Martin in the Road - unfortunately it did not make it

[Bob]

Yesterday we had rain for most of the day, then over night heavy rains and temps down into the 40's. Today, temps in the mid 50's and a bit windy at times, not much hunting today. I know there are nests with young not more than a few days old, so not sure if they will make it or not. There was not a lot of activity around the colony today, when there was, it was a brief fly around by one or two, then back to their housing.

Today I found a martin in the road and it was unable to fly. This is a country road, so speed limit it 55mph. I figured if a car hit a martin on this road it would die immediately.

I picked the martin up and brought him home and put in a small kennel to be safe. When I picked him up off the road, he or she was bit feisty. He/she hung on the glove with its beak for a while. I went to pick up some crickets and meal worms, but when I got back to the house it had passed. I believe it was a SY male at first I thought it was a ASY female, but the head was all purple and there appeared to be a lot of purple blotches/spots on its chest. Either way, I lost one.

[ToyinPA]

Bob:
Sorry to hear you lost one :(.

Heavy rain can drive a martin to the ground. I had one on the ground yesterday during pouring rain. It was having trouble flying, but took off later.

Supplemental feeding should help the parents feed their chicks. I hope they make it thru this wet/cold period.

Toy in PA

[Anthony Neira]

So Sorry for your loss, Bob. But, by picking up any injured or dead Martin off the street/road, you more than likely saved another Martin from getting hit or killed, as they dive down to investigate or try to help another one on the ground. Best of luck with the rest of your year.

[MichaelH]

Yes that's so sad to hear hope it don't affect your year to much
Mick