Cork in a bottle year for northeast?

Doug Martin - PA · Fri Mar 16, 2018 10:09 am

As I anxiously await my first arrival of the season today we are on the same date (March 16th) of my first arrival in 2016 and just a bit earlier than the first one on 24th last year. However this year is much different. We will not get much above freezing today and there is an inch of snow on the ground. There is a cold north wind. This has been our weather recently.

The weather will certainly not be favorable for an early return this year to my area. The Gulf will open up nicely in the coming days and this should be a banner week for arrivals into the warm south. But that is where they will need to stay for a while.

Around the area of Northern Tennessee and Kentucky a wall will be in place. There any southerly flow will end and be met with strong resistance of a northerly force of cold air and colder temperatures. Even Kentucky will struggle next week to reach temperatures suitable for their arrivals.

Here in Western PA the forecast is another potential snowstorm for next week. There are really no days anytime soon to enjoy any south winds at all through early April. The east coast will remain under the threat of continued pressure of nor'easters one after the other, and this will continue to pull down more cold air from Northern Canada.

At some point the south winds will eventually push north and when it does the entire northeast will be showered with arrivals at the same time. This same scenario has occurred back in 2011 as well. So I have seen it before. Like a cork being pulled from a bottle.

Bear in mind that there are always a few bucking broncos. By that I mean those few birds with a desire to come home no matter what the circumstances. They may take advantage of even a light northern wind and clear sky to get home. So be on the lookout and be ready to nurse them through some not so favorable weather. (A window of opportunity for them will open in the next few days.)

Doug

Kyler · Fri Mar 16, 2018 10:48 am

Doug,
I have been looking everyday. Yesterday we had some winds from the South that I thought we had a pretty good chance to see our first one. But then today we have a mix of some pretty strong winds coming from the West, North and South. We also have rain today. But tomorrow is supposed to open up and hardly have any wind but then Sunday should be a pretty good day for arrivals in the West.

Kyler,

John & Linda - KY · Fri Mar 16, 2018 11:05 am

I just looked at the long range weather forecast for our area (about 75 miles down river from Louisville). Next week doesn't look good for martin arrivals, highs around 50 & lows near 30. The next week is better, highs in the mid 50's & lows around 40. I hope the martins hold off until it's warm enough for them to survive. -- John

mike2656 · Fri Mar 16, 2018 11:13 am

Doug,

I am concerned, as well in SE PA. It is almost time to put up the houses and gourds and the weather has not been consistent enough yet

After the Spring of 2016 wiped out my fledgling colony, I am fearful of changing weather patterns.

ToyinPA · Fri Mar 16, 2018 11:42 am

Thanks for the update Doug.

I just typed up a rather long reply about spring of 2016 & when I clicked submit it went poof.

I hope mine don't arrive until April. I'll be ready to feed any that want to stop over on their way further north.

Toy in PA.

Dave Reynolds · Fri Mar 16, 2018 7:55 pm

Doug —- Thanks for the update.. look forward to your weather reports..

Dave

Dave Reynolds · Fri Mar 16, 2018 7:56 pm

Doug —- Thanks for the update.. look forward to your weather reports..

Dave

Doug Martin - PA · Sat Mar 17, 2018 7:06 pm

Thanks for your replies all.

Just thought I would mention that I am trying a different route this year for feeding. Added to the menu is a 5lb bag of dried crickets. It is huge and looks to contain many thousands of crickets. I also got 11lbs of freeze dried meal worms as well.

The plan is to reconstitute them in warm water prior to feeding. I am not sure if the crickets will still be able to be flipped like the live frozen ones but I will find out soon. In any case my birds will eat almost anything I give them on a bed and breakfast.

I have had good success with the freeze dried mealworms already but the dried crickets are a new item. They are 65% protein and only 8 percent fat. This is a very good lean protein for Martins. I have always worried about too much egg as they are a little high in fat and give them loose stools. They can lead to some messy nests during long cold spells.

I will report on how this combo works out.

Also I saw that the first arrival in PA was just reported today but arrived on the 10th. I am sometimes next in line afterward so maybe one will sneak in here in the next day or two. For some reason my first ones come in around 11:00 AM

Doug