HELP !!!! FOUND WEAK PURPLE MARTIN IN HOUSE...

[Ken&Sheryle - TX]

Hi today when Ken went to check the houses etc he found one Martin very weak and hardly moving; I am sure it is due to the cold weather we have had since Wednesday. We feed more crickets to the birds yesterday and feed worms today - oh on another note the Sharpie Hawk was again setting on the fence waiting for the Martins...We ran him off but I am afraid he will attack...Yesterday the birds were on the houses all day so the Hawk did not attack...so much to worry about these days.

What should we do...we are going to attempt to feed the Martin some more crickets as I type my husband is going to get some crickets...the poor ASY female is so very weak; I don't know if she is going to make it or not however we are going to try our best.

Does anyone else have any other suggestions????????

Thanks,
Sheryle

[Ken&Sheryle - TX]

I am so sad..:( the one ASY female that was very weak...by the time we got some more crickets she had already died. It breaks my heart and I feel horrible. All because of this stupid weather that we are having...it just makes me realize how important; so important to suplemental feeding the PMs anyway that you can...feeding tray/slinging crickets/eggs/worms etc..anyway..cuz after 3 days they are very, very hungry and will not last much longer.

Going for Now:(
Sheryle

[Louise Chambers]

Sheryle,

So sorry she did not make it, remember that your feeding has helped save the others. Good thing that you checked for trapped or weak birds too, I still have to do that today.

All I could have advised would be to keep the bird in a warm, dark, quiet place. If they can be weighed, that info can be helpful. Once adult martins get below 40 grams their odds of survival are not good. Normal weight should be 48 to 56 grams. When birds have not eaten for days, sometimes their bodies cannot handle food and need fluids and electrolytes first. Most of us do not have a rehab center handy but it's good to check and see what resources are available.

You and Ken did your best - and I think the worst is over, tomorrow looks to be a good feeding day.

Louise

[The Olsons]

Sheryle,

I am so sorry to hear about your female not making it. You tried your very best by supplemental feeding your martins. Maybe she was an older female who was weaker than the others already. I am also holding my breath here since the weather is not as good as it was forecasted for today. We have been feeding 1500 crickets since yesterday since we also have a lot of migrating martins in our backyard for the past couple of days, but I am still worried....Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day!!!

Astrid

[Ken&Sheryle - TX]

Hi Louise,

I know that there is a rehab for wild animals/birds however they are closed on Sunday. This bird was not moving at all; and was hanging upside down. Ken said it could have been one that might have just arrived before the cold front hit TX. We did place it in a warm place etc..but by the time Ken came back it was dead. It did look very underweight from handling Martins in the past. It still makes me sad; I hate losing just one to the stupid weather. We went out and fed them some crickets and since the weather isn't as warm as predicted today Ken is going out to buy some more to feed ; so they at least have some food today.

Still feeling sad;
Sheryle

P.S. Your right, we do our best to try to have them all survive and sometimes it just is not enough...such a bummer.

[Shari G]

SO SORRY Sheryle -
Don't forget that we do the best we can but in the end mother nature has the final word.
I'm sure she's in a great place but that won't make you feel any better.
You did what you could.
I could have been in your place just as easily.
Hugs,
Shari