We finally have some hatches as of yesterday!! So in our Hammonasset Colony by Chase Pond we currently have 130 eggs and 11 chicks in the houses and over at the Nature center we have 64 eggs and 11 chicks! At our Guilford Colony we have 80 eggs and 5 chicks so we are very pleased.
Several nests have 6 eggs, that is the most we'd ever expect to see in a nest. Although the photos below are from all different nests, you see they all have the green leaves in them, a characteristic of purple martin nests. Martins bring in the green leaves just before laying their eggs, a clue to us that egg laying is about to start. Nobody is certain of the purpose of the green leaves, it may add some softness for the eggs, or it may aid in pest control. Frequently the leaves are aromatic.
Several nests have 6 eggs, that is the most we'd ever expect to see in a nest. Although the photos below are from all different nests, you see they all have the green leaves in them, a characteristic of purple martin nests. Martins bring in the green leaves just before laying their eggs, a clue to us that egg laying is about to start. Nobody is certain of the purpose of the green leaves, it may add some softness for the eggs, or it may aid in pest control. Frequently the leaves are aromatic.
If you have been to our colonies at Hammonasset you may have noticed our new signage. The new nature center there has brought in lots of new visitors and many have been interested in the martin colony which is great, but it means the the birds have experienced more disturbance and interruptions in egg laying. I'm happy to say I have seen folks being respectful of the perimeter we have set and heard them explaining to their children why they can't go beyond the fencing. Our plan is to give a talk at the Nature Center about the purple martins, let me know if you are interested in joining us.