Martins back in Michingan

Lawrence Berger~MI · Sat Mar 31, 2007 2:14 pm

Saw my first martin back today. A second year female. She just sat on one of my gourd racks waiting for me to open some and when I did, she flew right in. It's cloudy and 47 degrees here with a chilly east wind. Its suppose to get warmer for the next few days but the end of next week is only suppose to be in the low forty's. I hope she does well but it seems just too early in Michigan for Martins to return with our weather always fluctuating like it does. I guess I'll have to get the ole crickets out again this year. Last year in May it was just so rainy it was a bad year for my birds. Good luck to everyone and hopefully it will be a good year.

The Olsons · Sat Mar 31, 2007 2:27 pm

Lawrence,

Congratulations on your first martin back.

It is so exciting to see them again after the long wait...it is such a wonderful feeling to have them back. Since you obviously provided cricket meals successfully before I am sure she is going to be fine. Maybe you can also put little handwarmers in her gourd until she finds a mate to keep her warm

Best wishes to you and your martins for this season

Astrid

SoIndyDon · Sat Mar 31, 2007 5:34 pm

The "hand warmers" aren't a joke. One Canadian said that their Taverner style houses are often made with warmers! Northerners are ingenious!

John Atteberry · Sat Mar 31, 2007 9:06 pm

Congrats to you Lawerence on your martin showing up! I hope you have a terrific year! John!

Lawrence Berger~MI · Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:03 pm

Thanks to everyone who replied to my post and the good wishes. We're going to need it starting Wednesday. The weather from wednesday on is high in the thirty's and lows in the teens. Brrrrrrr. At least five days of this weather.

BigT · Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:19 pm

Lawrence, wish you and your early returner the best through another lousy northern weather event. Were you able to feed your birds last year? I had some pretty good success supplemental feeding here in Ohio last year, and I hope they remember. I have two pair in residence, crickets to be delivered tomorrow, but am a bit worried about this frontal system. I hope all the Northern landlords with scouts are prepared. Keep us posted on how it is going. Terry