Question: appropriate age for release of rehabbed martins?

[John Miller]

Maybe Penny (rehab specialist) can answer, or others here.

Do we know the appropriate age or timing in late season for release for best chance of survival?

Took six martins this season to our local rehab center and those martins would be about 50 days old now. I've not yet heard of any planned release. This facility has over wintered some in the past in a large flight cage, and that may be one option to maximize survival odds...I don't know... would be a lot of meal worms!

I'll try to speak with the local rehab folks this week and not going to recommend anything because it's not my expertise, but trying to gather information on the topic.

John M[/u]

[daveh]

John, I was thinking the same thing since I have a 38 day martin at the KC Lakeside rehab center. I don't believe they have flight cages for small birds and I think most help is voluntary help and take the birds back to their homes.

dave

[TX Rehabber]

John & Dave,

I would be more than happy to discuss this with both of you. I'll be off on Wednesday, so give me a call on my cell. It would be easier to talk over the phone than trying to e-mail or post back and forth. Thanks.