standards of Martin homes. You must start with these older sites and have them change over to gourds. Once a colony is gone it can be years before another site is started. NH has no super colony's
and a major lack of interest in the Martins. There are probably over 500
pairs of Martins nesting in southern NE why because way back in 2000 we
all changed over to gourds and SREH while most of central and Northern NE
has done almost nothing to help Martins. The colony in Seabrook is a wonderful news and a start. Now lets see gourds in Laconia! Then maybe
you will start to see more Martins.
Ray
Barrington RI 111 pairs of Martins
Rehoboth MA 98 pairs of Martins
Martins nest in gourds. And not tiny wooden box's that cannot be lowered.
It would be nice if some kind person would talk to the landlord in Laconia
and educate him on the standards of Martin homes. You must start with these older sites and have them change over to gourds. Once a colony is gone it can be years before another site is started. NH has no super colony's
and a major lack of interest in the Martins. There are probably over 500
pairs of Martins nesting in southern NE why because way back in 2000 we
all changed over to gourds and SREH while most of central and Northern NE
has done almost nothing to help Martins. The colony in Seabrook is a wonderful news and a start. Now lets see gourds in Laconia! Then maybe
you will start to see more Martins.
Ray
Barrington RI 111 pairs of Martins
Rehoboth MA 98 pairs of Martins