Feeding our Early Birds

[Guest]

I am beginning to be somewhat concerned with such an early arrival and our very slight winter weather. I just hope that our birds do not get into BIG trouble and that they know what Mother Nature has truly got planned. I would hate to see us loose a lot of Birds this year due to lack of food and a hard hard freeze for several days. Sorry to be so pessimistic. So my question is, has anyone had any luck feeding birds through a really bad situation such as something that could happen like this. I would like to be prepared. Thanks for feedback.
Pam
Houston, Tx.

[John Barrow]

Hi Pam. I have both of my colonies-one in Port O'Connor and one in Corpus Christi-trained to accept crickets and other food, both tossed to them and on a feeding station. It was not that difficult to do, but did take some initial perseverence. In fact, with last season's insect shortages I fed crickets heavily in mid May to mid June when adults were feeding nestlings of 15 plus days. For each of the past 3-4 years I have fed crickets to martins during cold spells in February and early March. Both of my colonies receive heavy influxes of martins migrating north, and after crossing the gulf they are often weak and in dire need of immediate food sources. I have found food to be scarce that time of the year when temps are below 50-55 degrees and supplemental feeding will be utilized. Migrating martins will readily eat thawed crickets, even off of the ground when hungry, and are heavy users of my supplemental feeding attempts.

I recommend that you keep on hand a supply of 1000 crickets that can be frozen in the box upon receipt, transferred into a ziploc bag and kept in the freezer until needed. I then thaw them in warm water and toss or supply them to the martins. Initially, you will need to toss them (flung with a plastic spoon or with a slingshot) to the martins so that they resemble live food. In time they will come to utilize nearby roof tops or food trays for the feeding. The update magazine has articles online at the PMCA home page about supplemental feeding which I recommend that you read.

Louise Chambers will be speaking at the Houston Jan meeting and can answer any questions about supplemental feeding that you might have. She observed or participated in all of the feeding I did last season and oversaw that aspect of the PMCA colonies while she was in PA. The only difference in Texas is that we have had very poor success in getting martins to eat scrambled egg except in extreme hardship situations.

Best of luck this season. jb

[CUL Lou~Mich]

Pam. Yes, many landlord/landladies have had moderate to good success in feeding the PMs. Some feed mealworms, some crickets, some scrambled eggs. I believe the best luck was with crickets. Several folks last year said they had to fling a bunch before the PMs would take them. Most folks found that by standing 10 or 15 feet in front of the PMs (horizontally) then flinging the crickets out in front of the PMs, the PMs would eventually get the idea. MOst reported that once one got the idea, then it was "Monkey see, monkey do." In other words, one would teach the who bunch. The secret is to get that first one to take a cricket/mealworm/egg, and then they'd all join in. I guess the best thing is to have the food go up and then arch back down, preferably both in front of the PMs. Sounds like you need to find out where, and when that meeting is, and go join them. Good Luck, and I hope the weather don't fool them this year again. Maybe it'll just stay nice right on into summer. CUL Lou