Darryl, so sorry to hear this. I lost 2 yesterday also, then a third one to a hawk. Please keep trying. Sooner or later, you'll get one that's hungry enough to take food. There are lots of good suggestions in this thread - maybe one of them will the the one idea that gets it started at your colony!
I understanding being sick with regards to just thinking about it. I took my dog out last night for her last potty walk and there was so much snow on the ground and still coming down and all I could do was stare at my racks and the housing the whole time, thinking about how cold they must be in there.
It's very odd - my aunt emailed me yesterday and told me that none of her birds are back yet. Her colony is 4 or 5 years older than my colony...I'm wondering where her birds are....
Best of luck to you and your birds.
Kathy
Bad News
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KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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DebA
- Posts: 1941
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
- Location: Pratt County/Kansas
- Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.
Kathy,
Is her colony as large as yours? That is odd. I am nervous that mine haven't shown up and have to tell myself it is still early in comparison to previous years' dates. I keep wondering if they've perished coming up but I suspect (don't know) that mine come through Texas, Oklahoma and although cold too certainly not as bad as your way.
Like Dorn said earlier it was a hurry up because they are way early and now he and I sit and wait...which is a blessing afterall I 'spose.
You inspire me with your feeder board. How neat to interact that closely with your martins!
Deb
Is her colony as large as yours? That is odd. I am nervous that mine haven't shown up and have to tell myself it is still early in comparison to previous years' dates. I keep wondering if they've perished coming up but I suspect (don't know) that mine come through Texas, Oklahoma and although cold too certainly not as bad as your way.
Like Dorn said earlier it was a hurry up because they are way early and now he and I sit and wait...which is a blessing afterall I 'spose.
You inspire me with your feeder board. How neat to interact that closely with your martins!
Deb
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
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birdy girl
- Posts: 1179
- Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:09 am
- Location: Mississippi/Dumas
If you see them going to a certain place on the ground, put a few crickets in that area and watch to see if they eat from the ground. Never give up. When weather is warm spend lots of time out at the colony so they will get used to your presence. Never give up on teaching them to take food. Every year the need to feed martins will arise.
I dont mean to hijack your thread again but a quick update on my situation. My feed pan had only a few dried up egg peices and no crickets in it last night. There was no wind to blow them away so I must assume the Martins ate them. I added more crickets so they will have breakfast this morning following the low temps of 22*. Supposed to be in the 50s today and 65* tomorrow so the bugs should start flying soon.
4th season Landlord - new Super Gourd system this year!
March 25 and they have finally arived!
March 25 and they have finally arived!
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Darryl Sparlin
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 4:01 pm
- Location: Webb City, Mo
Checked on them this morning. I found 5 more dead. One house had
6 live birds and one dead. I counted 10 that flew out and away. I have seen
as many a 3 on the roof of my daughters house. The shingles are black and I assume they are trying to get warm. I found 1 dark male on the ground and he could just barely fly. I took him I the garage and put him in a wire cage, along with some water, eggs, and crickets. He is so weak he can hardly hold his head up. There had to be more that left earlier or else they didn't go to roost last night. I counted over 25 martins here yesterday. It is
warmer out today, but only going to reach 41 for the high. Tomorrow going to be in the 50;s but it supposed to rain. Just have to wait it out I guess.
6 live birds and one dead. I counted 10 that flew out and away. I have seen
as many a 3 on the roof of my daughters house. The shingles are black and I assume they are trying to get warm. I found 1 dark male on the ground and he could just barely fly. I took him I the garage and put him in a wire cage, along with some water, eggs, and crickets. He is so weak he can hardly hold his head up. There had to be more that left earlier or else they didn't go to roost last night. I counted over 25 martins here yesterday. It is
warmer out today, but only going to reach 41 for the high. Tomorrow going to be in the 50;s but it supposed to rain. Just have to wait it out I guess.
Darryl Sparlin
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
I am so sorry, Darryl, that's really rough. The bird that you found on the ground needs to be warmed up - can you put a heating pad on low under it's box, or put a light bulb next to it? It may need to be fed some crickets dipped in water if it's too weak to do anything for itself.
I think the birds that flew off today ought to make it, tomorrow will be warmer.
I think the birds that flew off today ought to make it, tomorrow will be warmer.
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John Miller
- Posts: 4867
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
I recall Mary Dawson of MI several years ago putting adults in a deep five gallon bucket with a wire mesh on top. May feel more secure. She may have put a brick in bottom for the martin to climb up on. She said took several days of rehab and when martin started flying up against the mesh lid, it was time to release.
John
John
Im sorry that you have lost some birds Darryl. You are trying hard to feed them and you have no turned your back and that counts. Its been colder in Texas and thats Texas where the sun becomes hell fire and kills so I can only imagine what kind of cold you are dealing with.
I have noticed sometimes with Martins and BB that staring at them will get them nervous. Their sight is superb and a single bird seems to know I am looking right at them.
Possibly not looking at them directly and flipping small pieces close to them and not at them will help. Whistling seems to get their attention too.
I have noticed sometimes with Martins and BB that staring at them will get them nervous. Their sight is superb and a single bird seems to know I am looking right at them.
Possibly not looking at them directly and flipping small pieces close to them and not at them will help. Whistling seems to get their attention too.
2008~(1st yr) 4 pairs, 11 to 12 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
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Darryl Sparlin
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 4:01 pm
- Location: Webb City, Mo
I brought one dark male into the garage, as I keep it heated. I put crickets & eggs with it, but it died about an hour later. So far today I found 7 dead martins. There were some that flew out of the houses, and I helped 10 get out. They were not flying very good. I don't know if they made it back yet or not. I will go out and check right before dark. This has been a very bad day for me, concerning the martins. supposed to be in the 50's tomorrow, but rain is in the forecast also. These martins need a break. I'm afraid I lost all that had shown up here, unless some come back this evening. I don't think they could be getting anything to eat today, as it only got up to 42deg.
Darryl Sparlin
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Tim Stover
- Posts: 505
- Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:04 pm
- Location: Tennesse/Madisonville
Darryl i have learned a lot about martins this season i also have lost two this is the third extreme snap of cold weather since they arrived not getting above 40 for 3 to 5 days what i have learned is keeping them warm is the best thing you can do Linda's hand warmer idea is the best thing ever thought of for cold martins i have used 3 cases of them 12 to 18 hour warmer's it work's put them in every evening warm martin is a happy martin
2009 2pair 2010 24pair 2011 106 pair
2012 124 pair
2013 145
2014 170 pair
+
2012 124 pair
2013 145
2014 170 pair
+
When I "trained" my birds to eat flipped insects several years ago, I flipped crickets until my hands were blue. I flipped them for 2 or 3 days with no luck. One day after flipping crickets, I tried a few mealworms. After a couple of mealworms flew by, the first bird grabbed one and they all caught on after that. I don't think they would have ever learned with crickets. Might be worth a shot. I hate you guys are having to go through all this. It's better here, but far from ideal. The birds here have had no feeding opportunities the past 2 days, but tomorrow looks to be better.
High quality plastic gourds with porched, tunnelled SREH are Martin magnets.
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JL Murray
Temps got up to 47 here today and i saw a couple bugs flying around when i went out to the mailbox,
I watched until dark 30 and i have no Martins here tonight!
You folks that have not lost all that showed up at your place hang in there things are starting to improve at least a little bit i just hope it is not too late to save your Martin's.
I watched until dark 30 and i have no Martins here tonight!
You folks that have not lost all that showed up at your place hang in there things are starting to improve at least a little bit i just hope it is not too late to save your Martin's.