Fledgling House Martins query (1 Viewer)

[Shirl]

Hi everyone, just wondering what the norm is when House Martins fledge.

Do they return to the nest for the parents to continue feeding them? I had thought ours had left the nest (captured video footage too) but I still hear chattering from it and the parents going back in.

Thanks, Shirl :t:

 

[birding maniac]

When do you think they fledged? I believe they have more than one brood, though I may be wrong so it may be that!

 

[halftwo]

This question recurs from time to time, about this time of year.

House martins are two, three or even more brooded. The young often stay in or return to the nest and get fed from parents with a new brood. Eggs are probably being brooded and then new young fed and the previous lot are still hanging about.

 

[Shirl]

Thanks for your replies, guys:t:

Birding maniac, I believed I had just seen them fledge a few nights ago. From books etc I had read they had more than one brood but thought there would be a break between.

Halftwo, fascinating! I had no idea this would happen.

This is the first year they have nested on my house. There have to be at least 5 nests up my street. Books say group nesting is common. I’ve been collecting video footage to post on my blog. I thought I had a finished story and had no idea this could good on longer.

How many broods is it realistic for the House Martin here in Perthshire, Scotland? Dates wise, first footage of start of nest building was on 2nd June – just over 6 weeks ago.

I never considered they would use the same nest. I’ve nest cams in Blue tit boxes – what about parasites in House Martin nests? What happens to the droppings? Are they liquid and fired out the nest like swallows?

Here's a parent pic at the start. Got some nice video footage of them ducking as other House Martins circled and dived from house to house. Not sorted/edited video footage yet

Thanks, Shirley :t:

 

[halftwo]

Lovely birds, eh, Shirl?!

Incubation = 14-15 days, young leave nest in three weeks , = 5 weeks. Start date early June = (with some overlap between fledging & laying):
1st brood - to mid July
2nd to late Aug.
3rd to end Sept.

They have been known to have young right through Sept., and even to stay on after that. No reason to think that Perth should fare any worse than anywhere else.

Good look, keep us informed. I used to have them nesting (& on neighbours house) but, alas, no longer, despite an artificial nest (used by Wren & Blue tit, with Sparrows behind the back face!)

 

[Jaysan]

Thanks for your replies, guys:t:

This is the first year they have nested on my house. There have to be at least 5 nests up my street. Books say group nesting is common. I’ve been collecting video footage to post on my blog. I thought I had a finished story and had no idea this could good on longer.

How many broods is it realistic for the House Martin here in Perthshire, Scotland? Dates wise, first footage of start of nest building was on 2nd June – just over 6 weeks ago.

I never considered they would use the same nest. I’ve nest cams in Blue tit boxes – what about parasites in House Martin nests? What happens to the droppings? Are they liquid and fired out the nest like swallows?

Here's a parent pic at the start. Got some nice video footage of them ducking as other House Martins circled and dived from house to house. Not sorted/edited video footage yet

Thanks, Shirley :t:

Lucky you. There were 4 nests on our walls. Unfortunately two fell down a few weeks back around the time it was very dry in Midlothian. Also there were fewer house martins this year compared to last year. Maybe they have moved over to Perth.