Just got back from being out of town. Many of late hatching martins died in gourds. When it is between 105 and 110, even the attempts at providing circulation that I made have little impact under these conditions. There are a few gourds with survivors yet, but I fully expect about 45 of the 90 birds will perish.
Has anyone had any success with any kind of misting system? Back on the farm we used misters for hogs, but I have no idea whether a person could rig up some type of misting system above the gourds that would have any value. I would be interesting in any experience anyone has had trying to use misting. Larry
Weather killing birds in southern Kansas
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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.
I'm not an expert on this topic, but I can tell you that there have been numerous posts on misting lately, so you could take a look at the threads for the last few days that have been posted on this topic.
Also, do a search on "TX Rehabber", and you'll find some information that she posted on helping the parents / nestlings survive this.
Also, do a search on "TX Rehabber", and you'll find some information that she posted on helping the parents / nestlings survive this.
"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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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Consider adding more ventilation and shade to houses and gourds - you can buy rolls of shadecloth at big box stores. Depending on design of house or gourd racks, it may be possible to create an umbrella of shadecloth - the shade provided will keep nestlings cooler. The umbrella is mounted an inch or more above gourds, so cooler, shaded air passes between the housing and the umbrella.
For houses, shadecloth can be secured with bungee cords, and spacers (dowels or small strips of wood) will hold it out from the roof - also shade west and south walls if possible. Or use a piece of styrofoam or luan for shade panels.
OK landlord Tom Martin had done a lot to add ventilation, insulation, and shade to his colony, and it helped during brutal OK summers.
Edit: I am adding links to some older threads with photos that show some heat shields. We have had good success with these at our very hot inland site. I just want to encourage landlords to try this!
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 035#138035
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 895#137895
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 074#138074
For houses, shadecloth can be secured with bungee cords, and spacers (dowels or small strips of wood) will hold it out from the roof - also shade west and south walls if possible. Or use a piece of styrofoam or luan for shade panels.
OK landlord Tom Martin had done a lot to add ventilation, insulation, and shade to his colony, and it helped during brutal OK summers.
Edit: I am adding links to some older threads with photos that show some heat shields. We have had good success with these at our very hot inland site. I just want to encourage landlords to try this!
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 035#138035
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 895#137895
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 074#138074