Some PA Colonies lost to weather :(

ToyinPA · Wed May 18, 2016 10:44 am

I just read on the American Birding Association site (posted May 9, 2016) that landlords in Chester County PA found adult birds dead on the ground or huddled in compartments weakened from 14 days of cold wet weather. Landlords were transporting them to Delaware to a rehabber, but sadly they did not survive. Reports stated that many colonies in the area, that were teaming with life, have gone silent as well. They are saying this may be as devastating to the Purple Martin colonies there, as it was with the 1972 St. Agnes flood, that wiped out the Martin colonies for many years. How sad :(.

Many areas have no rehabber that deals with Martins. There is none in my area. Even then by the time you get to one it's a struggle to pull them back from a weakened state. This is one very good reason to train your colony to supplement feed. Not all will accept supplemental feeding, but those that will have a better chance of surviving long spells of bad weather. Keeping them going until the weather gets better can be a challange, but it's well worth it. My first few back had to deal with snow. I flipped crickets from inside my back window (bundled up because I had bronchitis) for them & used hand warmers to keep them warm. All maded it thru the snow/cold/rain & look nice & healthy. This spring has not been kind to the Martins. However the struggle isn't over. If we have another summer with little to no insects I made have to start a cricket farm!

Toy in PA

mike2656 · Wed May 18, 2016 10:58 am

And guess where in PA I live!

I am pretty certain my female from last year died during that weather. I actually saw 4 Martins on my house On Saturday. But only sporadic appearances from the adult male since then. I think the weather has been 'ok' since then? , not great... but it is into the mid 50s and insects have been flying.

This "Spring" has been awful. I finally had a successful pair last year and was psyched with early activity...but now I fear the best likely outcome is maybe my male will attract a new female....very sad. After losing my very first ASY pair to HS predation in 2013, I thought I had finally turned the tide.

ToyinPA · Wed May 18, 2016 11:06 am

Sorry for your loss Mike. It sure has been a nasty spring. I hope your male can find a new mate. I still have Martins arriving, so it's not too late.

Toy in PA

tor · Wed May 18, 2016 11:08 am

Wow. That is so sad, Toy. I didn't know the weather was that bad when it came trough.

Okie · Wed May 18, 2016 11:14 am

Ugh Sooo sad This has been a weird weird year all over. Maybe you have a new hobby, cricket farm

When I told my best friend about flipping crickets, even though she is a bird feeder & watcher, she could not conceive that Anybody would do that

Thankfully to the purple martin colonies you all are so dedicated. Great job. I really admire you.

mike2656 · Wed May 18, 2016 11:17 am

Thanks, Toy. It is only other landlords that understand our sense of loss.

I also remain hopeful, my 2015 pair did not arrive until Memorial Day last year.

Update: I saw my male this afternoon. He looked good. I lowered the house and cleaned up some compartments that were messy from the bird feces and wet weather. Hopefully, I transformed the "bachelor pad" to a female-worthy house.