Here at my colony site in Abingdon the Purple Martin nesting season is in full speed ahead mode. My first nest check was done on the second of may and while there were over forty nests that had a few green leaves in them none had eggs. I like to count potential nests, those that have green leaves, but until an egg is laid I never know if a pair is going to use it. Once an egg is laid I consider that nest active. At seasons end I use the number of active nests for the season as a monitor of the growth of my colony. The other , more important number I keep close tabs on is the number of nests that fledge young. This is the better gauge of the health and productivity of the colony. Number of fledglings is important but number of successful pairs is just as important for colony health overall.
I am making a strong effort to do a nest check at my home colony every five days during the egg laying time. This is usually into the first week of June. after that I will go to at least every 7 days. mMy second check of the season was May 6 where 13 active and 27 eggs was recorded.
On may 10 I recorded 32 active nests and 109 eggs
today- May 15, 40 active nests and 177 eggs are present in my colony. The only unusual observation thus far was an egg in one of the ChirpyNest cavities, #H-12 , that was broken open. This was one of three present. I can’t recall seeing this before. Ive found eggs pecked and pierced but this was as if it was stepped on and broken in half. The yoke was intact. I removed the egg and will hope the birds add one to replace it.
I also found my first seven egg clutch today in ChirpyNest G-1. This is one on the new ‘Round’ rack. I don’t always get a seven egg clutch so its exciting when it happens.
The martins at the Virginia Highlands Community College site are about a week behind mine this year. The first eggs there were laid on May 9 and at yesterday nest check there are 13 active nests and 41 eggs.
that would put the first eggs to hatch to be around may 25 and at my home colony first eggs to hatch will be about May 18, That is only a few days away. Time is moving on as there are landlords in the south with birds leaving the nest already.
The next two weeks will tell the tale as to how many total pairs my colony attracts this year. I will keep you posted.
The seven egg clutch in G-1 on May 15.