[mou-net] Purple Martin Mortality

[Tom and Mary Jo]

My colony is in its 3rd season and we were truly excited about this 
year.  We started in 2007 with one successful pair and fledged 6 birds.  
This year we had 47 nest cavities and 230 eggs.  The colony was totally 
healthy until the weekend of 7/10-11-12.  It was cold and windy.  The 
nest checks the following week were  horrifying.  2 cavities had 
complete mortality and others had partial.  I don't have the complete 
count yet.  Also, there were many instances of premature fledging.  My 
first thought was hawks because there a couple that seem to pester the 
colonial regularly.  However, now that you mention the cold weather, 
perhaps that is the cause.  Our colony is located on the south shore of 
Lake Washington, Meeker County, Minnesota.  N 45.0575   W -94.37798

Tom Lyke
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