Purple Martin eggs, nest check update

15 years ago

What a difference six days can make!

I did nest checks on June 11 and had eight eggs in three gourds. I must have checked the nests before the females layed that day; (Even though I check in mid- to late-afternoon). Three of the gourds that were empty on the 11th have SIX eggs in them today. They lay one egg a day (usually before noon) until the clutch is completed.

The past week has been very rainy, windy, and cold with temps going from below normal to way-too-hot and humid. Since my birds couldn't feed in the wind and rain, they kept busy laying eggs.

My gourd rack has 16 arms; I have 15 gourds hung. There are 14 nests and 58 eggs.

UPPER LEVEL

Gourd 1 - SIX eggs

Gourd 2 - SIX eggs

Gourd 3 - FOUR eggs

Gourd 4 - SIX eggs

Gourd 5 - TWO eggs

Gourd 6 - SIX eggs

Gourd 7 - Bachelor pad (This could be a case of one male claiming and guarding two gourds.)

Gourd 8 - THREE eggs

LOWER LEVEL

Gourd 9 - FOUR eggs

Space 10 - This arm is empty, no gourd hung

Gourd 11 - THREE eggs

Gourd 12 - SIX eggs

Gourd 14 - Nest cup and green leaves, no eggs yet.

Gourd 15 - FIVE eggs

Gourd 16 - TWO eggs

Gourd 17 - FIVE eggs

That makes a grand total of 58 eggs; with more to be layed. I told the martins I expect 20 more eggs.

I have been taking photos, I just haven't been able to get them downloaded yet.

I have a small gourd hung in the neighbor's back yard. It has six newly hatched Tree Swallows in it. The nest box in my front yard garden had six or seven newly hatched Tree Swallows. They're going to have to grow a day or two before I can count all the little heads.

The chickadee nesting in a box on the south lawn lost her nest and eggs to a bumblebee attack. I didn't notice it in time to evict the bumblebee. She isn't renesting.

The robin, nesting in a a barn swallow cup on the south side of the garage, lost all her chicks to a crow. We won't discuss the future of the crow.

A house wren has decided to build in the red cedar box hung on the privacy fence above my potting bench. He's not my first choice for a tenant, but I'll try to keep an eye on him to prevent him from pinning the martin eggs.

I still don't have all my gardens in. It's simply been too wet. Still, life is good in North Dakota.

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Comments (3)

sheilajoyce_gw
15 years ago
Our neighborhood had lots of birds when we moved in here over 30 years ago. Then about 8 or 10 years ago, crows moved in. The birds have dwindled. At least we do still have the hummingbirds. I hope since their nests are small that they are hidden from the crows. We used to have 20 or more doves sitting on our back fence every afternoon. I rarely see a dove any more. I do hate crows!!!
marie_ndcal
15 years ago
Carolyn--glad to hear from you and yes this weather is doing a number on nests, birds and people. Guess you have heard about all the flooding in Minot. It has been so interesting driving there. I have had to go in twice a week for therapy on my back after slipping early March on ice. NOT FUN!!
Anyway, I think I too have lost a nest from a Robin, but not sure it is crows or a neighbors cat. Dumb bird just would not stay on the nest and keep quiet. It is a wonder that any Robins make it. I don't have the houses out that you due, even though son in law said I could. He has been so busy with DD getting chemo treatments, his work in the city, late snows etc. Oh well, there is always next year. We just barely got the garden in.
Thanks for keeping us updated.
Marie from the other end of ND.
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socks
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Very good, Caroline. Glad to hear everything is going well. Would this be more or fewer eggs than last year?

Purple Martin eggs, nest check update

Comments (3)

sheilajoyce_gw

marie_ndcal

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