I did a nest check today to check on some hatchlings on my deluxe 12 gourd rack. My observation was 31 successfully fledged, 18 hatchlings with 4 eggs. I did a nest change on one gourd with 6 young birds. I went ahead and did nest changes on 7 gourds that the martins had fledged. My thinking was that the juveniles would continue to return to their original gourds at night if they were clean and dry. Does anyone else do this? or am I wasting time and material.
Stan
Nest change post fledging.
I'd say that cleaning nests out of fledged gourds is a good practice. You'll clean out any parasites, which will be questing and migrating to other cavities with their usual hosts gone. I suppose it is worth throwing in a handful of clean bedding. Probably not necessary to put bedding in there, but I'm sure any martins staying over night will appreciate it.