Even after 25 years of hosting martins in southern Indiana, surprises continue.
A huge surprise came the 5 days between April 28 and May 4th. Two gourds devoid of nests on April 28 had nests with an egg on May 4th.. That is lightning speed to select a gourd, build a nest and lay the first egg!
I think the trigger of speed of events is the sudden abundance of food with our hot weather. We're having June-like temperatures with highs in the 80's and lows in the 60's. That's not southern Indiana in May. It's not a typical year.
Strange start to nesting year
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 2737
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024:
HOSP: 35 Starlings: 23
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 36 PMCA excluder gourds, 6 room trio mini castle with troyer tunnels and enlarged compartments.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024
PMCA member
Wow, id say!!! Probably surprised everyone involved. Congrats!
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.