What have I done !

[Larry A Kronemeyer]

Eleven days ago our area had a 4-day cold snap with heavy rains. Hatching had just started and we lost 2 hatched clutches, 3 partial clutches and 2 nests never hatched at all. Lost 2 ASY birds as well. Got the other 15 nests and 50+ birds thru with supplemental feeding. Since then we've had ok weather with lots of rain. On the days with rain I have been going out in the evening and putting mealworms in the b&b. I figure the parents could use it. Today more storms. Rain has moved out but gusty winds remain. So I look outside and the martins are sitting in the b&b looking for a handout. When I go out with mealworms I am mobbed. I notice most all birds are returning to their compartments to feed their young. The old timers and subbies alike.
Nice to think I'm helping out, but I truly wonder if I'm hurting them more than helping.
Good golly! I sure don't want to turn them into pets.
Should I ignore the birds sitting on the b&b as just lazy birds? Or assume they really need the boost.
Most all are out feeding now since the sun has come out. A few ASYs are hanging around fending off new SYs.
Renesting has begun for the ones who suffered losses and SYs and single ASYs are nest building as well. Still think our numbers will be way down this year due to weather.

[colliemom]

Mine do the same. They just use this to supplement their feeding when there are fewer bugs mostly.
They can also get the babies fattened so that they can fledge them on time. Especially late in the
season, this really helps them. Once they've fledged they take them to the B&B to feed them and
by the time they leave, the babies will be eating from the trays. So, next year when the subbies
come back, they already know about supplemental feeding.

If it was a large nest, it also saves the adults from having to fatten themselves up afterwards.
And, I have never seen any hesitation in their returning to hunting their own food. In fact,
they will leave the food you put out for the robins, grackles, phoebes, sparrows, cardinals, ...

[marcus]

I would feed as long as you have time and they take. They usually go back to feeding once it warms up.

[Larry A Kronemeyer]

Thanks colliemom and Marcus,
I just assumed I was helping them out until this morning when they were waiting on me. Happy, healthy martins and they have me trained.
Like you said, eat what they need and leave the rest to the robins and cardinals (2 nests of each close by).
I needed to hear from others that I'm not doing harm to my martins by feeding too much. Thanks for the reassurance.
Judy

[taxidermy lady]

I was going to text you today and ask what your birds are doing. ... I haven't seen the sun or a bird today.
Hay I wish I had them to spoil. I would say it gets expensive with so many. Good luck,

[Larry A Kronemeyer]

Thanks Sharon!!!
Yeah....yucky day. How bout that lightning this morning ! Yep, can be expensive but the dried mealworms are reasonable and stretch pretty far. So we might have to eat PBJ for lunch a few times, better than losing one's martins to weather. You will be doing the same sometime in the future, I am certain of that.
We have a bull sparrow that I am stalking right now....NEVER let it cross your mind that sparrows might help attract birds to your place. Arrgh...I can hear him call but he's too quick. He wants a compartment that a lovely sy pair have been staying in. Got to get him before they start laying eggs.
Hope you get some visitors later today ..a few more sys came in last night. New here and had to sleep on porches last night.
Have a great weekend.
Judy

[taxidermy lady]

The sun has just came out down here. I've been in the shop all day insulating the outer walls. UGH. Carpenters took the back wall out and added 2 Windows . Opened my world up. Also can see the Martin poles better I was outside and did see one come by about 3:00.. Had chatter on medium volume but she was headed to the river. Good luck w itch that sparrow!

[JudyA]

We have a bull sparrow that I am stalking right now....NEVER let it cross your mind that sparrows might help attract birds to your place. Arrgh...I can hear him call but he's too quick. He wants a compartment that a lovely sy pair have been staying in. Got to get him before they start laying eggs.

You go get him Judy! Good luck!
- Judy

[Larry A Kronemeyer]

Hi Judy !
Before I retired I worked retail. Same place for years. Had a Judy club Judy customers and I would always stop a say Hi Judy to each other. Made everyone smile.
Sparrow is still here. Drat it all! Made Larry put up homemade sparrow NB trap in the rain. Some success in past years, we'll see. Sparrow is wary. It's just a matter of time and my determination. Grrrrr.
Judy

[taxidermy lady]

Good morning Larry and Judy, well another rainy day. I am wanting to come up and see your colony before they leave. I will have you guys let me know when the best time would be! (If you don't mind)!

[ToyinPA]

Judy:
When the weather is bad for 2-4 days & they can not find enough food, they begin to weaken. Chicks dehydrate quickly & once they are dehydrated it's almost impossible to pull them back.

If the parents can't find enough food for themselves they won't feed their chicks. All is lost.

Supplemetal feeding will get them thru. My colony will usually ignore supplemental feeding if the weather permits them finding food naturally.

Toy in PA

[Larry A Kronemeyer]

Thanks for the thumbs up. Steady rain again this morning. Gusty winds now. We have a break this afternoon so I put mealworms out and the martins rushed the b&b. Sort of reminded me of the grocery store when the weather service says it's going to snow. Three males actually fight over the food...they are the birds with the oldest nestlings.
So, since everyone says I'm not harming the martins, I'll continue to offer crickets and mealworms a couple of times a day and let them be the judge of what they need.
Thanks to all.
Judy