First Pair. Is Fledging 4 Out of 5 a Successful Nesting Experience In Their Mind?

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Bird Brain
Posts: 240
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:22 am
Location: Highland Village, TX
Martin Colony History: 2022-visitors, 2023-visitors, 2024-1 pair, fledged 4

Had 5 chicks. One died in the gourd. I think I know the answer to this question. But I guess I wanted to hear it from the experts.
Our nation's destruction is not incompetence. It's intentional. Once you realize that, everything makes sense.
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C.C.Martins
Posts: 2876
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- 40 pair.
HOSP: 52 Starlings: 29
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: 39 pair,
PMCA member

Oh I'm sure. Imagine what goes on out of sight of the colony.
How many fledges are too weak or just can't keep up. Here for example, should have 100+ chicks returning at night. Unless some adults have taken them straight away not near that many return night after night.
In their mind, its a success and your place safe.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
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flyin-lowe
Posts: 3582
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
Location: Indiana/Henry Co.

I think their instinct tells them these things happen. I have seen members have there entire colony destroyed by a tornado, killing all young, destroying eggs, etc. and as soon as the houses were put back up they re nested. Had the same colony been wiped out by a snake or owls they probably would have been gone for good. it is not uncommon at all to have some eggs not hatch, or have some babies not make it and I don't think that has ever caused issues with them not returning.
2024 HOSP count-26
2023 60+ pair, HOSP count-8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP count-14
2021 62 nest fledged aprox. 230, HOSP count-9
2020 42 nest, Fledged 164, HOSP count-8
2019- 31 Pair over 100 fledged
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair nested, 12 eggs total, fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles away, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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Martintown33
Posts: 1025
Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
Location: Laplace,La
Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack

Agree with the above responses… 4 of 5 can definitely be considered a success! Great job..
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
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Bird Brain
Posts: 240
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:22 am
Location: Highland Village, TX
Martin Colony History: 2022-visitors, 2023-visitors, 2024-1 pair, fledged 4

Thanks guys for the reassurance.
Our nation's destruction is not incompetence. It's intentional. Once you realize that, everything makes sense.
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Jones4381
Posts: 720
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:54 pm
Location: Rocky Mount VA
Martin Colony History: 60 gourds
2020- visitors
2021- 1 pair-5
2022- 5 pair-20
2023 34 pair-44
2024 39 pair-TBD

Great job...many younglings die a early death..makes the species more special in doing what we do in our opinions...in Nature it's always been a numbers game...you put out good numbers in 4 of 5 in that home you provided...not what you wish maybe...but a success. 100% with the other's responses.
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
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