Breeding Cycle of Purple Martins--72 days

[Terry Suchma]

Dear Newbies,

Many are not aware of how important it is to keep good records of your colony from egg to egg hatching.

If you know when the eggs are laid, then you know when the eggs will hatch, and then, in the end, you will know two other things.

If you know when they will hatch, you will know When they will fledge and WHEN NOT to bring the birdhouse or gourdrack down.

Typically speaking, you would not bring the equipment down when the OLDEST martin young in any compartment or gourd are 20-21 days of age.

Here is an accurrate schedule for a pair in the Midwest. If you are anywhere else on the NA continent, follow along and you can adapt it to your birds.

Typical Breeding Cycle / Schedule of Purple Martins

[bubbasmom]

In your table (which is a terrific reference, by the way!), it states that by about Day 72 and after the martins no longer visit the colony. My birds no longer frequent their nest, and sparrows are trying to take it over. Do I need to leave it up in case my birds feel the need to visit? Or should I take it down for cleaning/maintenance?

Thanks!!
kim