Sunday was a warm, beautiful day to check on all the purple martins (all 96) The colony behind the nature center at Hammonasset currently has a combination of 125 eggs and chicks (approximately 22 chicks and 103 eggs) This colony is actually experienced 2 stressors in the last 2 years, last year the housing units needed to be moved so the new Nature Center construction could begin. Martins DO NOT like their houses moved, even a few feet. Many did not nest last year because of this. This year construction recently began in close proximity to the martin's housing. The workers are aware of the birds, but we anticipate some disruption to them despite everyone's best efforts.
The second colony at Chase Pond at Hammo currently has 166 egg/chicks.11 chicks and 155 eggs. Each colony has the same capacity for nests.
Lots of perils lie ahead for the birds, a run of cool, rainy weather can cause devastating losses. Martins need to catch flying insects to feed their young. A prolonged period of rain means no flying insects. Predators also impact the total hatch. There are predator guards to protect from snakes and ground threats but yesterday we watched the Nature Center's resident hawk circle and land very close to the martins and there are many other threats...so let's all hope for the best!
The second colony at Chase Pond at Hammo currently has 166 egg/chicks.11 chicks and 155 eggs. Each colony has the same capacity for nests.
Lots of perils lie ahead for the birds, a run of cool, rainy weather can cause devastating losses. Martins need to catch flying insects to feed their young. A prolonged period of rain means no flying insects. Predators also impact the total hatch. There are predator guards to protect from snakes and ground threats but yesterday we watched the Nature Center's resident hawk circle and land very close to the martins and there are many other threats...so let's all hope for the best!