For us folks in Western PA this will be the final day of extreme cold temperatures. It was very cold but sunny this morning with a 20 degree start. Still snow on the edges and a heavy frost. Forecast today is sunshine and mid 40s but we should finally gain 10 degrees each day until we almost hit 80 this weekend. Most of the country will also welcome this warming change. Good thing because this has really gotten depressing.
I am counting 8 1/2 Martins. Why a half? I have one that arrived yesterday that is having a tough go of it. I toss him a cricket and he flies toward it but can't seem to catch. He tried to get a drink off the water my pool cover on the fly but failed that too. Not sure this one will make it. He is still trying though. He doesn't seem to know how to eat off the bed and breakfast. Almost like he is blind or unable to see well.
In any case the others are all doing very well and they were busy checking out cavities and doing a few things Martins usually do in the spring. But soaking up some sunshine was highest on their priority.
Doug
SPRINGTIME!!!!
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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ToyinPA
- Posts: 2227
- Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
- Location: PA/Avis
- Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.
It's 40 here with wind chill of 34 at 11:30 AM. Had a trace of snow overnight. Total cloud cover now. We had some snow flurries mid-morning. No sun here. Needless to say its COLD outside. UGHHH!!! So sick of this lousy weather. We need sun & warm.
We had a early morning appointment. Got home around 10:30 & my lone male was still tucked in the house trying to stay warm. I headed out to flip crickets. He ate 15-20. When it finally warms up at the end of the week I bet he'll be doing back flips & singing his little heart out. So far he has made little noise. I get a little chirp when I first go out to flip, then total quiet from him. He'll be so excited when it warms up enough for him to find insects & get warm.
Doug I wonder if that bird has cataracts. I had 2 chicks born with them in one eye. He probably can function, during decent weather, but with this cold weather it probably has him very weakened. Any chance you could catch him & take him to a rehabber or feed him up for a day or so?
Toy in PA
We had a early morning appointment. Got home around 10:30 & my lone male was still tucked in the house trying to stay warm. I headed out to flip crickets. He ate 15-20. When it finally warms up at the end of the week I bet he'll be doing back flips & singing his little heart out. So far he has made little noise. I get a little chirp when I first go out to flip, then total quiet from him. He'll be so excited when it warms up enough for him to find insects & get warm.
Doug I wonder if that bird has cataracts. I had 2 chicks born with them in one eye. He probably can function, during decent weather, but with this cold weather it probably has him very weakened. Any chance you could catch him & take him to a rehabber or feed him up for a day or so?
Toy in PA
PMCA Member
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JimmyP
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2017 7:04 am
- Location: Altamont Kansas
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2016 12 cavities
2017 Added T-14 7 pair
2018 Added 12 Gourd rack
Yesterday was the first warm day here in SE KS with 61deg today was 65deg and even warmer the rest of the week my martins are really doing better!! seen two male fighting today seen this before not sure if they are fighting over female or cavity ? won't be long before nest building. Good luck this year everybody!!