"Buddy Bird" Alive and well..... in Fombell!

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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.

The early arrival to Fombell has had to endure single digits and almost 4 days of below freezing temperatures with more to come yet.

You would think a Martin in these conditions would withdraw to a state of depression and wither away... Nah... these guys can be tough as nails.

His name is now "Buddy Bird" and he not only greets his landlord at their deck door, but also greets his neighboring landlord (Me) at my car in the driveway. We have taken turns flipping Buddy crickets and he is now zipping around in sub-freezing temperatures like it's 75 degrees.

It's amazing that a wild creature can become so tame... so fast. I am not sure this behavior exists anywhere else in nature. He has quickly taken on the role of a domesticated dog or cat, but lives outside and is free to roam the skies.

He is a perfect example that it is not the "cold" that is so life threatening, it is the lack of food.These birds are perfectly capable of living in temperatures down to the single digits just fine. As long as they can eat. Not only will they accept a hand tossed cricket. They quickly learn to seek you out and beg for it. Truly is amazing.

As tough as it is at times to keep an entire colony alive during cold spells it is equally fun to keep Buddy's motor running. That first arrival of the season is special and to get this up close and personal with it is a treasure. We are still not sure if this guy is passing through and was held up by the cold, or if he actually belongs here, but he sure is early for a 3 year old colony site.

In either case he has quickly become a friend of the neighborhood. You should see him soaring and chirping..... at 28 degrees. That's a heat wave for Buddy.

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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ToyinPA
Posts: 2227
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
Location: PA/Avis
Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.

Way to go Doug :). Glad he is doing well.

I flipped crickets during snow last year. I'm hoping I don't have to this year. Last year my colony arrived looking worn out, beat up, cold & very hungry. I flipped crickets for weeks due to cold temps & no food. Neighbors joked as they saw me sitting on a stool, bundled in my parka & blanket, flipping crickets to Martins.

A well feed Martin is a healthy happy Martin :).

Toy in PA
PMCA Member
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MamaBruff
Posts: 1466
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
Location: SW Missouri
Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.

Sweet! Hi Buddy! He's gotta be a "keeper!" :grin:
~Mary B~

Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
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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.

Makes me almost wish I had to feed mine.. :)
Connie
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Bob Allnock
Posts: 157
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 6:55 pm
Location: Portersville, Pa.

Way to go, Doug. He certainly knows where his "buddies" are.
Bob Allnock Portersville, Pa.
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DAVE
Posts: 288
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 10:03 am
Location: Winchester, VA

Way to go Doug! I have 4 but they won't take Flipping. So I put their food on the inside Porch. When I lower the rack they just move to another Rack and wait. And when I;m finished they move in fast and sing while flying :grin:
Dave
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Hanover Bill
Posts: 657
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 3:10 pm
Location: Pennsylvania/Hanover Township
Martin Colony History: 2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72

Hi Doug;

Glad to hear "Buddy Bird" is going to make it. Great job by you and your Brother-in-Law.

I think the "food first" theory applies to a lot of wildlife. As long as they have nourishment, the weather seems to have very little effect on them.

Bill.
2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
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birdbrat
Posts: 261
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:20 pm
Location: Ohio/SouthSalem

It is truly amazing how these guys know who supplies the food. Mine do pretty much the same thing. If I'm late out the door with "lunch" they will meet me on the patio before the door is closed. And if they are hungry when I am coming home from work they are at the car before I can get the door open. You are so right about how well they do in the cold. As long as they are fed they soar like eagles no matter how cold it is.
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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.

Doug,
I enjoyed your post immensely. You have a wonderful way of writing. Putting into words things I've noticed and thought before.
Have fun!
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
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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.

Thank You everyone.

Buddy sure has made these last few real cold days both interesting and enjoyable. Still can't help to find find it amazing.

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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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.

Buddy endured another really cold windy night. The storm passing to the east of us really kicked up the wind and brought and inch or so of snow.

After looking good yesterday Buddy was droopy looking this morning. Last night was around 10 degrees for a low with strong winds. Today he fed in a snow covered surrounding at 19 degrees at 10:00 AM.

I stayed for a long time as they can only eat about 4 large crickets at a time. They seem to need time in between before they can eat more. Their stomach are only so big. To really keep them in shape for long periods they seem to need many small meals during the day. By giving him extra time I got 10 large crickets in him.

He looked better when I left and the sun was shining. This is now day 5 of very cold weather since his arrival. Todays high will be in the mid 20s. Even when temperatures warm here there will not be much to eat. We have yet to get a crocus bloom or a bug flying around here yet. Lakes and ponds just thawed last week. No buds on trees. But hey...it could be worse. Can't beleive the weather further south and on the east coast..

Hopefully that will all change soon! Warmer temps are on the way.

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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MamaBruff
Posts: 1466
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
Location: SW Missouri
Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.

Buddy is so lucky to have a landlord who knows where he is, how he is, and is trying to keep him alive! Being an early arrival, is he "Older and Bolder?" Please keep us posted on Buddy.
~Mary B~

Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
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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.

Mary,

Buddy is double lucky. I am actually not his landlord just helping.

He has 2 caring landlords.

It is so cold today. Hoping he is still hanging in till 5:00 feeding.

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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dhjohnson
Posts: 478
Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:24 pm
Location: North Carolina/Clayton
Martin Colony History: 5th year hostess. Currently 58 confirmed breeding pair. 218 Fledged, 35 older nestlings, 2 new nests with 8 nestlings. 100% occupancy

Doug!
This is so you! Thanks for the extra effort afforded to your neighbor's returning bird...wouldn't be surprised to hear that he jumps ship and moves to your site once other martins arrive! Lead by example! Words to live by!
Let us know when your birds arrive...I have at least two here that I suspect to be migrating birds! They fed today while rejecting crickets I offered last evening! They all (14) looked good coming in to roost tonight!! They fed well today when the cold broke!
Good Luck!
Debbie
Debbie Johnson
Clayton/NC (Archer Lodge)
2012 New Site 6 pair, 21 Fledged
2013 24 pair, 102 eggs, 94 hatched, 89 Fledged. What a great year!
2014 37 pair, 211 eggs, 193 Hatched, 178 Fledged, 1 nest of 5 young left! Late start but picked up speed quickly!
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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.

Thursday update.

This is now day #6 of cold temperatures since Buddy's arrival. Last nights low was 11 degrees. This morning still very cold.

Buddy continues to hang tough. He has his good times and not so good. I think he is plum sick of the cold. He has wanted to vary his diet from crickets to egg and freeze dried mealworms off the platform.

Warmer later today with south winds. Come on spring!

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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Louise Chambers
Site Admin
Posts: 6208
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
Location: Corpus Christi, TX

This has been a prolonged, tough, winter/spring. Even south Texas could use some sunshine!

The martins that are further north and being fed by caring landlords are the lucky ones - thanks for all you are doing, Doug, and thanks to all the landlords working to keep martins alive.

We need sunshine and milder temps, do we ever!
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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.

Buddy was soaring the skies yesterday evening relieved that the temperature was 53 degrees. With a higher metabolism he ate more crickets too.

He was nowhere to be seen in the morning or afternoon today. But.....

This evening he was seen again and fed again. This time he had company.

He is out of the woods and 100%. 65 degrees and bugs today! This story has a happy ending.

See my other post!
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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