Another article on supplemental feeding how-tos

[Louise Chambers]

We just added another feeding article to Update online library. If you have Update 14(3) at home, the article titled Supplemental Feeding Strategies was in that issue, Summer of 2005.

Here's a link: http://www.purplemartin.org/update/14.3 ... eeding.pdf

This article reviews methods of feeding, food choices, timing, etc - hope it helps those who are giving it a try during the present spell of rough weather.

Louise

[Guest]

Louise - Thanks for posting that article. It is really informative.



Thanks again,,

Lanell

[John Miller]

Recently there's been discussion about the decision making a landlord must go through in deciding to offer or not offer supplemental food.

One good point was that it causes the landlord a lot of anguish if it doesn't work and some sites may be more or less feasible. Still, I think if birds are genuinely stressed, I'd try.

I am comforted in knowing that nature has safeguards in place. The very early martins likely will be replaced by others in a few weeks, and a third backup wave of sub adults.

Even if a regional population were wiped out, in a few years or decades it likely would be replaced. But as a mortal, I might not have a few years to wait -- you never know.

So, I've not attempted this, and may not need to this year, but a box of crickets arrived on my porch a few hours ago and they are now chillin' -- just in case.

John Miller

[Dave S (Texas)]

When ordering crickets, buy the biggest they have.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Dave, I agree, get the largest crickets that you can buy...I bought small ones the first time, it was windy, there is no way that I could get them up to the martins...tossing the large ones works better if its windy, plus you can see where they went. Its hard to see the small ones on a dreary day...I also had trouble seeing the mealy worms, but the martins must have better eyes than me, as they had no trouble seeing and catching the mealy worms...