I was on the Forum last week about the cold snap and feeding the martins. It seems I read 2 different opinions about when feeding should be done. One said when the temps are in the 40s, another said when temps are in the 50s feeding is necessary.
Which is it, 40's or 50's? Or will they do ok for a couple of days of temps in the 40s with no chicks to feed yet?
Also, continuous rain here in the valley.
Feeding Question again
2010- 1 pair, 5 eggs, 3 fledged (First Year)
2011- 8 pair, 5 nesting pair, 22 eggs, 11 fledges
Lost one female and her 4 eggs, 5 eggs
destroyed by HS!
2012- 12 pair (10 nesting pair), 48 Fledglings!
2013 - 17 pair - 80 Fledglings!!
2011- 8 pair, 5 nesting pair, 22 eggs, 11 fledges
Lost one female and her 4 eggs, 5 eggs
destroyed by HS!
2012- 12 pair (10 nesting pair), 48 Fledglings!
2013 - 17 pair - 80 Fledglings!!
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Hi Kat. I have heard the magic number for temperatures is 50. Above 50 degrees insects can fly and PMs can feed. Below 50 degrees insects become lethargic and immobile and won't fly, so PMs cannot feed. During periods of constant rain, it doesn't matter what the temperature is. Bugs don't fly during the rain and PMs can't feed.
If you add a day of rain to two days of temps in the 40s, your birds are going to be stressed. Have you read Doug Martin's post? Here's a link to it:
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 739#193739
I am unfamiliar with your area. I rarely leave Texas. But, the weather guys are constantly talking about this storm and I hope everybody is paying attention. You guys know your area better than me -- but, this sounds like an exceptional, unusual storm. They're talking about power outtages and snow and calling it a "Nor-easter".
If you add a day of rain to two days of temps in the 40s, your birds are going to be stressed. Have you read Doug Martin's post? Here's a link to it:
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 739#193739
I am unfamiliar with your area. I rarely leave Texas. But, the weather guys are constantly talking about this storm and I hope everybody is paying attention. You guys know your area better than me -- but, this sounds like an exceptional, unusual storm. They're talking about power outtages and snow and calling it a "Nor-easter".
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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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
There are not any exact answers if that is what you want. Birds can fly to lakes or rivers where the water temps raise the surrounding temps, so sometimes martins can find food even when the temps at your house are in the 40s. However, around 50 deg, the bugs do start flying but again, it depends upon other factors like the amount of wind, whether the sun is shining, whether its cloudy, raining, snowing, etc. I wish that we could give an exact temp.
Normally where we live, a martin that is well fed and in good shape can easily go for 3 days without food. The 4th day I get worried but they often survive that, but the 5th day, you are in big trouble if you don't feed them. Now when martins first arrive, they are stressed and weak, and could use some food as soon as they arrive, and any cold weather will take its toll on a newly arrived martin. So again, its difficult to say exactly when they should be fed
Continuous rain has the exact same effect as cold weather, as bugs do not fly in continuous rain, so feeding should be done under those conditions, using the same guidelines as cold weather.
Normally where we live, a martin that is well fed and in good shape can easily go for 3 days without food. The 4th day I get worried but they often survive that, but the 5th day, you are in big trouble if you don't feed them. Now when martins first arrive, they are stressed and weak, and could use some food as soon as they arrive, and any cold weather will take its toll on a newly arrived martin. So again, its difficult to say exactly when they should be fed
Continuous rain has the exact same effect as cold weather, as bugs do not fly in continuous rain, so feeding should be done under those conditions, using the same guidelines as cold weather.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Ed Svetich-WI
- Posts: 815
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
- Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
- Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.
I agree with Emil regarding martins and other swallows finding food by skimmimg near the water surface on lakes. We just went through two days of cold rainy weather with one of those days being a complete washout. The martins did not venture out during the rain but as soon as there was a break in the weather they were out skimming the waters surface with three swallows and a few barn swallows. A good source of insects for them is sewage lagoons, which are usually warmer and hatch many small midges and flies.
On cool windy days, I have watched them fly back and forth on the leeward side of the woods and pick up insects where they are somewhat protected and the woods blocks the winds. There are quite a few dairy farms around here and the martins have been observed in the barn yards feeding on insects when the weather is less than ideal.
If the weather remains bad for too many days, all bets are off.
Ed
On cool windy days, I have watched them fly back and forth on the leeward side of the woods and pick up insects where they are somewhat protected and the woods blocks the winds. There are quite a few dairy farms around here and the martins have been observed in the barn yards feeding on insects when the weather is less than ideal.
If the weather remains bad for too many days, all bets are off.
Ed
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ToyinPA
- Posts: 2227
- Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
- Location: PA/Avis
- Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.
Kat:
I live in central PA. I have 11 martins so far (7 ASY Males, 4 ASY Females).
This morning it was in the low 40's. I flipped about 50 crickets this morning. I have 1 female nest building & 5 males chasing her. My martins did not go off to feed all day, as the temp never got above 50.
I decided with the heavy rain coming & possible snow I should see if they wanted feed tonight. It was drizzling rain. WOW were they hungry. I flipped over 130 crickets. They only missed 5. Martins will not take food from you if they are not hungry.
This is going to be a bad week for Martins in the north. Temps may not get above mid 50's with rain/snow all week & temps dropping to freezing at night.
I figure it's best to keep them well feed & warm so they can endure the cold/wet weather than wait until they are in distress & hope you can help them. By the time you notice they are in trouble it may be too late, as birds hide illness.
Toy in PA
I live in central PA. I have 11 martins so far (7 ASY Males, 4 ASY Females).
This morning it was in the low 40's. I flipped about 50 crickets this morning. I have 1 female nest building & 5 males chasing her. My martins did not go off to feed all day, as the temp never got above 50.
I decided with the heavy rain coming & possible snow I should see if they wanted feed tonight. It was drizzling rain. WOW were they hungry. I flipped over 130 crickets. They only missed 5. Martins will not take food from you if they are not hungry.
This is going to be a bad week for Martins in the north. Temps may not get above mid 50's with rain/snow all week & temps dropping to freezing at night.
I figure it's best to keep them well feed & warm so they can endure the cold/wet weather than wait until they are in distress & hope you can help them. By the time you notice they are in trouble it may be too late, as birds hide illness.
Toy in PA
Thanks so much guys for all the answers.
This is the second day in a row of 40's temps and almost constant showers. I just purchased 100 crickets and I'm going to lower the rack and place them just inside the doors of the gourds.
Tomorrow is supposed to be back in the high 50's and only 10% chance of rain. They should be able to find food tomorrow.
Would hate to lose a single one of my martins.
Sometimes I think I love my birds more than most people in my life! :-)
This is the second day in a row of 40's temps and almost constant showers. I just purchased 100 crickets and I'm going to lower the rack and place them just inside the doors of the gourds.
Tomorrow is supposed to be back in the high 50's and only 10% chance of rain. They should be able to find food tomorrow.
Would hate to lose a single one of my martins.
Sometimes I think I love my birds more than most people in my life! :-)
2010- 1 pair, 5 eggs, 3 fledged (First Year)
2011- 8 pair, 5 nesting pair, 22 eggs, 11 fledges
Lost one female and her 4 eggs, 5 eggs
destroyed by HS!
2012- 12 pair (10 nesting pair), 48 Fledglings!
2013 - 17 pair - 80 Fledglings!!
2011- 8 pair, 5 nesting pair, 22 eggs, 11 fledges
Lost one female and her 4 eggs, 5 eggs
destroyed by HS!
2012- 12 pair (10 nesting pair), 48 Fledglings!
2013 - 17 pair - 80 Fledglings!!
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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.
Kat,
I agree with the replies you received. Factors such as wind, rain and cold all have an effect. You should be better off down in VA than we are up here.
I can tell when conditions have not been good enough to feed very easily. You see, they fly right to me and let me know. That makes it simple.
Doug
I agree with the replies you received. Factors such as wind, rain and cold all have an effect. You should be better off down in VA than we are up here.
I can tell when conditions have not been good enough to feed very easily. You see, they fly right to me and let me know. That makes it simple.
Doug
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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ToyinPA
- Posts: 2227
- Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
- Location: PA/Avis
- Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.
I can tell too when they are hungry. Mine line up on the power lines that are only a few feet from the houses & wait for me to flip crickets. As I flip, if they are real hungry, they'll move right over top of me. Some will fly right at me as soon as I raise the spoon. I have had a few almost hit me.
I've gone thru several hundred crickets so far. With wind storms, rain & now snow they've had a hard time finding food on those days.
A healthy martin is one that is well feed & warm
.
Toy in PA
I've gone thru several hundred crickets so far. With wind storms, rain & now snow they've had a hard time finding food on those days.
A healthy martin is one that is well feed & warm
. Toy in PA
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John Miller
- Posts: 4867
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Katkola
Your plan sounds good. If tomorrow breaks sunny, I'd probably lower the housing before they leave, about 9 a.m...if sunny...and put some crickets on porches. (don't flush into rain) Hopefully th ey will re-alight and some will eat. In late afternoon, if they are away, I'd go ahead then and p ut some crickets inside compartments so they can feed when they return from a day of marginal feeding.
Regarding 40s or 50 degrees, as said, much depends on wind. More wind means less feeding.
A string of rainy days is worse than dry and cold. With the latter, they can wait things out in the house, but during rain, I've lost more. Maybe they get wet and are susceptible to hypothermia because they are tired.
but remember, martins can go into a bad spell and survive well for three days at least by staying inside, if they were in good shape going into it. they live on the edge and do this year after year..most of the time coming out okay, but not always. Wish I could send you some of my cricket stash..first year in many here that I have not had to use.
John M
Your plan sounds good. If tomorrow breaks sunny, I'd probably lower the housing before they leave, about 9 a.m...if sunny...and put some crickets on porches. (don't flush into rain) Hopefully th ey will re-alight and some will eat. In late afternoon, if they are away, I'd go ahead then and p ut some crickets inside compartments so they can feed when they return from a day of marginal feeding.
Regarding 40s or 50 degrees, as said, much depends on wind. More wind means less feeding.
A string of rainy days is worse than dry and cold. With the latter, they can wait things out in the house, but during rain, I've lost more. Maybe they get wet and are susceptible to hypothermia because they are tired.
but remember, martins can go into a bad spell and survive well for three days at least by staying inside, if they were in good shape going into it. they live on the edge and do this year after year..most of the time coming out okay, but not always. Wish I could send you some of my cricket stash..first year in many here that I have not had to use.
John M