Tagged: Sparrows
Purple Martins Galore!
So I told you our Purple Martins had babies. It was a very exciting time for ThrillCam and his little adopted family.
Then, once the babies grew big enough to fly the coop, the Martin house became eerily quiet.
It was empty.
No birds for about three to four days.
I even mentioned to ThrillCam that maybe he should go ahead and take down the house, because the Squatter Sparrow was starting to take over the place and call it home.
But, then, suddenly, from out of nowhere, the Purple Martins began re-appearing!
And, not just one or two…
Today, we were counting up to ten or twelve Purple Martins flying around our backyard.
It was as if the original family left and told all their friends how great the landlords were and that they, too, should check out the apartment complex!
If you build it, they will come, apparently.
(That stinking Sparrow was such a pest! It did not like the Martins returning; he had assumed the place was his. He/she kept flying around, madly chirping…or chirping madly. Not sure which. Either way, the bird was mad and the bird was chirping.)
This experience has really captured our attention over the last couple of months. We waited for what seemed like forever for them to choose our house. Then, once they decided to stay, we were nervous they weren’t going to like it and leave. All the while, the Sparrows kept building nests on the opposite side of the Martins and about every 2-3 days, ThrillCam would lower the house and clean out the Sparrow nests…. Of course, once they had babies, we knew they were fully calling it home. It’s truly been fascinating to watch the whole process.
And, now, we have even more who are congregating on and in the house! In fact, I sat watching them for a good 30 minutes, counting all the extra birds flying around.
Eventually, it dawned on my to video our fine feathered friends!
(The video’s a little shaky, as I had not grabbed my monopod or tripod.)
Listen to how noisy they are–very excited little things!
Oh! And listen for the clicking noise…
(Just click on the link below to watch my video.)
http://video214.com/play/QBFPusOvAFBDNVUi6CvvFQ/s/dark
The Sparrow stayed on the house, if you noticed, but eventually, the Martins shooed him off.
We are really curious why the Purple Martins left for a few days and then returned. ThrillCam has read other people’s experiences and they believe the Martins are beginning to group up for the impending migration back to South America.
I guess we’ll find out in the next couple of days as to whether they intend to stay and be “late nesters” or if they are just resting and preparing for the long trip home.
When they do finally leave, we’re going to miss them; they’ve added quite an odd bit of excitement in our new country experiences!
E.
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We Have Babies!!
I’ve tried three mornings, in a row, to get pictures of our Purple Martins.
All three mornings, I have failed.
Well, not completely failed, but failed to get the shots I wanted.
You see, our Martins have had babies!! And, I have yet to get any pictures.
Bird photography is not as easy as you’d think.
Unless they’re Ostriches, they’re pretty small targets. And, fast. I’m thinking that’s another story for another post.
Anyway, ThrillCam took pity on this fool and graciously offered to take down the house so I could hopefully get a picture.
This is a big deal, because ThrillCam is quite protective of his little bird family.
He opened up the side where the Squatter Sparrows CONTINUE to invade and began cleaning it out, so our growing Martin family could spread out, if needed.
ThrillCam informed me the thicker straw is Martin nest material, whereas, the thin grasses are Sparrow nests. Turkeys.
Well, not turkeys, because turkeys do not squat in Purple Martin Houses. Sparrows are not a member of the turkey family. Turkeys are big. Sparrows are not. Turkeys taste good. Sparrows do not.
Just wanted to clarify.
I are smart.
In this little hole, there are, we think, three babies! I still was unable to get a picture of the babies. They stayed VERY still, not making a peep.
ThillCam did not want to disturb the babies by opening the side where they were nesting–he’s a good Purple Martin Daddy. Protective.
I wish you could have seen and heard the adult Martins while we snooped around their babies. Suddenly, there were 5 adults flying around us, chirping up a storm, obviously perturbed we were messing with their offspring. They are protective, too.
Finally, once we moved away, the mamas and daddy (daddies?) returned to check that all was okay on the home front.
Four of the five settled back onto the house.
Now, that they have established a family, hopefully, the Martins will return yearly.
It’s really been a fun experience to watch and be a part of, I must say.
Have a great day, y’all!
E.
P.S. Scroll back up to the very top picture; I just noticed–I think there’s a baby sticking his head out of that bottom hole!
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Swallow versus Sparrow: The Throwdown
In this corner, we have the small and sprite, but ever so persistent, the lowly and common Houssssse Sparrrrrrow!!
ANNDDDDD, over in this corner, we have the current, reigning, and defending Champions…
…Fighting, out of South America, the Purrrppplllleee Marrrtttiinnnsssss!
Here’s the deal. If a mooch, like a House Sparrow or a Starling moves into your Martin house before a Purple Martin does, often, the Martin will seek other housing.
So, needless to say, we have been keeping guard over the Martin house, lo, these last couple of months, striving to prevent a squatter from moving in and taking over.
It hasn’t been easy, let me tell you.
ThrillCam has to take down and clean out the nests of a Sparrows, which have yet to deter them in the least.
She/He/It returns, over and over.
Every time the Martins fly off in search of bugs or nesting materials, Sparrows would fly in and begin building a nest.
Home Wrecker.
Look at that Sparrow’s boldness! She’s walking right in, like she owns the place, while the owner is in the backyard!
Stinkin’ Squatter Sparrow.
Oh, but don’t you worry about those Purple Martins! They know the gig. They see what that silly Sparrow is up to.
Busted!!
PURPLE MARTIN DON’T CARE!!!
OH SNAP!
That’ll teach you, Sparrow!
Go Purple Martins! Go!
E.
Update:
We’ve noticed a new, third Martin that looks like another female. It might be a young, immature male, but we are thinking it’s actually a female.
Okay. We don’t know what it is.
BUT, it’s exciting to see 3 Martins now! We hope more will come to roost.
We are still having trouble keeping the Sparrows out of the Martin house. In fact, I walked outside, yesterday, to see a female Martin and a Sparrow participating in what I would call a bird’s version of WWE! It was Wrestlemania at its best! I really do believe the Martin was injured, slightly, but she was NOT going to let that Sparrow stay in her house!
Of course, ThrillCam and I are doing what we can to help the Martins. But, goodness gracious! Those Sparrows are persistent little buggers!!
I’ll keep you posted as the sage unfolds.
Out to Lunch... 