Owl signs again

yesterday feathers from what seemed to be a robin were found on top of the castle house and on the ground.  This morning two small dry, owl down feathers were found. the Martin's have been much less active these last two mornings.  It has and is still cool rainy and overcast which also causes reduced activity as well as egg laying is in progress which I think lessens activity.  

   How much is the owls presence affecting the colony?  Is it attacking or just using the site to hunt and eat.   

I will be keeping a close eye on the activity and records. 

Nest check today

I am still not seeing the increase in active nests I was anticipating. There are numerous nest bowls without added material except green leaves VHCC check was same. Any big nests built with added material are in the t-14 and gourds.  Did not check Kennedy   I wonder if the ChirpyNest boxes are reducing material needed or is something about the cause simple nests to be built.  Are they too bright inside?    

I have ordered and should receive tomorrow a maximum minimum thermometer which I will put in to ChirpyNest box and into a gourd to get a reading of temperature differences between the two units  

i love watching Martin's soar against a blue sky and cumulus clouds. 

Friday evening may 19, 2017

Mother's Day Martin's

The Purple Martin's go to school at Virginia Highlands Community College. Today May 14 nest checks show seven of the fourteen compartments in the wooden T-14 house with a nest and 12 of the 26 ChirpyNest compartments with a nest. So far only one active nest, that one having three eggs. 

    With the weather getting back to being warmer and drier the nests should be filling up with eggs quickly and hatching beginning early June. 

Mothers Day nest check at VHCC.  

Mothers Day

It's a busy morning fresh leaves are being picked from the green weeping beech and brought in to line the nest bowl. Territorial disputes are going on as new arrivals are claiming compartments. Nest building is continuing after a cool and wet week.  I suspect the season lags a bit but have to check my records to confirm.   

   I will conduct a nest check today and hope to do same at the college.   I am very anxious to see progression from last week.   

I have noticed several eggs at the base of several poles which may be the result of SYmales throwing them out.  I've read several posts on the topic lately and the action fits the bill, especially after the recent arrival of many SY birds.