Purple Martin MDBBA3 question

Andy Martin

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Apr 6, 2020, 6:16:54 PM4/6/20

to Maryland & DC Birding

I noted a pair of Purple Martins today that have returned to one of colony houses within Bretton Woods CC off River Rd in MoCo near Violette's Lock. What exact breeding code should be used for this type of observation when submitting to eBird?

Is it ON (occupied nest?) - that would have to be an assumption since I can't actually see a nest inside it.

UN - used nest?

N - Visiting probable nest site?

Answer to this would also help as I run into other birds (bluebirds, Tree swallows, House sparrows, Prothonotary Warblers, etc) that use human-made nest boxes in general.

Thanks.

Andy Martin

Gaithersburg

James Tyler Bell

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Apr 6, 2020, 7:31:08 PM4/6/20

to Maryland & DC Birding, Andy Martin

Jane Kostenko and I helped set up two martin houses at the Cove Point and Drum Point Lighthouses at the Calvert Marine Museum. We went back to check on them the day Hogan announced the lock down and there were martins on both of them. We lowered the boxes and there was no activity yet of nest building. I suspect this may be the case for your birds as well. So, if that's the case, unless you saw them carrying nesting material, it's a sold N for now. Keep an eye out, though for activity as the season progresses.

Tyler Bell
jtyle...@yahoo.com
California, Maryland

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Jim Green

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Apr 6, 2020, 8:20:19 PM4/6/20

to James Tyler Bell, Maryland & DC Birding, Andy Martin

I agree with Tyler. Without any concrete evidence it’s an N. Keep an eye on the boxes. Cheers...Jim

Sent from my iPhone

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Gabriel Foley

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Apr 7, 2020, 10:06:17 AM4/7/20

to Jim Green, James Tyler Bell, Maryland & DC Birding, Andy Martin

Agreed with Tyler and Jim. A bird just checking out a nest site is code N (visiting probable nest site), while a bird that you suspect is incubating or brooding is code ON (occupied nest).

Cheers,

Gabriel