Weather not good for my colony

[pillow]

Did a nest check today. Every chick (30+) except for ones born today are dead. I am assuming this weather has kept the parents from finding enough food. Very sad to see. I am hoping that the pairs with lost nests will renest. I have approximately 20 pair. More than half are still sitting on eggs. The weather here has been cool and rainy for several days. It is supposed to improve this week.

[Louise Chambers]

I'm so sorry, Greg - I know you worked hard to get the martins to begin with. They are very likely to renest - let us know how things go, please.

[jedin]

So sad to hear. My heart goes out to you.

[birdy girl]

Have you tried feeding your martins eggs or crickets? We supplemental feed when weather limits flying insects for martins. Many of the adults will take the crickets and eggs to the hungry babies which will keep them from starving during the bad weather days. We have been feeding them for 2 days here. Hoping today will bring better weather conditions. We did nest check yesterday afternoon and no dead babies found.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Greg:

That is a tough thing to find. Hope they all re-nest now that the temps are back to normal. Your colony is growing very nice.

Tim

[pillow]

Thanks all. I did not supplemental feed due to lack of time and in my mind I mistakenly thought since it got above 50 each day they would be ok. It did not reach 50 until later in the morning a few days and there was a lot of rain off and on so it kept them from being able to keep up the demand of feeding all the young and themselves. They are all out there this morning. I am optimistic they will renest. I will give updates.

[Kent Justus]

Greg, I also lost all nestlings except those that hatched yesterday. However, the martins are already cleaning out the nests and are in high spirits with the temp hitting 80 today and finally sunny, so I'm sure they will all give it a second try. Weather has been so unpredictable this year.

[taxidermy lady]

That is tough stuff you guys! I feel for you all down there! This is like a purple martin national disaster good luck will keep you all in my prayers!

[pillow]

I checked the public site at Lake Beaverfork that Kent and I maintain yesterday. Only 5 of 32 nests were lost so they fared much better out there. Martins here at my house appear to be renesting so I think all is good for now.