Today I was lowering the house, and a fledgling took off, and flew strongly across the field and out of sight. This was 3 days before the calculated "earliest fledge date".
This has never happened to me, actually I've never had any "jumpers" , so I'm interested in the chances of this fledgling surviving.
Thanks.....
Will this jumper survive?
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Peter C
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2007 7:16 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Farmington
- Martin Colony History: Rural area, only known colony in Fayette County, PA
Two wooden T-14s, each with four Troyer horizontal gourds, Conley II entrances
2017 26 pairs, 99 fledged
2016 21 pairs, 74 fledged
2015 15 pairs, 40 fledged
2014 9 pairs, 29 fledged
2013 8 pairs, 20 fledged
2012 1 pair, 4 fledged
2011 1 pair, 4 fledged
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marcus
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 10:21 pm
- Location: Fairland OK
- Martin Colony History: Mom n Dad had a plastic 12 unit martin house with some martins as long as I can remember. In 2013 they had 1 pair. I don't think they fledged any. I then started learning how to take care of martins and in 2014 we took that house down and put up a Troyer 18 gourd rack. We had 7 pair with 28 fledged.That summer I built a T-14 (I was only 12). I was also given 4 natural gourds that I hung beneath the T-14. In 2015, we had 23 pair although only 22 pair fledged young. They fledged 88 young. In 2016, we had 36 pair, 210 eggs, 163 hatched, 149 fledge!! One pair fledged 2 broods. In 2017, I had 36 pair with 35 fledging young. They laid 204 eggs, hatched 155, and fledged 152.
Were their parents helping it fly? I know Okie watched some fledge before the calculated fledge date. Also, could it have been a fledged one that had gone into the wrong compartment and flew back out as you were lowering the house? If it was flying well, I would say it fledged.
-Marcus
-Marcus
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Peter C
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2007 7:16 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Farmington
- Martin Colony History: Rural area, only known colony in Fayette County, PA
Two wooden T-14s, each with four Troyer horizontal gourds, Conley II entrances
2017 26 pairs, 99 fledged
2016 21 pairs, 74 fledged
2015 15 pairs, 40 fledged
2014 9 pairs, 29 fledged
2013 8 pairs, 20 fledged
2012 1 pair, 4 fledged
2011 1 pair, 4 fledged
Yes, looked like at least one of the parents were after it. None of my young had yet reached the fledge date, so I'm just assuming it was startled and took off. Although , like I say, I've never seen this before. I have a good aluminum pole and nice winch on my new T-14, so it lowers fairly quietly and I try my best to make it smooth and slow....
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
If it was gaining any height in it's first flight, that is a great sign that it will be just fine.
Most fledgling will seek out the closest tree. For this youngster it probably took off from the ground within minutes of landing. The parents and fledglings have a strong bond and can actually recognize each others voice. They will ultimately meet up. Many young will stay in nearby tree for the entire day while the parents continue to feed them. I hope this info sets your mind at ease.
Most fledgling will seek out the closest tree. For this youngster it probably took off from the ground within minutes of landing. The parents and fledglings have a strong bond and can actually recognize each others voice. They will ultimately meet up. Many young will stay in nearby tree for the entire day while the parents continue to feed them. I hope this info sets your mind at ease.
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~Ray~Gingerich
- Posts: 2122
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: Delaware/Dover
Your female might have started the brood before final egg or eggs were laid, so that fledgling could be a little older than the others in the nest. Have had eggs hatch 3 days apart here.
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
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Peter C
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2007 7:16 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Farmington
- Martin Colony History: Rural area, only known colony in Fayette County, PA
Two wooden T-14s, each with four Troyer horizontal gourds, Conley II entrances
2017 26 pairs, 99 fledged
2016 21 pairs, 74 fledged
2015 15 pairs, 40 fledged
2014 9 pairs, 29 fledged
2013 8 pairs, 20 fledged
2012 1 pair, 4 fledged
2011 1 pair, 4 fledged
Thank you, that is reassuring. He flew while the house was still almost at the top, and never landed on the ground but took off on the wing. So hopefully he will do well...