Hello all,
I am a newbie this year, and I have been very fortunate in attracting several pairs of martins. I have two nests, as of yesterday, that each have two eggs in my Trendsetter 12. The temperature here in Northern Missouri the next few mornings will be around 37 degrees. I didn't know if something needs to be done for these nests because of these temps or not? And what about the nest that don't have eggs...do I need to do something for them?
Thank you in advance
Weather
Hi Amy,
My experience with cold temperatures is that after there are eggs in the nest nothing should be put into the nests by humans. The cavities with only nests will be fine, because 37 is cold, but that is your night time temperature isn't it? During the day it will probably be warmer. I have lost eggs due too the cold, but as far as I know I couldn't have done anything to save them.
I do want to congratulate you, though, on your first year with martins. That is very exciting.
Sue P
My experience with cold temperatures is that after there are eggs in the nest nothing should be put into the nests by humans. The cavities with only nests will be fine, because 37 is cold, but that is your night time temperature isn't it? During the day it will probably be warmer. I have lost eggs due too the cold, but as far as I know I couldn't have done anything to save them.
I do want to congratulate you, though, on your first year with martins. That is very exciting.
Sue P
I have had the same problem. I'm not sure there is any thing that can be done these birds are pretty tough and they survived real well for me. All I did was to lower the racks to 9 feet so that they did not get as much wind.
Dave
Dave
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Hi, Amy.
Some things are best left alone. I truly believe the eggs and young of Purple Martins should be filed under Purple Martin Business. Leave it to them. The female will sit on the eggs keeping them warm during the night. She will probably lay another egg in the morning and will stay on them as long as necessary. If you try to interfere you could cause problems. Such as: handwarmers or light bulbs could heat the eggs too much and destroy the embryo. Nope, best left alone. I hope this helps you to realize you are doing the right thing by doing nothing. Sometimes it is difficult.
Best of luck for a successful season. Enjoy...
Some things are best left alone. I truly believe the eggs and young of Purple Martins should be filed under Purple Martin Business. Leave it to them. The female will sit on the eggs keeping them warm during the night. She will probably lay another egg in the morning and will stay on them as long as necessary. If you try to interfere you could cause problems. Such as: handwarmers or light bulbs could heat the eggs too much and destroy the embryo. Nope, best left alone. I hope this helps you to realize you are doing the right thing by doing nothing. Sometimes it is difficult.
Best of luck for a successful season. Enjoy...
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne