Good News!!!

[Darryl Sparlin]

I feel so much better right now!!! After finding 7 dead this morning, And about
a dozen or more birds looking like they wouldn't make it through the day, i counted as many as 15 come in to roost. they are vocalizing, and chattering
amongst themselves. I was really excited when I saw a couple of them fly over on one of the houses and start eating some crickets that i put out there the past 2 days. I tried flipping some again, and I just about had a bird go after one. I could tell he saw the cricket, but before he could spring into action it came falling down to the ground before he could snatch it up. I think if it hadn't got dark so quick, and with a smaller spoon I will get them to eat eventually. They are letting me get a little closer before they take off now.
I believe they have been eating something today, even though it only reached
42 for the high. Rain and 52 forecast for tomorrow. i hope they can feed again
tomorrow.

[CraigMo.]

Good news Darryl

[KathyF]

That is much better news, Darryl - hang in there. Please keep trying - it's a tough time, but now is the best opportunity for teaching them to take the supplemental feeding. Don't ever give up!

Kathy

[Darryl Sparlin]

I'm going to give it all I've got. They sure seemed to be in good spirits, although their wings were drooped. But the temp was only around 40deg
so that explains that. We are going to make it through this nasty weather
afterall I do believe. Thanks so much for the words of encouragment,as that
really means a lot.
God Bless

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

I have found it hard to save every one, some will just not eat. Glad that you still have some, and that they seem healthy

[DakotaLady]

Great job getting your birds to eat. I'm getting really excited to get mine back but I don't want them coming too early as I could not take having any of them perish.

[DebA]

That's wonderful! So glad to hear this news from you!!
Deb

[ToyinPA]

I like to use the long ice cream spoons from DQ. Try to aim close to the one that seems interested & get it high in the air. I also make sure he/she is watching you so he/she sees it go into the air. Whistle a little tune so they associate flipping food to it.

It took me 3 years of trying to get my colony to accept crickets flying past them. At first I flet like I was wasting crickets, but other birds, like Robins will eat them too. I had a Momma Robin, with a nest of 3 chicks, come within 4 feet of me to grab crickets. We had drought & the food was scarce. She soon learned to watch for any crickets that hit the ground & then she run agrab them up. I saw her with as many as 4 crickets in her beak at once.

All it takes is one Martin to go for it & then more will follow. I try to see where they fall & gather them up & use them again, unless there's a Robin in the yard. After a few flips let them lay tho, as they get a bit mushy.

Last year my colony lined up & waited for me to thaw crickets, get my chair set up & flip. A few days they landed close to the windows & looked in to see if I was there. Sort of like hey where's the food lady, lol.

Keep trying. If you get in a situation where food is scarce for 3 or more days you'll be glad you got them to take food.

Toy in PA

[Davlyn]

That's great news Darryl , I was very sad when I read your post and though about your martins hungry and cold , happy to know that some have managed to pull through !!!

[Jeff Robinson]

GREAT news and efforts on your part Darryl! You should be singing by the end of the day today!

Jeff

[MamaBruff]

You fellow "Missouri Mules" (and of course all the other landlords as well) are a wonderful shining example to newbie me, especially with recent weather events. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work!
Mary

[kcscriv]

more snow in forcast here for next week,hopefully the warmer weekend wont lure more up this way,i have only found 1 dead in house,hopefully others went to warmer weather. Good luck all.

[KathyF]

Mary - that's funny...

[Darryl Sparlin]

I don't know if my martins can stand more snow. I tried flipping crickets
again today. I never did get any to go after them, but they could see them
in the air. They would move their head real quick, as if what was that!!! I
counted 21 that went to roost, and just before dark I looked over at the
S&S trap and I could see there was a bird in it. So as always I went to check it, and there was a dark male in the cage. I opened the door at let him out, and he went directly to the houses. It sounded like they were more aggressive tonight. They sounded like they were very happy, and they
looked like they had there bellies full. I'm pretty sure they were able to feed, as the temps got into the low 50's. Things are looking much better but heavy rain is in the forecast for the next couple of days. I just hope the
snow goes around my place next time.

[tonyg]

Great news Darryl!! Mine were happy and flying with full bellys also!!!

[JL Murray]

I had 3 males and 2 females show up at dusk last night!

[starling shooter]

Darryl,

If you take a half inch PVC pipe 3'a feet long up to 5', put a cricket(s) in it, a wad of toiltet tissue paper behind it, you can blow them 25' in the air. Slowly crawl as close as possible and shoot them way in front of them.

I agree that flipping is easier but I had un untrained colony several years ago at the inlaws that was wild, they got the crickets on the first blow.

You might try that.

IT JUST TAKES ONE TO CATCH ON. Keep trying!

[DebA]

Starling Shooter...that goes under "the things we will do!". I love it. Here two years ago I didn't want to touch the crickets. Now I could see myself accidentally inhale one!

JL, Yay!!! See. More. When I was celebrating mine yesterday I thought of you not having any right now. I feel better now. God is good.

Deb

[kcscriv]

to funny i was thinking the same thing,lol

[JL Murray]

Someone else is has a couple Martins headed their way because one of the males and one of the females left here about 6:30am headed northwest, two males and one female are still here.

Thanks for thinking about me!