Increased activity!

[mrsippy]

This is the first year for my martin gourds, and I got one pair to nest. Their five babies are finally old enough to leave the gourd. The entire spring, the only birds in my four gourds were the two adults and the five babies. However, now there are 10 to 12 birds constantly flying, swooping etc. in and out of the gourds.
What is going on?

[Joe Pearson]

It's almost like all the aunts and uncles over to see the new one's off. I have had one pair for three years now and every year I get inundated with martins as the young fledge. I used to think it was great because they check out the house which I thought meant they would be back the next year. They weren't.

I assume they are from neighboring colonies. The birds seem to be very social and it may be a preliminary flocking instinct leading up to their migration in the fall. Enjoy it while you got it!!

[mrsippy]

I told my kids exactly that. That the neighboring birds were excited for the new parents; my kids told me I was crazy!
Thanks for the response.

[Joe Pearson]

My kids think I'm crazy too.....what do they know Haha!

[Lou King]

What?? The kids think the parents are crazy??? Naw, couldn't be. ha ha ha. That seems to be pretty universal now days at least. While mine were growing up, they thought I'd just fell off the turnip wagon, and didn't know anything. The older they get, though, they figure it out. My daughter has told me a few times "Dad, the older I get, the smarter you have always been." They just can't see it yet. They'll come around though. CUL Lou