South Louisiana Colonies - 2021 Polar Vortex Recovery Comparisons

[Lane Stout]

South Louisiana Colonies - 2021 Polar Vortex Recovery Comparisons

Thirty-six of my earliest arrivals up to the polar vortex last February perished in that event. Many more ASY and SY birds however followed in the weeks thereafter almost filling my 64 cavity colony to normal levels. I'm in Gonzales and this will be my 19th year hosting martins. I do expect plenty of martins this year, the first arrivals undoubtedly younger that the ones lost last year, the arrival date a little later than average likely due to beginning their migration track north a bit later, and traveling a bit slower.

How did other South Louisiana colonies that lost birds recover last season after the event? Were your results similar to mine or very different?

Happy 2022 Martineering!

[Thomabear]

My arrival date in 2021 was 2/1. I lost about ~50% of those Martins. I think the remainder of those earlier ASY birds adjusted their arrival dates after suffering the cold weather. Either that or the lack of insects from IDA may have them hung up elsewhere. Can’t say for sure…

For a comparison from 2020 to 2021 my colony recovered due to plentiful late arrivals and actually grew by 2 pairs even after loosing a couple more birds to owl and hawk attacks.

[Martintown33]

Hi.. I’m in southeast Louisiana in Laplace. My first arrivals consisting of 20 experienced martins, arrived on feb 4 last year. They all perished in the freeze despite my efforts to supplement feed and keep them warm. I had several pairs of second wave martins arrive in early March , but my colony wasn’t near the numbers that I usually have. I’m very curious to see what kind of numbers I get this year… I do expect arrival date to be later than usual since these will be younger birds returning. My houses and gourds are up.. now it’s time to wait and see..
Good luck,
Rob

[Conrad Baker]

I agree, those youngsters are late for everything, but that could be a good thing looking at our weather forecast. Cold, cold, and freezing- not good for the Martins.

[Martintown33]

Agree Conrad! Im usually looking up , this time of year, awaiting them.. but after last February, and with the hard freeze coming next week, I’m hoping they don’t show up for at least 2 weeks…
Rob

[Thomas Maddox]

Hard freeze next week??

[Martintown33]

Have to edit above post… forecast for next week has changed for southeast Louisiana.. Now weather forecast is not a hard freeze but still very cold for martins. Lows ranging from low to middle 30’s, but not below 32 for next week… still too cold for martins.. I hope they hold off for another 2 weeks..
Rob

[Thomas Maddox]

I read somewhere that February will be colder "than usual " in our part of the country. Hopefully, that will be another wrong forecast. I have been anxiously awaiting , but I am now hoping they wait a little longer to show up like you! I've seen more BBs than normal lately. I do have 2 boxes for them, but hope they aren't eying my new PM house.

[Gauxt]

Lane
I lost 16 birds in the freeze and ended up with 10 pair that came after. I thought that was a good rebound.

Guy

[Lane Stout]

Hi Guy, that was a good rebound for sure.

I believe many of the younger ASY's and SY's that may not have had a chance securing a cavity at our places containing older birds dominating the colonies, got an oppournity last year due to their slightly later arrival after the weather event.

I am hoping those birds, now one year older are intent on getting back to last year's sucesfull sites to once again secure their housing.

[Lane Stout]

Louisiana made the 2022 arrival map today. Mark Champagne's arrival date is not significantly different from his psst years reports. This is only about 40 miles from me so eyes to the sky for sure! https://www.purplemartin.org/research/s ... Houma&S=LA