Martin Declining in Winnipeg

[bbillyc]

I have been a landlord now for over twenty years. I have noticed each year the PM's coming to my site diminishing until the coup de gras last year (june 2013) I had one pair of ASY who were building a nest. I came home after work and saw a 4 coopers over the house and I haven't even seen a PM since. I know the weather here in Manitoba has not been favourable to the PM's for the last four years and it has certainly contributed to the decline. the telling fact is though that the number of PM scout reports from our area has fallen off from 8 in 2010 to 6 in 2011, to now 3 in 2014. I have kept my my house clear of starlings and sparrows and have actively fed PM's when they arrived. I am afraid that they have now left the area. Only two other landlords nearby within 10 kilometers are reporting PM's.

[AllenH]

Hi,

The last two weeks I have been getting PM's in the saddest condition I've ever seen in 50 years or so. The ones that have been here before came right to my elevated feeders and gorged themselves first before checking the housing. Others not from here sat and watched mine feed but didn't eat. They also weren't used to SREH's, at dark they would try and try and finally get in. The next morning the strangers would join in on the feeding and head north again. They were still looking bad and may not have made it as far north as your location. Mine recovered and look good now.

My brother in east central MN was picking up dozens of dead PM's last week. He never trained his birds to eat crickets or mealworms.

I currently have 35 ASY pair (about 60 percent ASY of last years number and one SYM). Last year I had 59 pair ASY and 6 SY. I have a long way to go yet.

You may still see SY's as they aren't here yet.

Cooper's and Merlin's are terrible this year here.

Al

[mclifton]

We also have very few martins this spring. Our colony located just south of the city, well maintained also, for 20ish years, with good success. This year have only about 7-8 birds back, which have not seen for 3-4 days now. Has been very cold, raining and now snow this morning. The very few that did return were also very thin and in poor condition also. Frightening and sobering.
We had some hawk "pressure" last summer, but fledged a good number.

[AllenH]

I am still getting ASY's that aren't from my colony everyday. They all are just barely hanging on. Some eventually eat from my feeders after watching my local ones eat. I have gone through 30,000 mealworms in 10 days plus 10,000 crickets. They definitely prefer the mealworms. I have another 20,000 mealworms arriving today.

So far no dead PM's. There are no flying insects around the colony, but maybe some on the river.

My locals that have been here for about 2 weeks are busy nest building and looking good now. Only one SYM still here and very un-welcomed by the ASY's.

Hopefully the visitor PM's are still heading your direction. I am only about 90 miles south of the border.

Good luck and maybe more ASY's trickling your way,

Al

[Connie]

This is just to sad So sorry to hear things are so bad that far north.
Sending prayers and good wishes to all of you.

[april57]

I am so grateful for all the feeding done south. Our birds this year are all very healthy. I havent been supplemental feeding as there are lots of bugs out.
Wow so sad about all those martins dying!!

[mclifton]

From the bottom of my heart, thanks to all who help the Martins on their way up north with feeding and places to roost.