Everyone Knows It"s Windy

Guest · Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:59 pm

I arrived home from work this afternoon to find the door on my martin house halfway open and the martin chicks gone from the house. They had been peeking out for the last few days, so I knew they were thinking of leaving. Then along comes Dennis and it's been windy as all get out today. I'm worried about the timing of their leaving, and have a thousand questions about whether they leave and begin flying right away? I searched the yard for signs of feathers ( I have an Austrailian Shepherd in the back yard), but find no evidence of disaster, thank God. This was my first year and my first pair/brood. I know all about Bluebirds, but am only a novice with Martins. There were several flying around high up while I was checking the house. I read the thread about fledging and it was really informative, but can anyone re-assure me. I hate that I missed the big moment and thought they'd hang out on the porch for a day or two. I guess with all the wind they didn't have much of a choice. Will they come back to roost at night? Man, I wish I had my Stokes Purple Martin book !

Guest · Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:15 pm

Dennis, probably everything is okay. Occasionally however, open doors mean that you have been visited by a hawk or something, but I would ascribe it to the wind. Now here in south Alabama, we found out that a modified Trio house could not stand up to 100 mph winds. I found it wedged under my camper--don't know if it is repairable or not. Funny thing about is that it went through Ivan with 120mph winds okay. Amazingly, that is the first housing that I have ever lost to a windstorm, and I am thankful that all the birds have been gone about 10 days before the storm....Jon

Guest · Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:17 pm

Sorry a Freudian slip calling you Dennis! Jon

Laverne · Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:26 pm

Purple Martins and Hurricanes and housing that doesn't hold together completely. Those babies may be hiding in the shrubbery around your or your neighbors houses. You could do a serious search in low lying areas - maybe you'll find one, or two, or all... Good Luck! It is worth a try.

I have an Australian Shepherd, too - very sweet dog, protective of what he cares about, and what I care about. He has never harmed a downed Purple Martin. But, he shows me where they are... amazing.