Curious Behavior

[litedave]

A couple of days ago, I saw around 5 or 6 other Martins from another nesting site hovering around my Martin house. I have one pair there who have 4 chicks that are about a week or so away from fledging.
The Martins were not landing at all on the house. They would hoover around it passing by the opening of the apartment, wings a flappin. Cutting up vocally and putting on a scene and being in an excited state. This went on for about 15 minutes.
I have been doing this landlord thing for several years now. I have to tell you if you don't already know it, every year is different from all the years before.
I see things each year that I don't understand. Maybe someone here could let me know if you have seen Martins behave like this. I would appreciate learning what others think of this.
Dave

[Tim Hammonds]

What you are experiencing is the excitemet of all the Marins trying to help the parents to convience the young to fledge. Even when all but one of my (63) nest sites have fledged, the Martins that had been gone for weeks, seem to know when to return to help this last nest of babies, too get up and away.
Enjoy the wonders
Tim Hammonds
Boyd, TX

[litedave]

Thanks Tim. I was thinking the same thing that maybe they were trying to encourage the youngsters to get out and fly. I know that the Mama and Papa bird would be very happy.