Sunday, July 26, 2009

Martins and Drones

At Peace Bee Farm, we enjoy the purple martins for half of the year. These largest of the swallows arrive in February, nest in artificial gourds that we provide for them, rear young birds, and then leave without fanfare in July. During the six months that they occupy the farm, they entertain us daily with their song, which is almost speech, and their flight, which some describe as aerial acrobatics. Anyone who has observed these popular birds knows their ability to climb, dive, and soar can’t be matched by other birds. They can regularly be seen sweeping along the surface of lakes or soaring hundreds of feet in the air, catching insects in flight. When they approach their nest, they dive at great speed. It is not uncommon for us to see drone honey bees chasing the martins as the birds circle their nesting gourds or sweep in for a landing. Sometimes a single drone follows a martin; at times half a dozen drones will be in close pursuit. The drones, which normally pursue queen bees in their mating flights, have no trouble keeping up with the rapid, turning flight of the martins. Click on the photo and you can see a number of drones that followed the martin all the way back to the perch above their nesting gourds.

The purple martin is an insect eater and a very efficient gatherer of flying insects. It is obvious that our martins frequent the drone concentration areas and bring back drones visually focused on the zooming birds. I don’t know how many drones and queen bees are eaten by these birds along the way, but I do feel that the birds are doing their part to eliminate weak drones and queens from the mating areas. If this is the case, the martins are helping select for stronger honey bees. The martins will spend the next six months in the Amazon River basin. I wonder if their other home is a similar bee farm in the Southern Hemisphere.
--Richard

2 comments:

  1. Hello Richard - I am learning so much from your blog entries, thanks so very much for all the info and beautiful photos you put in each day ! All so different to my end of the world - even the birds !
    I am teaching an adult night class about Beekeeping here at a local High School, starting next week, and I was wondering if it would be ok with you if I used some of your info ? I would reference you of course, you will probably start getting more hits from NZ ! I just find your writing very informative and easy to understand. I am President of our local beeclub and always looking for interesting info to talk about or put in the monthly news letter I write.
    Cheers
    Marcia (Ngaio) orafloralhoney@slingshot.co.nz

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  2. Ngaio,
    Thanks for the kind words. I want to recommend your most interesting blog, "Bees in the Antipodes," to all. Thanks for sharing your love of the bees, the plants, your family, the beekeepers, and the environment. It is great to hear from beekeepers on the other side of the world. Best wishes,
    Richard

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