crazy martins fighting
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
I have 3 martins, and was really concerned about them starving, well I quit worrying about them. I have 250 gourds out for the martins. The two males were fighting over this one special female, they fell all the way to the ground. They should be out feeding, the weather will not get out of the low 40s for the next two days, with sleet and light rain predicted. Does anyone think that they are smart?
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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John Miller
- Posts: 4867
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
The males in particular are driven by testosterone, not common sense, and will exhibit brief moments of vigor even when they are down to their last. Am I talking about martins?
We had a long cool rainy spell in Missouri and Ohio Valley in early May in 2007 and many martins around the region perished, but when the sun would briefly break out I'd see some males gathering nest material -- I think to impress females -- even though they must have been exhausted. This is when I realized you can't always judge the condition of the males by their behavior.
John
We had a long cool rainy spell in Missouri and Ohio Valley in early May in 2007 and many martins around the region perished, but when the sun would briefly break out I'd see some males gathering nest material -- I think to impress females -- even though they must have been exhausted. This is when I realized you can't always judge the condition of the males by their behavior.
John
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Emil,
Hey at least you are watching Martins, to me that's a miracle. I just plowed as much heavy snow as a man can take. With a 1975 Gravely walk-behind. Then my 1952 Ford 8N. I like the old & well built stuff.
Last year I was kind of shaken at one point. I lost a few ASY males to fighting. To think I thought all they did was 'chirp' nicely.
I do think they are smart. So is man.... and we wage wars that cost us more than the Martins at battle. Boys will be boys.
Good luck keeping them going in the cold. Looks like warmer weather is on the way in another week or so.
Thanks for all you do for this hobby.
Doug
Hey at least you are watching Martins, to me that's a miracle. I just plowed as much heavy snow as a man can take. With a 1975 Gravely walk-behind. Then my 1952 Ford 8N. I like the old & well built stuff.
Last year I was kind of shaken at one point. I lost a few ASY males to fighting. To think I thought all they did was 'chirp' nicely.
I do think they are smart. So is man.... and we wage wars that cost us more than the Martins at battle. Boys will be boys.
Good luck keeping them going in the cold. Looks like warmer weather is on the way in another week or so.
Thanks for all you do for this hobby.
Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Yes, Doug, comparing our human fights to purple martins, its about the same. I never thought of it that war. Our wars make me sick, what is wrong with the people making the decisions, there must be a better way.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Emil, I agree with your assessment of our war decisions. I think that the reason that we get into some of the scrapes that we've been in is that the decision makers sit on their butts in D.C. and don't participate in the heavy lifting and risk.
Mike Morgan
2009-4 Pair,24 Eggs,23 Fledged. 12 Cavities
2010- 18 Pair, 96 Eggs, 86 Fledged. 18 Cavities
2011- 23 Pair, 113 Eggs, 99 Hatched, 93 Fledged 24 Cavities.
2012-22 Pair, 109 Eggs, 95 Hatched, 89 Fledged
2013-19 Pair, 89 Eggs, 77 Hatched, 77 Fledged.
2009-4 Pair,24 Eggs,23 Fledged. 12 Cavities
2010- 18 Pair, 96 Eggs, 86 Fledged. 18 Cavities
2011- 23 Pair, 113 Eggs, 99 Hatched, 93 Fledged 24 Cavities.
2012-22 Pair, 109 Eggs, 95 Hatched, 89 Fledged
2013-19 Pair, 89 Eggs, 77 Hatched, 77 Fledged.