During the Spring and Summer “Baby Bird Season,” I don’t get very many opportunities to be able just to take a couple of hours to enjoy myself and get away from it all and this week has been especially difficult. The temps in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area have been 100+ and having work outside most of the day feeding birds in our flight cages that are full to capacity has taken its toll on not only me, but the rest of the staff and volunteers, not to mention the birds. Tonight, while away from the house for just a couple of hours and by the way I didn’t leave until 8:30pm, some uncaring, ungrateful, inconsiderate Landlord left 4 “close to” Fledgling Martins in a birdcage hanging from a tree in my front yard. These 4 babes are very skinny, show signs of being ill and were covered in mites and lice. No one bothered to contact me or the Center today, just left them. No name, no phone number and of course no donation.
It took over an hour to rid them of the “bugs” and give them sub-Q fluids. These types of fluids have to be injected under the skin and are used to treat dehydration. I just don’t understand how anyone could do this. I’ve been rehabbing for 13 years and have never had this happen. Obviously they have a total lack of respect for what I do, the Martins that they attract to the housing on their property and especially the babies that are totally helpless in this situation.
Rehabbers, like myself have been criticized and chastised for trying to save babies that we shouldn’t. How can anyone ignore this and just do nothing? How can someone do this to helpless creatures? I just don’t understand.
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
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.
Penny my heart goes out to you. I for one respect what you do & would help if I lived near you. I'm so sorry some inconsiderate jerk did this not only to you, but those poor chicks.
Hi Penny. I am so sorry someone did this to you. You work so hard and all the staff at the center do too. I have the utmost respect for you and anyone who puts all their heart into saving wildlife....
You deserve time off and time away from caring for these poor babies...
Martin Colony History: Colony started in 2009 with 2 pair. Currently I have 3 gourd racks with 24 gourds. One gourd rack will be for sy arrivals only. Bo Eleven gourds 20
Penny,
I, too, appreciate the hard work you and other rehabbers put into helping animals. I can't understand why a martin landlord, or anyone else, would do this. Sometimes you are the last chance these animals have to try and make it. God bless you.
That's a shame, Penny - no respect or common courtesy from that landlord. I know you and Kathy and the entire crew at Rogers Wildlife work very hard to care for the birds or other animals, and without much money. I wonder why they did that? Those of us who have used your services, or those of another rehab facility, know how much you accomplish with your efforts.
I'll second what Louise said - that is such a shame Penny.
You, and all of the wonderful rehabbers out there, are such a blessing, and do so much with so little resources, and way too often are under appreciated.
In spite of the callous way those babies were delivered to you, I'm so thankful that you are the one that has them now.
Penny - I would like to send you a small donation. Do you have a Paypal account? Otherwise, I could mail a check but I don't use checks too often anymore...
Unfortunately, with almost all new posts on this or any forum, there is the potential for negative responses. I trust that you know the majority of us on this forum truly appreciate the work you perform as a rehabber, not only for martins, but for all species. In addition to the work you perform, you also provide informative and timely posts on this forum which I am sure has helped a lot of martin landlords with existing or potential problems.
May I suggest you insert your complete address in your signature for anyone wanting to make a contribution towards your efforts.
Tim
Licensed Bander
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
Well..it's possible they have plenty of financial means and just dumped them on you; or, maybe they have little. Maybe best they could do was search you out and leave on your door step.
Hang in there. I have a lot of admiration. Attended a talk last winter by a rehab professional in St. Louis. She said their center's big goal is not to save individual birds -- yet that's what they do -- but big goal is to nurture awareness and caring about birds in general. It helped me understand better.
I certainly appreciate the valuable help you have provided the purple martin community. You have helped others deal with many martins whose lives they have made a heartfelt attempt to assist or save. Louise and I have rehabbed many--some successfully, some not. It has always felt worth the intense effort if take takes to rehab a bird. I suspect some who doubt the validity of your efforts have yet to make a single attempt.
I have watched the work of Last Chance Forever--rehabbers out of San Antonio that have partnered with your facility, in their endeavors to educate the masses, particularly the young, by live exhibitions of birds in rehab. I know of no parallel that so impacts the witnesses of these events.
I appreciate all that Rogers does for birds in Texas, and for the individual efforts you make to provide accurate and informative instruction to forum users. While many frequent posters repeat information and knowledge that has been known and posted about by others since the inception of this forum, the information that you share is very often novel to all.
Thanks again for sharing. I have made my donation today to Rogers through your paypal link.
~~TEAMED WITH A MARTIN GODDESS~~
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.
Penny,
You are my hero with the work that you do. I've thought plenty of times I could and would like to do that. I'm glad you shared the frustrations you face. If you have little budget at your center I'm sure you give from your own finances to save birds as well as your skills.
I agree with John that at least the person did something for the birds. Thanks for all you do and the knowledge you share.
We all can make up bit by bit for their lack of donation.
Penny!
You do great work and you don't know how many folks admire you and your work THANKS ALOT.
I'm not sure why these little ones got this way but I can only guess. Here in my aeria there are about 12 of these metal Martin houses. All with 6X6 Compartments in them. Most of the folks who have them think they are doing a great thing but in reality they don't know any better. I have tried telling them of the Dangers of these Homes but as usual of most they don't want to here it. (thats to much work) Now for a suggestion. Those of you whom have the Means, Smarts and alot of Martin experiance could start a drive at trying to get the suppliers like Lowes, Tractor Supply and others to see if they could get the Manufactures that they buy from to build these Houses in away that is more favorable to the Martins and put a set of instructions in on how to raise them the wright way. I know you aren't going to change how some folks that are just lazy and think the Martins can take care of themselfs but it should be tried. Thanks
Dave
Money or not, it's cowardly to "dump & run". What if you hadn't come home that night - they would have died in that cage. People are very quick these days to dump their responsibilities on others or make excuses for those that dump. The least the "dumper" can do is stick around & give you a history and try to help (under your guidance).
I used to work at our local animal shelter and the operating costs were unbelievable. And we always tried to keep a cage open at the end of the day because we knew we would come in the next day and someone would have dumped some puppies in a box or tied a dog to a tree overnight (happened all the time - dumpers wouldn't even leave water / food with the dumped dogs).
The people on this forum and me in particular have greatly benefitted from your expertise, Penny. Money cannot express the gratitude. (but sometimes it sure helps!)
I too have made a donation to Rogers today through your Paypal link. You may earn it later when the jumpers start jumping!
"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
Thank you all for your support and encouragement. A heartfelt thanks to all who have made a donation to our cause in helping not only Martins but all birds that have been orphaned, sick or injured to return to the wild and where they belong.
In my 13 yrs of rehabbing, I’ve had the honor and privilege in helping rehab 2 Bald Eagles. A 1 yr female, blind in one eye, which is now an Education Ambassador and a nestling male with a broken leg, whose nest fell during a severe thunderstorm, killing the nest mate.
The Federal Law requires that you notify your regional office within 24 hrs of receiving an Eagle. We can only stabilize and kept them for a short period of time before we are required to transfer to an approved Eagle Rehab facility, due to cage restrictions. It is required that you have a flight cage 100 feet-long, 25 feet-wide and 18 feet-high to rehab Eagles. Since the Center does not receive any local, state or federal funds the cost of a cage for us is out of the question.
That is why donations are so important to us to be able to provide the required cages, up keep on them or replacement, food, medicine and medical supplies, not to mention the cost of Vet visits.
Update:
One of the 4 was dead this morning, another had to be euthanized as it was in the process of dying, and another died this afternoon. The fourth is hanging in there and accepting food.
There are a few who will never see the reason why we do what we do.
That being said, the following story came to mind and bears repeating……
adapted from an essay by Loren C. Eiseley, The Star Thrower
A young girl was walking along the beach early one morning upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up.. The tide was receding, leaving numerous starfish stranded on the beach. The girl began picking them up and tossing them back into the water.
Engrossed in her task, she didn’t notice the crusty old fisherman sitting quietly watching her. He startled her with a gruff, “What are you doing?” to which she smiled and enthusiastically replied, “I’m saving the starfish.”
He laughed at her and launched into a scoffing ridicule. “Look ahead of you down the beach,” he said, pointing to the seemingly endless expanse of sand and surf. “There are thousands of starfish washed up on this beach. You can’t hope to save them all. You’re just wasting your time. What you’re doing doesn’t matter,” he exclaimed in a dismissive tone.
The girl stopped, momentarily pondering his words. Then she picked up a starfish and threw it far into the water. She stood straight and looked him in the eye. “It matters to that one,” she said, and continued down the beach.
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
I love that story, Penny - it does not grow old, no matter how many times it is shared.
Most of us have had a very good martin season - now the tough time of year has arrived, with high temps and dry conditions. I think whatever we can do to keep nests cooler and birds fed (offering supplemental food if possible) will help, but won't prevent all deaths due to weather. But we can save some.
Agreed - that story NEVER gets old! Keep on truckin' Penny!!!
This is why I like the banding program here....I can now track which one of *my* martins have made a difference by either being the founder of a new colony or making a difference at someone else's colony by increasing their numbers.
"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
There are just people out there that are just clueless when it comes to what to do or not to do when it comes to animals. It never ceases to amaze me.
I live in the DFW area and have taken many of birds to your rehab facility and always make a point to support Rogers who counts on donations to save the lives of many of animals. Kathy takes everything in even pigeons, which not many rehab facilities will even bother with. You all love them all! It is a 7 day a week job, long hours with no pay other than the reward of saving animal lives and giving peace of mind to people who bring these helpless darlings to know that they are in good hands and they did there part in saving a life.
I love to see all the animals you have when I go and for those who have never been, it is a real treat to see all the good things that Roger's Wildlife does and anyone who would like to contribute, I assure you that it all goes to helping support their rehab facility. I have witnessed it first hand. I remember years ago you all were vandalized and alot of your equipment was stolen. I sure hope you have received enough donations to replace it. I think I speak for all on this forum and from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU
