I said I was going to video tape the roost and by GOD I did. I am a woman of my word.

8 or so Martins visiting on the housing. Seems like small family groups. I have noticed that the fledglings seem to enter the compartments whereas the adults will only peer in. I took down the barn and gave it a quick cleaning. I will give it a more intensive cleaning perhaps tomorrow. It was pretty thick with filth. Ah, the things we do for love.

Another nest check today. Sometimes I don’t know if I do nest checks to count eggs, determine dates of hatch and all that….or just because I want to play with my birds. I checked my babies, all 20 are doing fine. And 26 eggs with a few nests that aren’t done laying. A few nests that appear complete and still seeing nest building going on.

I watched a female (SY) in a natural gourd going back and forth between her gourd and a 6×6 compartment on the house. There are 2 eggs in that nest and both martins were off feeding. Back and forth for about 15 minutes, I was starting to wonder if she was going to disturb the eggs as the compartment has a crescent opening. Thus the eggs have a short distance IF by chance they rolled around in there. I am not crazy about that compartment being so small. I opened up most of the compartments to 6×12 but I didn’t want to make any crazy changes from last year. mistake.

I am already planning next year. Another pole WITH A WINCH! more gourds, all SREH (starling resistant entry holes) and all compartments in the house 6×12.

On a business note, I finished a small circular piece that I am planning on using on my decorative plates. It came out very nice. A purple martin chasing a dragonfly…

Blog Contents Copyrighted 2008: S.Halpin / www.PurpleMartins-R-Us.com