45 degrees tonight -worried about babies!
-
PMDavid
- Posts: 534
- Joined: Wed May 16, 2018 8:50 pm
- Location: Boyce,Louisiana
- Martin Colony History: 2018 1 lone nut and lots of visitors
2019 6 pair -21fledged
2020 18 pair -60 fledged
2021......to be seen.
24 natural gourds on a satellite rack,9 other gourds scattered around
2-12 compartment trio houses
Rarely see a sparrow or starling,but when I do they don’t last long!
Will have a second satellite rack for the 2022 season and phase out the houses,the martins here strongly prefer natural gourds.
Hey everyone,hope y’all birds are all doing fine. I’m a little concerned about the cold temperatures tonight. It’s supposed to be 45 degrees tonight and I’ve got about 8 nests with new babies. Y’all think they will be ok,that they’ll stay warm enough? I would think so , I guess I’m looking for a little reassurance from the more experienced people here that have experienced this situation before. Last season it was blistering hot all spring and this being my second year with babies I haven’t went through this sort of thing yet so what say y’all?
-
Larry A Kronemeyer
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 5:27 pm
- Location: Illinois/Millstadt
PMDavid
Hopefully they will be okay, the females should be able to keep them warm at night. The big question is how about the daytime weather and temperatures. Rain and cold will make it difficult for the females to feed themselves and their young, rain being the biggest threat. The more time spent away from the nest looking for food is the danger. The female must make the decision to feed herself or sit with her young. Most will try and look for food, leaving the young protected. They could die from exposure or starve. If the female stays and doesn't feed herself, they all perish.
Here in the Midwest we call it blackberry winter. Always strikes around the second week of May. We've lost entire clutches to it. But it is usually a combination of rain and cold that does them in. Supplemental feeding can make the difference. If the parents don't have to forage far the young have a chance.
Cold for a couple of nights shouldn't bother them as long as the days are clear and warm.
Good luck
Larry
Hopefully they will be okay, the females should be able to keep them warm at night. The big question is how about the daytime weather and temperatures. Rain and cold will make it difficult for the females to feed themselves and their young, rain being the biggest threat. The more time spent away from the nest looking for food is the danger. The female must make the decision to feed herself or sit with her young. Most will try and look for food, leaving the young protected. They could die from exposure or starve. If the female stays and doesn't feed herself, they all perish.
Here in the Midwest we call it blackberry winter. Always strikes around the second week of May. We've lost entire clutches to it. But it is usually a combination of rain and cold that does them in. Supplemental feeding can make the difference. If the parents don't have to forage far the young have a chance.
Cold for a couple of nights shouldn't bother them as long as the days are clear and warm.
Good luck
Larry
Larry and Judy Kronemeyer
est. 1999
1-12 compartment Trendsetter and 8 gourds(crescents)
12 gourd rack (crescents)
Member PMCA
est. 1999
1-12 compartment Trendsetter and 8 gourds(crescents)
12 gourd rack (crescents)
Member PMCA