Hi Everyone,
I saw my first Martin today!!!!!!! I think he might be one of mine from last year as he went directly to the Wade. The only thing is that he only stayed for about an hour. I hope he can find some food around here. He must have been traveling awhile in some cold weather. We are barely above 50. Tomorrow is supposed to be 45 and the day after 51. Next week we will be in the upper 50's lower 60's for the first time in weeks. I put up my bed and breakfast with some mashed hard boiled egg with extra shell. If it is one of mine, he is accustomed to eating shells. If he comes back I'll try to toss some mealworms. The lighting was so perfect today that he glowed!!
A lone ASY male was feeding over my place, too. Not one of mine. Appears that he probably belongs to a long-established colony a quarter mile up the road.
Hi Tree!
Why do you say that he belongs to the colony up the road? Mine hasn't returned. I am wondering if he belonged somewhere else too. Have you seen other martins in your area? It has been so cold, I was thinking that they might be more occupied with finding food than claiming a home.
Just the direction that he headed. During the entire season, I can watch a twice daily feeding frenzy of swallows as my neighbor's dairy heard moves to the milking barn. They bring and stir up huge quantities of bugs. Many hundreds of mixed swallows make figure eights through the flies and other bugs morning and evening. From my place, all the avian activity is silhouetted against the white barn. It's amazing to watch!
Hi Tree,
That does sound amazing to watch!
Apparently my male found his mate and spent the night in the Wade! The temp is about 40 so I decided to try tossing them some mealworms. Seems all I did was scare them off. I sure hope they are OK. It is supposed to be in the 60's all next week starting Monday.
