Hurricane Helene
Hello from Southern Canada. We've been watching the advance of Hurricane Helene and worrying about safety for the martins. Can anyone tell me whether its path is likely to coincide with theirs. I'm sure some flocks are safely in their winter home but we had a family from our location September 6 or 7th, and are wondering if they will have time to get there.
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- Posts: 3049
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025:
HOSP: Starlings: 3
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 36 PMCA excluder gourds, 4 natural gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025:
PMCA member
Good afternoon,
Hope all in its path fare well, people, critters, all.
I can say during hurricane harvy here in deep south texas we had a full blown martin roost going on. They all took off before the storm hit, checks after the storm passed...no dead martins. I once read the birds can sense the pressure dropping and will get out of the way. Heck even the seagulls were gone, it was eerie. I was at work and chose a high point overlooking the bay, could see for miles. No birds, the few gulls were heading inland.
They are all survivors.
Hope all in its path fare well, people, critters, all.
I can say during hurricane harvy here in deep south texas we had a full blown martin roost going on. They all took off before the storm hit, checks after the storm passed...no dead martins. I once read the birds can sense the pressure dropping and will get out of the way. Heck even the seagulls were gone, it was eerie. I was at work and chose a high point overlooking the bay, could see for miles. No birds, the few gulls were heading inland.
They are all survivors.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
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- Posts: 2113
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2023, 81 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 106 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and 4 modified deep trio metal house units, 1 fallout shelter, owl cages around all units. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
As CC Martin mentioned. Most birds will sense the pressure change as the hurricane approaches and fly away from the danger.
Mite control, heat venting, predator protection and additional feeding during bad weather add up to success.