An overdue nest check was done. We had 3 days of very windy and cool weather. When its windy like that I try not to disturb the birds too much. So I waited and did it today.

My 20 babies look fat and happy. Their eyes are still closed so they just eat and sleep at this point.

The real shocker came when at final count I have 46 eggs! About 4 of those nests may not be done laying-so more eggs coming. Also, there is nest building in one of the natural gourds that was occupied by a lone ASY male. I suspect that the pair that was in the gourd hanging off the shepards hook relocated. Now a SY male attempts to attract a mate at that gourd. 

 All in all a great check.

On a side note, another capture of a dreaded Starling in the nest trap. It makes me smile when I think of how many Purple Martin eggs and babies I have saved at my site by controlling these pests. My husband doesn’t agree…he says it is survival of the fittest and if natural selection wants the Martin to go in favor of the Starling, so be it.

Of course, I disagree. What mother could let the town bully beat up her children? Isn’t that natural selection? If a person is stronger and more aggressive, it should conquer the weak, right? Of course not. Because we have compassion, we protect. Because we cherish diversity, we protect those that can’t protect themselves.

Another innocent catch of my home made Nest Box Repeating Trap!!! A red bellied woodpecker must have decided to check it out as the flicker box is home to a pair of Screech owls. It had shown much interest in the Owls nest box but the owls would have nothing to do with such an intrusion. So there it was, very mad and very noisy. My mockingbirds, whose nest is about 2 yards away from the trap, were not happy and calling out in protest. Of course I went straight out and released it…a few nips with a woodpeckers bill. That was a first! At least I got a picture before we parted ways.

My martins seem happy. We have been sick in the house so I haven’t been on the patio too much. Its hard to get an accurate count. It seems as though there has been a slight musical nests that has taken place. My only hope is that it is due to the Martins simply changing their minds; not due to hawk attacks. A ASY pair that had built a nest in my gourd on a shepherds hook is no longer there. It is now occupied by a lone SY male who is very vocal in trying to attract a mate. It may prove difficult as he is only about 4 1/2 feet off the ground and about 60 feet from the main housing.

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

Happy Easter!

Today brought torrential rain interspersed with new nest building in Gourd #5 and the arrival of sub-adult purple martins. A SY male had high interest in gourd#10. Which is where my original ASY pair has 4 eggs on nest cam. They both guarded their eggs from within their Troyer horizontal gourd. I am not sure what had the SY male so intrigued with this particular gourd. Again and again he attempted to breach security.  Without success. A few SY females made an appearance and seemed rather impressed with the many ASY bachelors who attempted to woo them. It’s too early to tell if anyone succeeded in obtaining one of the prized girls. It seems as though males outnumber the females at least 3:1…which is a slight improvement. My success so far has me wondering who’s housing has gone down that so many ASY pairs have located to my site so willingly and quickly. Don’t get me wrong, my location and site are ideal. But usually the ASY return to prior nesting sites. Whatever the reason, I am thrilled and up to the challenge.

Nest check tomorrow, I’m estimating at least 11 eggs…maybe more!!!

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