Post by Gord on Aug 20, 2007 21:15:54 GMT -8
A brief update to fill you all in on what happened up here in efforts to get colonies here in our area once again.
Last year saw a failed nesting attempt at Nicomen Slough just east of Mission. We had hopes for a better go at it this year.
Sadly, with the high water the boxes at Nicomen Slough went under water for an extended period of time as well as all the other sets in the Harrison River. Any martins looking to nest would have found boxes underwater or very close to it.
Once the flood threat was over, the boxes were raised higher to an estimated 4' above normal river peak height. Let's hope the topic of keeping the boxes dry never comes up again.
Very good news from Stave River where boxes were put up last summer (if Im right). A pair nested and fledged 4 young. Kiyoshi, part of the PUMA Recovery Team, banded 4 very healthy young. He just happened to be out there in his canoe to see all four young and an adult male flying around the box. What great news! Big thanks to Stan Olson, Kiyoshi and local residents who made this happen.
On the 17th, there was one and maybe a second martin perched near the boxes at Nicomen Slough. This is a good sign that these birds will be back to attempt a nesting next summer provided they make it to Brazil and back.
So long as we dont get a huge flood or a cool summer, Im very optimistic we will see further activity at the boxes!
Last year saw a failed nesting attempt at Nicomen Slough just east of Mission. We had hopes for a better go at it this year.
Sadly, with the high water the boxes at Nicomen Slough went under water for an extended period of time as well as all the other sets in the Harrison River. Any martins looking to nest would have found boxes underwater or very close to it.
Once the flood threat was over, the boxes were raised higher to an estimated 4' above normal river peak height. Let's hope the topic of keeping the boxes dry never comes up again.
Very good news from Stave River where boxes were put up last summer (if Im right). A pair nested and fledged 4 young. Kiyoshi, part of the PUMA Recovery Team, banded 4 very healthy young. He just happened to be out there in his canoe to see all four young and an adult male flying around the box. What great news! Big thanks to Stan Olson, Kiyoshi and local residents who made this happen.
On the 17th, there was one and maybe a second martin perched near the boxes at Nicomen Slough. This is a good sign that these birds will be back to attempt a nesting next summer provided they make it to Brazil and back.
So long as we dont get a huge flood or a cool summer, Im very optimistic we will see further activity at the boxes!