2 males fighting, 1 dead

[ToyinPA]

My lone ASY Female went missing on Saturday. I fear a hawk got her :(. They go to the river to feed, where there are hawks lurking. She had already paired up with one of the males.

Yesterday morning we got a new ASY Male. He started a fight with another male. I broke them up twice. They were really going at it. We had to leave for an appointment & were gone the rest of the day.

This morning we saw a new female. She was either here before or at a site that supplement feeds, because she knew to catch crickets. She held back at first, then came in & got a few.

Since it has been raining since last night I went out to flip crickets. We have a pair of HS nest building in one house. My husband is laid up with a health issues, so we haven't been able to trap the little creeps. So I removed the nest & burned it.

I checked the other house & found the 1 male, that was fighting yesterday, dead. So now the season has barely begun & I've already lost a male & a female.

Next week looks good for more arrivals, as southerly winds will push them north. Long range forecast is saying the Northeast will have slightly below normal temps for summer.

Toy in PA

[Dan G]

That stinks. She survived the trip to and from brazil, only to fall victim to a hawk in her back yard. If she had survived, probably both would have been alive as the males may not have fought to the death. Hopefully a few subs will take their place in a week or two.

[ToyinPA]

That stinks. She survived the trip to and from brazil, only to fall victim to a hawk in her back yard. If she had survived, probably both would have been alive as the males may not have fought to the death. Hopefully a few subs will take their place in a week or two.

Yeah it stinks. Having so few I hate to lose any. She was here 9 days & was very feisty too. She'd knock the males out of the way to grab crickets. She made sure she got her share. She put the males in their place only to be taken down by a darn hawk! At least she didn't die of starvation.

We were in Loganton at Kaufman's yesterday. We were talking about the martins, migration issues this spring, hummingbirds on their way here, etc.. The Amish are also worried about the lack of insects.

Toy in PA

[Larry A Kronemeyer]

Oh man! So very sorry about the losses.
Neither deaths were something you could prevent. Darn hawks! They've been more of a problem this year I think because of the weather. Food and foraging days have been limited for all species. It makes the martins especially vulnerable. But wow, to have two males fight until one dies. Hate to see it although we know it can happen.

I know you take excellent care of your birds. Hang tough, m'dear. More are on the way.

[Hanover Bill]

Sorry for your losses Toy. I know what you mean about having so few and then losing some of them, it really stings. I lost two ASY males last year before the season even got underway. Hopefully many more are headed your way.

Hanover Bill.

[JRow]

Awe, Toy, that sucks when they get taken before the season barely starts. I’m sending warmer weather your way hang in there!