probably time to supplement feed today !!
it's been cool and rainy now for a 2-3 days. I noticed the martins were not as active yesterday evening as they have been, those of you that are experiencing this same weather pattern pay close attention to your martins, you may want to consider supplemental feeding. PMCA has information on how to supplement feed. I go to the local bait shop, get crickets, place them in the freezer for about 15 minutes. It may take a few attempts, but once one catches on to it, they all do.
2007- 1 pair, 6 fledge
2008-12 pair, 45 eggs, 34 hatch, 12 fledge of only 4 pair ( year of flood and gnats )
2009-26 pair, 113 eggs, 98 hatch, 84 fledge
2010- 40+ pair approx 180 fledge
2011 45 + pair (max). Fledge about 220
2008-12 pair, 45 eggs, 34 hatch, 12 fledge of only 4 pair ( year of flood and gnats )
2009-26 pair, 113 eggs, 98 hatch, 84 fledge
2010- 40+ pair approx 180 fledge
2011 45 + pair (max). Fledge about 220
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Christopher Norris
Mr. Tolliver
Even though its been rainy the last few days, the rain hasnt been contant. This year at my new sight, I had 34 martins and this is the first year for them. They have been feeding between the rain and seem to be happy and still going about the courting and nest building activities. The temp at night is the big killer in my personnal opinion. And we havent had cold with the rain. It looks like the weather is clearing and it is 60 degrees out and not windy, so the martins should be feeding hard today
Sincerely
Chris
Even though its been rainy the last few days, the rain hasnt been contant. This year at my new sight, I had 34 martins and this is the first year for them. They have been feeding between the rain and seem to be happy and still going about the courting and nest building activities. The temp at night is the big killer in my personnal opinion. And we havent had cold with the rain. It looks like the weather is clearing and it is 60 degrees out and not windy, so the martins should be feeding hard today
Sincerely
Chris
yes norris, i went out this morning, and on my approach i had a mess of them still in the gourds, so i didnt want them using all their energy and only flipped about 100 crickets, several crickets were taken, but they didn't seem real interested so i think they are doing pretty well so far. It didn't take me long, and most returned back into the gourds after finishing. Sunny and around mid 70's tomorrow will make me feel better.
2007- 1 pair, 6 fledge
2008-12 pair, 45 eggs, 34 hatch, 12 fledge of only 4 pair ( year of flood and gnats )
2009-26 pair, 113 eggs, 98 hatch, 84 fledge
2010- 40+ pair approx 180 fledge
2011 45 + pair (max). Fledge about 220
2008-12 pair, 45 eggs, 34 hatch, 12 fledge of only 4 pair ( year of flood and gnats )
2009-26 pair, 113 eggs, 98 hatch, 84 fledge
2010- 40+ pair approx 180 fledge
2011 45 + pair (max). Fledge about 220
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Christopher Norris
Mr. Tolliver
U ought to come over sometime and show me how u do that, so I will be prepare when I have to be
Chris
U ought to come over sometime and show me how u do that, so I will be prepare when I have to be
Chris
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JJ Jones
- Posts: 120
- Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2003 11:08 am
- Location: Shelbyville, Indiana
- Martin Colony History: Average (100) pairs per season
It looks like the weather is going to finally get warmer in the next few days. I was just like you. I was looking at my martins today and they looked so drenched and hardly any movement. However, this evening I noticed that they came out of their gourds and started feeding for a short while. Actually, the temperature warmed up a little this evening before the sun set. Tomorrow looks much better for them. Had the weather kept up with all the rain/cold I would have done supplemental feeding. In fact, I spoke with my wife tonight about the situation. However, after listening to the 3 day forecast, things look great!
JJ
JJ