Ken & Sheryle,
First of all my heart goes out to you there, and the others experiencing poor conditions. It is indeed very sad.
I agree with Linda on the supplemental feeding. Cold isn't the only thing that creates a void of food. For whatever reason it is important in keeping our birds alive. Once they are taught it is greatly appreciated by them.
Hang in there, and I could suggest letting the parents do the feeding after they are trained.
I am posting about my supplemental feeding this morning.
Doug
We are DESPERATE IN TX!!!!!!!!!!!
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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apundt-TX
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:34 pm
- Location: Pflugerville, Texas
- Martin Colony History: :
2022-1 pair
1 pair 2021
2020- Didn't get setup fast enough in Pflugerville
2019- Apartment
2018 Divorce lost Colony in Dripping Springs
19 pair 2017
17 pair 2015
12 pair 2014
8 pair 2013
5 pair 2012
2 pair 2011
Ken & Sheryle,
You better not give up or throw in the towel. I am still waiting for the martins you are suppose to send my way a few months ago. Please continue to do all you can to help us wannabes out.
A.P.
You better not give up or throw in the towel. I am still waiting for the martins you are suppose to send my way a few months ago. Please continue to do all you can to help us wannabes out.
A.P.
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Veronica G
- Posts: 338
- Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:36 am
- Location: Texas/Edinburg
Sheryle:
I know EXACTLY how you feel! I am so tired and heartbroken after burying so many dead nestlings. Some have been very young, others fledgling sized. All have starved to death. And now something (probably a stray cat) is digging up all the birds I have buried
I have been offering crickets for weeks already, but I just can't make up for the lack of flying insects. And not all the birds accept the crickets - I put them just inside the opening of each compartment. It's such a relief to witness the parents feeding their young the crickets. Once I verify they are using the crickets, I usually give them a little more. Others I have witnessed just throwing them out, but I still leave some just in case. The mockingbirds have caught on though. They pick up the crickets the martins dump.
Good luck. You're not alone. I know you are doing your best as am I. Next year will be better. And any martins that survive will surely be the strongest and go on to produce even stronger martins!
Veronica
I know EXACTLY how you feel! I am so tired and heartbroken after burying so many dead nestlings. Some have been very young, others fledgling sized. All have starved to death. And now something (probably a stray cat) is digging up all the birds I have buried
I have been offering crickets for weeks already, but I just can't make up for the lack of flying insects. And not all the birds accept the crickets - I put them just inside the opening of each compartment. It's such a relief to witness the parents feeding their young the crickets. Once I verify they are using the crickets, I usually give them a little more. Others I have witnessed just throwing them out, but I still leave some just in case. The mockingbirds have caught on though. They pick up the crickets the martins dump.
Good luck. You're not alone. I know you are doing your best as am I. Next year will be better. And any martins that survive will surely be the strongest and go on to produce even stronger martins!
Veronica
I participate in Project Martin Watch!
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
It may be not that the feeder is too short, but that they have not learned to use a feeder yet - keep trying. Put a tray on top of a stepladder and load on some crickets and some live mealworms to catch their interest.
Our martins will use the feeder when it's lowered all the way for filling. A MN landlord, Dick Doll, trained his birds to use a feeder by putting a board/tray with food on the ground - I think his birds were taking tossed food, and picked up dropped food from the ground. So he started putting food on a square piece of plywood on the ground, and then raised that on a post later on. I may not have all the details right, but that's close to what he told us worked for him.
Our martins will use the feeder when it's lowered all the way for filling. A MN landlord, Dick Doll, trained his birds to use a feeder by putting a board/tray with food on the ground - I think his birds were taking tossed food, and picked up dropped food from the ground. So he started putting food on a square piece of plywood on the ground, and then raised that on a post later on. I may not have all the details right, but that's close to what he told us worked for him.
Mom continues to put crickets on it but needs a ladder to reach it. My hope is that the B&B will get here this week. She will text me when it does so we can assemble it and get it up asap.
It supposed to be 10' up and has rungs above the trays for perching. Im hoping the perches will bring them close and then someone who start grabbing crickets with others following suit.
I learned a big key to conveinant doable feeding which is critical in droughts (and as long as one has the money) is to condition them to accept food. We have never had to do this since we started Martins which has only been 4 years.
B&B and something my mom can do without me there which is also extremely critical because I do not live there and have 2 jobs.
It supposed to be 10' up and has rungs above the trays for perching. Im hoping the perches will bring them close and then someone who start grabbing crickets with others following suit.
I learned a big key to conveinant doable feeding which is critical in droughts (and as long as one has the money) is to condition them to accept food. We have never had to do this since we started Martins which has only been 4 years.
B&B and something my mom can do without me there which is also extremely critical because I do not live there and have 2 jobs.
2008~(1st yr) 4 pairs, 11 to 12 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
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KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
If your martins are taking oyster or egg shells from a tray, try adding in the crickets and scrambled eggs on that tray. Maybe they'll catch on that way...just another idea.
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
I feel your pain, we have been loosing jumpers all week. It's awful to watch and heartwrenching. Hang in there. Hopefully next year won't be so bad. This is the first year in the six years that I have been a landlord that I have lost so many babies.
Jeanne
Jeanne
"Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap, yet your heavenly Father feeds them."
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Chriscreole
- Posts: 781
- Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 9:31 am
- Location: Texas, Hutto
Hi Sheryle
It’s HOT! I have lost several babies to the heat too. But 2/3 have fledged. It's so hot that when I fill up the water trough for the dogs in the morning, it’s dried up by 4pm when I get home and the dogs have been inside all day so it is just evaporating.
I have since placed a baby wading pool under my patio awning, but just having the little pool wasn't enough, when the water got low the couldn't reach the water because it was below the rim, so I had to place a wide slanted rock in it and filled it up with water. the Martins have been landing on the rock and can walk down to the water edge within the pool to get drinks so do all the other birds in the area that have discovered the little pool. Just this little pool has saved my Martins from flying 30 min away for food and water. I also leave crickets and meal worms next to the pool and I think the Martins are eating them. I have seen my Barn Swallows feeding and drinking too. Hope this gives you an idea. If they are really thirsty and hungry they will eat and drink from the pool water. I water my lawn alot and have bookoo bugs so i'm lucky but I still keep lots of crickets around.
Good luck
Chris
It’s HOT! I have lost several babies to the heat too. But 2/3 have fledged. It's so hot that when I fill up the water trough for the dogs in the morning, it’s dried up by 4pm when I get home and the dogs have been inside all day so it is just evaporating.
I have since placed a baby wading pool under my patio awning, but just having the little pool wasn't enough, when the water got low the couldn't reach the water because it was below the rim, so I had to place a wide slanted rock in it and filled it up with water. the Martins have been landing on the rock and can walk down to the water edge within the pool to get drinks so do all the other birds in the area that have discovered the little pool. Just this little pool has saved my Martins from flying 30 min away for food and water. I also leave crickets and meal worms next to the pool and I think the Martins are eating them. I have seen my Barn Swallows feeding and drinking too. Hope this gives you an idea. If they are really thirsty and hungry they will eat and drink from the pool water. I water my lawn alot and have bookoo bugs so i'm lucky but I still keep lots of crickets around.
Good luck
Chris
PMCA Member since 2010
Super System 24, All Troyer W/Conley 2 entrances.
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abernathys
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 8:40 am
- Location: maxwell/texas
Hi Sheryle,
I felt the exact same way yesterday....So many jumpers 8 in the last few days. I have hand feed the just feathered ones they will readily take the crickets and scrambled eggs. I have had 5 that were about 4 to 5 days from being able to successfully fledge that would not eat from me, so I put them back in the nest and the parents were feeding all the babies, but the next day they would jump again when the parents were not scolding them to stay put. Today I took the one in worst shape to the rehabber. That was just as frustrating. They told me that Purple Martins fledge from the ground and the parents will still feed them when they are on the ground.
I asked if when the baby was ready to be released if I could come and get him to let him out at my colony, to make a long story short she didn't know what a colony was. So I asked her if they had someone to take care of the Purple Martins and release them, she said they did. By this time I just wanted my baby back. He was just starting to eat from me, which was the changing moment for me. I will not give up and I hope you don't either. Really they need you! 
I don't want you to give up either! You are a great landlord.
Matt: I agree with you--
I am starting to hate Texas in the summer time.
I felt the exact same way yesterday....So many jumpers 8 in the last few days. I have hand feed the just feathered ones they will readily take the crickets and scrambled eggs. I have had 5 that were about 4 to 5 days from being able to successfully fledge that would not eat from me, so I put them back in the nest and the parents were feeding all the babies, but the next day they would jump again when the parents were not scolding them to stay put. Today I took the one in worst shape to the rehabber. That was just as frustrating. They told me that Purple Martins fledge from the ground and the parents will still feed them when they are on the ground.
I asked if when the baby was ready to be released if I could come and get him to let him out at my colony, to make a long story short she didn't know what a colony was. So I asked her if they had someone to take care of the Purple Martins and release them, she said they did. By this time I just wanted my baby back. He was just starting to eat from me, which was the changing moment for me. I will not give up and I hope you don't either. Really they need you! I don't want you to give up either! You are a great landlord.Matt: I agree with you--
I am starting to hate Texas in the summer time.
PM lover
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Chriscreole
- Posts: 781
- Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 9:31 am
- Location: Texas, Hutto
I did not know this. I was going nuts picking up 5 to 8 jumpers a day and trying to make sure I put them back in the same nest. All they were trying to do is fly. Go figure. I'll be a much better landlord next year.abernathys wrote: They told me that Purple Martins fledge from the ground and the parents will still feed them when they are on the ground.
PMCA Member since 2010
Super System 24, All Troyer W/Conley 2 entrances.
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KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
Chris, the point is they DO NOT fledge from the ground. Parents will NOT feed them on the ground. You were doing the right thing and you ARE a good landlord this year.Chriscreole wrote:I did not know this. I was going nuts picking up 5 to 8 jumpers a day and trying to make sure I put them back in the same nest. All they were trying to do is fly. Go figure. I'll be a much better landlord next year.abernathys wrote: They told me that Purple Martins fledge from the ground and the parents will still feed them when they are on the ground.
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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TX Rehabber
- Posts: 96
- Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2010 2:38 pm
- Location: Texas/Rowlett
Kathy, is RIGHT! Martins DO NOT fledge from the ground. Songbirds like Mockingbirds, Jays, Robins, and scores of others fledge from the nest and are on the ground from 10 days to 2 wks. until their wing feathers are fully grown. Only then can they fly. Martins are not in this group. You are doing the best you can by putting them back, until they can fly.
Penny Halstead
Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
972-225-4000
LANDLORD BY PROXY
State & Federal Sub-permitted Rehabilitator
2009 - Received 150 Nestlings/Fledglings for Rehab Released: 102
2011 - Received 173 Nestlings/Fledglings/Adults for Rehab Released: 133
Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
972-225-4000
LANDLORD BY PROXY
State & Federal Sub-permitted Rehabilitator
2009 - Received 150 Nestlings/Fledglings for Rehab Released: 102
2011 - Received 173 Nestlings/Fledglings/Adults for Rehab Released: 133
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Chriscreole
- Posts: 781
- Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 9:31 am
- Location: Texas, Hutto
OK OK So the info the Re-haber provided abernathys was incorrect? ok well mine are all fledged and everyone has gone, BUT I do have about 6 to 8 newbies hanging around and looks like I may have 3 nesting pairs because they been cleaning things up and adding to the existing nests. Well if the newbies have hatchlings, I'll shackle them all together and chain them inside the gourds lol.
PS after my pole broke and dropped to 6 ft off the ground, my Martins still really likes the setup. It's always windy here so it turned out to be a good thing. Planning on putting in a water feature in backyard over the winter months in prep for next year. This Texas heat is really bad this year and my lil pool sure helps.
PS after my pole broke and dropped to 6 ft off the ground, my Martins still really likes the setup. It's always windy here so it turned out to be a good thing. Planning on putting in a water feature in backyard over the winter months in prep for next year. This Texas heat is really bad this year and my lil pool sure helps.
PMCA Member since 2010
Super System 24, All Troyer W/Conley 2 entrances.
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abernathys
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 8:40 am
- Location: maxwell/texas
Hi Chriscreole-- The volunteer at the wildlife center was clueless about Purple Martins which was scary. You are doing the right thing by putting them back in the nest. They will not fledge from the ground or will the parents feed them on the ground.
I had to take 5 more fledgings to them this morning. When I got home last night I found 5 dead on the ground and 5 still fluttering around lost. I have put so many back the last week, it is crazy. Most of these came from broods with 6 or 7 babies.
Keep up the good landlording what you are doing is the right thing.
Sandy
I hope this doesn't go thru twice the first one never completed the transistion and I have waited for over an hour. If you get 2 responses sorry about that.
I had to take 5 more fledgings to them this morning. When I got home last night I found 5 dead on the ground and 5 still fluttering around lost. I have put so many back the last week, it is crazy. Most of these came from broods with 6 or 7 babies.
Keep up the good landlording what you are doing is the right thing.
Sandy
I hope this doesn't go thru twice the first one never completed the transistion and I have waited for over an hour. If you get 2 responses sorry about that.
PM lover
I'm saddened by what I'm reading from Texas. Of course TX is always hot and dry so I didn't think about the drought. I see supportive dedicated experts are here to help as much as is possible. Nothing can dull the pain of watching this great loss of birds. My heart goes out to each one of the TX landlords. It sure takes a lot to see them through the season. I'm in awe!
I'm a new landlord with only one pair. They have 6 bright little eggs and I'm trying to be a good landlord. My PMs don't arrive until the end of May every year and I don't know why they are so late unless they are coming from a greater distance.
We will be in TX in July for a few days. While we are there I wanted to see some of the huge PM colonies but it's not an entertaining kind of year. So sorry for what you're going through.
Warmly, Linda
I'm a new landlord with only one pair. They have 6 bright little eggs and I'm trying to be a good landlord. My PMs don't arrive until the end of May every year and I don't know why they are so late unless they are coming from a greater distance.
We will be in TX in July for a few days. While we are there I wanted to see some of the huge PM colonies but it's not an entertaining kind of year. So sorry for what you're going through.
Warmly, Linda
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abernathys
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 8:40 am
- Location: maxwell/texas
Hi Linda---take good care of your 1 pair and 6 eggs and you will have plenty more in the years to come.
If you ever have problems just ask for help someone on here will give you the correct advice.
I still have 253 babies that are alive, so I have to look at the good. Lost another fledging last night and am feeding another who I found on the ground. I will have a couple of families thru the second week of July, but the bulk of my birds will be gone. What part of July will you be here and where in Texas?
Sandy
If you ever have problems just ask for help someone on here will give you the correct advice.
I still have 253 babies that are alive, so I have to look at the good. Lost another fledging last night and am feeding another who I found on the ground. I will have a couple of families thru the second week of July, but the bulk of my birds will be gone. What part of July will you be here and where in Texas?
Sandy
PM lover
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Linda, stop by our place if you wish, we still have quite a few pairs, we live SW of Houston about 35 miles, be happy to show you our colony
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Thanks for the offer to see your colony but fear SW Houston might be too far this time. We are arriving July 25th in San Antonio for a couple of days and hope to go to Port Aransas so my husband can deep sea fish before heading back to Missouri. It's a very short visit as we are meeting our kids down there for fun. Wish they were bird lovers like we are so I'm on my own.
I'm not a fan of Texas heat but never realized the difficulties that you are getting this year. I'm praying for your drought to end soon and bring back the grass and bugs. God willing!
Thanks for your support. This is the best community!
Warmly -- Linda
I'm not a fan of Texas heat but never realized the difficulties that you are getting this year. I'm praying for your drought to end soon and bring back the grass and bugs. God willing!
Thanks for your support. This is the best community!
Warmly -- Linda