Alberta colony site in mid April
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Bob Buskas
- Posts: 600
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2003 8:08 pm
- Location: Wetaskiwin Alberta, Canada
I took this picture of my yard today, got another 6 inches of snow yesterday, will spring ever arrive? I love this Global warming.....Our first snow came last October 15th, it is now April 14th, you do the math.
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Last edited by Bob Buskas on Mon Apr 15, 2013 5:38 am, edited 11 times in total.
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Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
I feel your pain Bob, conditions much the same in southern Manitoba. Expecting more snow tonight and tomorrow. Will this winter ever end?
longing for the sweet sounds of spring.
longing for the sweet sounds of spring.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
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Trishy
- Posts: 451
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:25 am
- Location: Wisconsin/Shell Lake
- 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
We got about 3" of snow the last couple of days, and it is still snowing. None of my martins have returned yet, thank goodness. I sure feel bad for those that have somehow made their way up this direction. There is more snow in the forecast this week, and no 50's until the end of the week, if it doesn't change again by then. What a terrible Spring this has been.
Trish
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DakotaLady
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
- Location: Bismarck, ND
We received 2 feet of snow today and it is supposed to snow all night and into tomorrow morning. It is unbelievable...snow...wind. Where is spring? Thankfully I do not have any birds or I would be sick with worry about their livelihood.
~Tangula~
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
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Bob Buskas
- Posts: 600
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2003 8:08 pm
- Location: Wetaskiwin Alberta, Canada
Thanks for all the replies, and yes I realize a large area in the Northwest is still getting winter. I dont know when we will get to begin spring seeding. Hopefully May will bring some warmer days and our Martins will take their time heading north .
Bob Buskas, Alberta, Canada (The Northern Sky's Colony) Supplimental feeding is the key during bad weather, but you must train them to feed ahead of time.
Minnesota is in the same situation, unfortunately many martins are here already with nothing to eat. A few landlords have been able to keep a few alive by feeding crickets and eggs, but we are stuck in a cold pattern for at least another week. I'm sure we will lose 1000's of martins this April here.
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Bob Buskas
- Posts: 600
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2003 8:08 pm
- Location: Wetaskiwin Alberta, Canada
Hi Tony, sad to hear that, If you can get people to put crickets and/or meal worms into their compartments will help a lot. Also try raised platform feeding, although I found they dont like to use the platform feeders this early in the season here. But if they get hungry enough they might. Good luck and keep s posted!
Bob Buskas, Alberta, Canada (The Northern Sky's Colony) Supplimental feeding is the key during bad weather, but you must train them to feed ahead of time.
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DakotaLady
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
- Location: Bismarck, ND
Oh Tony, my stomach sank hearing you mention such a large number of birds perishing due to this nasty weather. I sure hope things turn around quickly so that many of them make it.
I actually had an individual share with me how he raises mealworms and have been very successful in raising them all winter long. It is SO easy and a really cheap alternative to purchasing so many crickets and mealworms. Too bad more people don't try it. By spring you could have tens of thousands of mealworms with only buying 500 or so to start.
I sure hope that most will try to feed them. Good luck. I would love to hear how the martins fared in your area.
I actually had an individual share with me how he raises mealworms and have been very successful in raising them all winter long. It is SO easy and a really cheap alternative to purchasing so many crickets and mealworms. Too bad more people don't try it. By spring you could have tens of thousands of mealworms with only buying 500 or so to start.
I sure hope that most will try to feed them. Good luck. I would love to hear how the martins fared in your area.
~Tangula~
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
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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.
I am like Matt....only I thought Holy Cow! when I saw your snow. I love living in a season variable type of place and even enjoy winter. Until....it never goes away. I just looked ahead and we are forcasted for rain/snow/wind...which will mean ice. Which is rough on the housing.
Did Canada experience the drought that we have had the past two years? Just wondering. Hang in there.
Deb
Did Canada experience the drought that we have had the past two years? Just wondering. Hang in there.
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
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
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Bob Buskas
- Posts: 600
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2003 8:08 pm
- Location: Wetaskiwin Alberta, Canada
Deb, Actually no we had no drought, flooding is predicted in Saskatchewan and Manitoba with the melt. Alberta not so bad.
Bob Buskas, Alberta, Canada (The Northern Sky's Colony) Supplimental feeding is the key during bad weather, but you must train them to feed ahead of time.