Web cam and gazbophil.com MITES

[Martin man RI]

I cannot watch this any more the birds are covered with mites I emailed
them and they have done nothing. In a week those little ones with jump.
They are not sleeping its impossible with all the mites. This is how you can tell you are in trouble and have mites. Its a good example and i wonder what
the other gourds look like. They are going to have a major disaster if the
dont clean the nest or treat the nest. Its sad to watch and this goes on
all the time. I would jump if i were them. I hope something is done soon.
Imagine your hand in that nest and how many bugs you would have on it.
One or two ok but the birds are covered. Poor little martins and the parents
are not in the gourd too. Another bad sign.
Ray

[DornCounty]

maybe someone with the PMCA who has some contacts can call someone.

[Peggy Riley]

Can't open his website. Is that Phil Donahue's colony? Surely not.

This is exactly the reason I don't watch webcam. If I can't control things I go nuts!!

[DAVE]

Call Your Health Dept. and report it. I did and it worked. These are Protected Birds
Dave

[Matt F.]

Ray,
They either did something to treat the mites, or I'm just not seeing them.
I just got done watching them for a while, and saw normal conditions.
I few feather lice crawling around here and there, but nothing abnormal.

[JL Murray]

He could have been gone on Vacation or something too considering the time of year it is and had no idea anyone sent a message he has always been very caring of his Martin's IMHO!

[Martin man RI]

The camera is running slow now. Hope for the best. And it easy to become protective of Martins when you manage so many. If there are mites I am sure they will address the issue.
If they have not already.
--Ray

[ToyinPA]

I saw many bugs crawling on these chicks. Several lice on one chicks head/face alone, many mites crawling thru the nesting material. These poor chicks are scratching & picking constantly.

Momma came in to feed them while I watched.

Hope they get this nest treated soon. Sad to let them suffer.

Toy in PA

[TX Rehabber]

I was disgusted when I saw this last year, e-mailed them and no response. It is so pitiful that these babies have to live in these horrible conditions. Just looked at the web cam again and the mites are crawling everywhere and these babies don't get a moments peace or rest.

[tonyg]

With his cash supply, you think he could afford to hire someone to manage it!! Just saying!!

[KathyF]

Amen, Tony.

Just checked - looks like they're getting a heck of a storm there right now. Don't understand why they don't at least check their emails.

[GeneP]

They do have a conservation technician. This used to be on the website:l

Q: I am a wildbird rehabilitator in Kentucky and have noticed some mite like insects crawling around the birds. Are they on the birds or on the camera lens? Most of our rehab birds arrive with mites and we do treat them but in the case of your Martins that would not be feasible because of the volume and location of the birds. -- Ginger R., Union,KY

A: There are a few mites in a handful of our gourds, but the problem is not overly significant. We also do not have blowflies or any other dangerous parasites. With the advanced age of most of the chicks there is no need to change any nests, a step we would only take if there was a large problem or if we noted mortality due to the mites. It is a very isolated problem, thankfully.

Scott Kruitbosch - Conservation Technician

---------
John Tautin, Executive Director of the PMCA worked with Donahue getting this colony started.

My personal feeling is that anyone with this amount of influence should be practicing all the suggested guidelines of the PMCA. Especially when the Executive Director has had a hand in things.

Possibly millions will see this colony and follow this practice. More people will probably see this cam then will ever read what the PMCA teaches. And even fewer will read a forum.

Sorry, this particular issues has bothered me for some reason. Enough ranting.

[Davlyn]

If they don't do something I believe these baby's may jump ! I looked tonight and they are crawling with mites .

[tonyg]

Just observed this site...what a sad state of affairs with what's going on inside that gourd..adult is covered with mites and they crawling all over the camera lens..shame shame shame on you Phil!!!!

[Martin man RI]

It looks like the rack is infested not just one gourd its gotten worst.
I live two hours away if i knew his address i would go there my self.
I emailed Milian Bull he works for CT Audubon and is very compassionate
about saving Martins if anyone can help Milian can. They may have older chicks and if they lower the rack birds will start to spill out and will be a real
disaster. You can see the mites better at night the chicks cannot sit still
they want out and i dont blame them. Poor little Martins. This is every martin landlords worst nightmare unfolding. And weather the next week
Hot and humid low 90's trouble is on the way. Milian is on vacation til
July 21. Bad news and i figured this too.
----Ray

[apundt-TX]

I looked up the owner of the website and got some information for a contact for you.
http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/r ... bophil.com

[DebA]

I just can't even look...

I would find and trespass with several containers of Sevin. If fledglings jump, what's the difference? Ever have hives all over and cannot find relief? I have.

If you don't "believe" in Sevin (which is the easiest thing ever) then turn off Big Brother and do some nest changes!

Deb

[John Miller]

Ray

I hope you can call the PMCA and volunteer for this, if they can coordinate.

John Miller

[Martin man RI]

Milian emailed me so i hope they are going to work on this. He said they used that diatomaceous earth last week on the colony. Well i guess that stuff
dont work. Time for the real deal before to late. Time is running out.
Nothing more that can be done. They know now. Some people are not comfortable with Sevin. Oh well I tried.
----Ray

[Peggy Riley]

Ray, you tried, thanks. DE is bad for the lungs. It looks like dust but its really little sharp particles. It'd be a real killer if not done correctly. I know it's an old remedy and I used it once on my donkeys 16 years ago.