Hi to all,
Nothing special; just out on my deck enjoying a pleasant summer afternoon here in south Florida. My martins are active bringing bugs to the nestlings. I dropped one rack yesterday and have youngsters from eggs, pinkies to guys sporting pinfeathers. Will finish my count of the colony tomorrow and report my results for the week.
Had flyovers this afternoon by white ibis, whistling tree ducks, mottled ducks all accompanied to the tune of a very vocal mocking bird. I really like to watch the flight aerobatics purple martins display and the speeds they can achieve when the wind is at their backs for an extra boost. Around 8 PM, the REAL fighter jets showed! Chimney swifts. A lot of chittering and a flight display that's really hard to follow. My, they are quick.
I'll post Nest Check 8's results tomorrow.
Mike, Palm City, Florida
Enjoying birds
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mjfog
- Posts: 443
- Joined: Sat Dec 30, 2017 3:40 pm
- Location: Palm City, FL
- Martin Colony History: 2018 will be my first try. 6 S&K B09s. 29 eggs - 8 fledged
2019 - 12 Troyer Horizontals with tunnels, 6 S&K B09s and 12 B011s all with tunnels. 43 eggs - 36 fledged
2020 - Rack 1 - 6 B011s, Rack 2 - 24 B011s, and Rack 3 - 24 Troyer Horizontals. All gourds have tunnels, porches and crescent/Conley 11 entrances; racks have predator guards. 161 eggs - 88 fledged.
2021 - 54 gourds-214 eggs, 184 hatched, 168 fledged.
2022 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 363 eggs, 294 hatched, 278 fledged.
2023 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 321 eggs, 276 hatched, 246 fledged.
2024 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 330 eggs, 283 hatched, 250 fledged.
2025 - 3 racks of 24 gourds. 347 eggs, 281 hatched, 266 fledged.
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Mstan
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2024 7:52 pm
- Location: Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2023- 2 racks. 24 gourds
2024- 2 racks.28 gourds. 100 fledged
2025- 3 racks. 24 gourds,6 chirpy nest.105 fledged.
Appreciate the post. The Martins are great to watch in the evening. I sit on my deck and watch them against beautiful sunsets. In my third year I currently have 37 gourds on three different racks. My last nest check counted 88 eggs. I believe I have 100% occupancy. I also have three boxes with tree swallows and two with bluebirds.
I enjoy reading your post on the progress of your colony. Thank you.
I enjoy reading your post on the progress of your colony. Thank you.
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Thomas Maddox
- Posts: 580
- Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:23 pm
- Location: Sulphur, Louisiana
Great to hear! Record numbers for me this year in SWLA. They seem to be thriving, and I'm keeping the HOSPS at bay.
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Stingray
- Posts: 426
- Joined: Wed May 11, 2005 9:45 pm
- Location: Plantation/Florida
- Martin Colony History: 2005 to present
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the post.
It's the little things that bring us joy.
For me, there is something special about getting joy from these beautiful songbirds. I've been a landlord for 21 years and cannot count how many hours I've sat out in early mornings and evenings just watching and listening to my martins.
I especially enjoy watching them in the evening as they feed way up high then fold their wings and drop into their gourds to feed their young the last meal of the day.
They finished last night a few minutes after 8.
My neighbor across the canal also sits out and enjoys them.
It's a great hobby!
Have a great season!
Plantation, Florida
PMCA member
Plantation, Florida
PMCA member