Martins on the ground

[Pappy]

The wind has been blowing out of the east and southeast at speeds in the low 20s with gusts near 30 knots since yesterday. The house across the canal from me has a yard in the shape of a peninsula and I noticed that there are 50+ martins flying and circling the yard and surrounding water, but not very high, probably because of the wind. What is to me very unusual is that they are landing and taking off from a small dirt patch in the yard. I have seen martins during nesting time land on the ground to gather building material, but it is still to early to do that. Is this normal?See pictures

[Laverne]

They're probably after some grit...

The PM's here will often land on our driveway (which is crushed limestone) and peck at the ground. They are eating small rocks and gravel to help with grinding up bugs in their gizzards. I think...

They will also take this same grit in to their nestlings.

[bk]

you know it might be warmer there on the ground or some perceived safety o9n the dirt as opposed to the grass. in any case its interesting, thanks.

bk rowlett tx

[flyin-lowe]

PM's usually only go to the ground for a good reason. Either grit, nesting materia, fightingl etc, not to just hop around and hang out like some birds do. I would say if they are not getting nesting material it is likely the grit. I started offering oyster shells on a platform last year and saw them use it a few times. I have also seen them getting the grit from the shingles on my garage roof.

[geezer]

Bags of Crushed Oyster shells can be purchased cheaply at local farm supply stores. Some studies published by the PMCA showed PM's furnished with oyster shells fledged a higher number of babies than those given eggshells.

Oyster Shells are sanitary, and do not blow away in the wind. It's an easy way to help your martins.

[M.Stephens]

I use the crushed oyster shells and they last a long time. My platform feeder is still full of shells after I filled it last year . The cardinals and other birds have been eating them year round.

[threelilkids]

I am not expert on PM but I am a vet tech and do know that birds do like to dust themselves. It helps with pest on them, ie, fleas mites etc, and also with heat and cooling. I see a PM in one of the pics squatting, so it make me think this is what they could also be doing. Although I have never seen a PM on the ground. Mary

[Robbo]

I was told Martin's rarely go on the ground when I began this (thing of ours ). I have a garden in the backyard and also provide an elevated feeder with Oyster shells etc. I find that the Martin's spend alot of time on the ground in the garden. I would guess for grit and mud and I am thinkink Ants. I think they are eating Ants as seem to have lots every year for some reason in the garden.
Rob.

[flyin-lowe]

I have never seen anything showing martins eating insects from the ground. That would be interesting if they were eating ants.

[D. Doll MN]

I don’t know about the martins eating ants also but then again if they are hungry and the ants move it is possible. The reason I say it is possable one year the martins were landing in the grass in my lawn and picking up pieces of scrambled eggs that were dropped after they flew from the plat form feeder. Martins feeding from the ground unusual but they do strange things when they are hungry and have to. Also in August and September the martins land just to sit on the black top road to stay warm by a martin roost in central MN because they want to. Two example of anything is possible that what make watching them so interesting.

[MidTNJerry]

I'd say it's either grit gathering or dust bathing.