Hand feeding cicadas to PMs
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froberts0004
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2021 11:57 am
- Location: KY
I live in central KY and the number of cicadas emerging this year is phenomenal. I maintain a PM colony at our local county park. The PMs have been feasting on cicadas. One day while walking my dogs at the park, I spotted several cicadas perched on honey suckle. I grabbed one and threw it skyward toward a passing ASY PM. I was delighted to see him swoop down and grab the cicada out of mid air. What fun. Truly amazing birds.
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Martintown33
- Posts: 1366
- Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
- Location: Laplace,La
- Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack
That is awesome!! That’s a very special dog walk. Amazing birds indeed!
Rob
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
Laplace, La
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Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
Pretty cool! We too are experiencing the 17 year cicadas in central PA. I’m not a landlord, yet, but I have a couple visitors right now. I tried throwing a cicada but they weren’t interested. The cicada even flew a short distance.
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
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scottfreidhof
- Posts: 348
- Joined: Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:13 am
- Location: Kentucky/Morehead
I live about an hour or so east of you in Rowan County and observing the martins feasting on these periodical cicadas has been wonderful. I wish we could have some insect explosion every year for the martins, similar to the mayflies along Lake Erie.