High temperature threshold for baby martins' survival

[G Saner]

When the temperature gets into the 90s, we all start worrying about our martins and their babies. What temperature do you think is the maximum they can withstand and still fledge their young? Other factors would include humidity and the morning low.

For my colony location, I have a temperature in mind, but we have lower humidity than some places and also a lower low than most parts of Texas. The low holds off how many hours the high is present. My colony suffered greatly last weekend when temps were over 100 degrees but seem to do OK with 98 (lower would be better but they can still raise their young).

What do you think?

[C.C.Martins]

I don't have any way to scientifically measure it. Iv never stuck a thermometer in a gourd on a hot summer day either. Probably should one day.
But I will say in the years iv done this if a gourd or house is ventilated they can withstand alot heat wise. They seem to lay low, adults don't bring much food midday. Last 2 weeks 110-113 feel like with stifling humidity, this week looks to be the same heat. However we go through the heat and humidity every year. One more however; the gulf breeze is a life saver-literally. Not many inland are afforded the luxury, otherwise id put up sunshades.
Not much help.

[TexasMatt]

If you can put up some sun boards, they should be able to deal with up to 100 degrees but here is the big one..........thats if they are being fed by their parents. I am not sure if the drought has hit you like it has us in central Texas but if this is the case, it will then be starvation from lack of adequate size flying insects to catch namely the dragon fly due to drought.
There was not enough rain from March - May to breed many dragon flies and other bigger butter flies so when the drought conditions kick in in June, starvation is the big KILLER though 101+ temps do assist to cause jumping. Do you have reliable rivers or big water tanks/ponds nearby that are still holding alot of water in them? If so, this should assist parents to finds sizable flying insects unless it gets 102+ which I have seen appears to slow them down from feeding.

[G Saner]

Matt,

I am working on some temporary shade for the four pair that have not fledged their young yet. In addition, I have 2 pair that re-laid and still have eggs. They won't fledge until around July 20th. That is a lot of hot days to go. For next year, I will develop a more permanent and professional looking shade solution for all 24 gourds.

I am amazed that the chicks continue to be fed by the parents in such a drought. I don't see them bringing dragonflies so they must be working harder to bring more smaller insects. My colony is about 150 yards from the Guadalupe River so that helps. Just a few days ago, the newspaper reported that the river is at the lowest stage for this time of year on record.

[TexasMatt]

A river within a 200 yards in really good. No doubt its low and if the next 3 months carry on with no rain, its getting lower but if there is still alot of water, they maybe able to gather bigger food items living there to save their nests. Check out the temps this weekend! its gonna get hot, stand by

,I cannot remember the last time this ever happened in June or all summer. Soon, water rationing will start. Other animals are suffering like Deer. We have some around us with twin and single babies. Right in their baby season and many probably won't make it. Like the Martins, there is nothing to eat. Grass is all brown and dead before 06/15. Its a setting for bad fires. We put out big buckets of water I refill every 3 days to make sure they have it 24/7 but they got no food.


Many of species of birds and animals are suffering from this drought that we just don't see because its not right infront of us physically.
Not sure if this will be as bad as 2011 at this point but it can be.

[Roymg]

Not sure about this but usually my colony wind up in another couple weeks but they finished couple weeks ago before our heat spell. Just was wondering if they knew to get'em out before it got too warm. Im glad.

[dsonyay]

My chicks are dealing quite well with the heat. Two cavities ready to fledge.. all look strong and healthy.. plenty of food coming in. Temps are very hot too. Upper 90s nearly evryday for past week. I feel chicks can handle the heat quite well as long as food comes in. I have a mix of housing: sk barn, plastic gourds, ChirpyNests (white painted aluminum).

During the afternoon the sun faces the two remaining cavities and they seem unaffected.

[C.C.Martins]

Agree its the lack of food. Small stuff going in, we boarder a salt bay and have a very large freshwater pond within 150 yards. One jumper im currently feeding