Hope Martin migration slows down

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Bulldog1
Posts: 700
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 8:33 am
Location: Mississippi/Hamilton

Made a trip to Memphis today and it snowed and sleeted all the way home. Don't see how they will make it with the winter storm coming.
PMCA member
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
rhinewalt
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:36 am
Location: Morton/Mississippi

I have been worried about my martins.I still only have about 14 martins and they have been here since Feb 9.It has been cold wet and windy but so far they seem to be doing good. Hoping it warms up soon and i am having a serious battle with some starlings.
Todd Rhinewalt PMCA member
DebA
Posts: 1941
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
Location: Pratt County/Kansas
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.

Bulldog,
We are so socked in with snow after yesterday with more to arrive today, I would assume that haulted ours somewhere. I sure hope so and hope they are safe hanging out somewhere down south.
Deb
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
phldave
Posts: 528
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:44 pm
Location: Iowa/Pleasant Hill
Martin Colony History: Started trying in 2012 and still trying

Ya I was wondering if it's ever been observed and documented as to what the wise old purple martin's sustain themselves on in the wild when the weather turns bad and there are no flying insects? I know their small bodies can't go without food long.
AidanRois
Posts: 182
Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:19 am
Location: Mississippi/Horn Lake
Martin Colony History: Since 2012

So worried here too. I'm right outside Memphis, and there's already a scout report just a few miles from me. That sleet the other day has me scared, especially with cooler temps for next week as well. I've got my housing up and two gourds open just in case. I'm hoping they hold off though.
Tiffeny N. - Horn Lake, MS - PMCA member
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Since 2012
DebA
Posts: 1941
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
Location: Pratt County/Kansas
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.

Phldave,
In the wild at my house they get scrambled eggs and thawed out crickets. :lol:

Deb
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
DornCounty
Posts: 2169
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
Location: Rural SE Kansas
Martin Colony History: .
.
Trio-Jedi

calling for another snow storm Monday and tuesday across the potential mirgration area.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
Jeff Robinson
Posts: 908
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 3:32 pm
Location: Rogersville, Missouri
Martin Colony History: 2008 - Current
72 Cavities - 70 Pairs in 2021
PM Mentor

Yeah Dorn and Deb - hope they just hold where they're at and wait another couple weeks.

Jeff
PMCA Member - Bedrock Colony
Connie
Posts: 441
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:05 pm
Location: WALKER, LOUISIANA
Martin Colony History: Had my site up to 22 gourds of which most (+/-3) stayed occupied.
Downsized to 17 gourds due to back surgeries. Had 14 families in 2017 but did not do nest checks due to health. Feeling better in 2018 and hoping for a good year.

This has certainly been some crazy weather! It is cold and rainy here one day then 74 degrees the next. I have/had 6 to 8 martins but I don't see them very often. I don't know if they are snuggling up in the gourd or out desperately hunting insects. I am very close to buying crickets just in case. They are predicting rain again tomorrow then cloudiness all next week. Trouble is, they haven't gotten it right the first time. Each TV station gives a totally different forecast; I don't know which one if any I should believe.
Connie
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