Question about timing for training/supplemental feeding

[Birdiegirl]

From what I've read here, offering supplemental food is best accepted by 'untrained' martins after 2-3 days of poor weather (temps lower than 54 degrees, high wind, set in rain). As a new landlord in the not-so-deep south (Kentucky), conditions rarely persist that long- though I know it could happen and want to be ready when it does. Thanks to this forum, I think I have a good grasp on what to feed, where to get it, and how to launch it to the birds- but I need to know a little more about the 'when'. I find myself wanting to try after just one miserable weather day- but wonder if it's worth the stress to the birds when the next day's conditions will be somewhat better?

How do I balance the 'they aren't hungry enough to try so why stress them out on a cold day' with 'they need to learn'? I hope this makes sense.

Also- what time of day is best to offer food? Our martins didn't feed at all on Sunday (cloudy, in the 40s). Yesterday it was in the low 50s- birds were gone when I got home from work but came in earlier than normal. Today it's supposed to (thankfully) be sunny and in the low 60s- so once again, crisis averted for now.

Many here suggest the use of the 'bed and breakfast' feeding platform. We tried something similar last year but got only nontarget birds, the martins were uninterested. I hesitate to try that again as I don't want to risk an invitation to house sparrows or starlings.

I continue to be inspired by those successfully feeding birds, frustrated along with those trying to train, and hurting for those with weather losses. Appreciate the help.

[randyM]

You'll likely have the best luck training birds to eat flipped insects once you notice the majority of the birds at your site with "drooped wings" which indicates a weakened condition due to lack of an adequate amount of food. I had luck training birds at my colony during cold spring weather two years ago by flipping thawed June beetles and grasshoppers I collected the prior summer and froze. I'd force the wings of the insects open before I flipped them and the pinwheeling decent seemed to grab the birds' attention more readily than repeatedly flipped wingless crickets. I also collected dragonflies that were dropped to the ground when parent martins were feeding their young and "missed" their mouths. These dragonflies really came in handy. After flipping grasshoppers and beetles at my friends colony last spring during cold weather for about 10 minutes without success I took a rehydrated and thawed dragonfly and tossed it into the air. Immediately 3 martins left their perches and tried to catch it before it hit the ground. I picked it up again and tossed it into the air and one grabbed it. I only had one more dragonfly and tossed that into the air as well and 5 martins chased it with one catching and eating it. We then began flipping grasshoppers and beetles again, and had a two dozen martins catching and eating the insects within minutes. In my experience, I think flipping dragonflies is the secret fast track to getting martins to accept other kinds of flipped insects more readily.

The first male martin this year made it to my colony on April 12 only to face cold, wind, and snow the day after his arrival. I flipped grasshoppers to him on April 14 and he caught the first one I flipped (likely a returning customer from last year!). Four more martins arrived within next few days and all readily accepted flipped insects. This past weekend I had 16 martins at my site but it was windy with daytime temps only reaching 40 degrees. I flipped insects to them at about 9:00 AM and they all got their fill after about 10 minutes of flipping. At noon the birds took off and the temp never got above 45 degrees that afternoon. All birds returned at 6:00 PM. I went out and flipped over 200 beetles to the 16 birds and they ate all of them. Apparently they didn't find much food while out and about that afternoon. I now have 30 martins at my site and the temps are forecasted to reach about 50 going forward. I don't have time to flip food for 30 martins, so I set up 3 elevated feeding trays near their housing. These are the same trays where I place eggshells and oyster shells when nest building begins each year. I put freeze-dried mealworms and eggshells in the trays and the birds are now feeding themselves as some remember these trays from last year....Last spring I put the trays out with grasshoppers, beetles, mealworms and eggshells and placed a few rehydrated dragonflies on top of the worms and shells to hopefully attract some extra attention. I then flipped grasshoppers and beetles taken from the tray directly above the trays to hungry feeding martins. After about a minute of flipping, I stepped away and within 5 minutes birds were feeding from the trays on their own. Even if you don't experience cold weather anymore this year, I'd suggest you put out feeding trays with eggshells/oyster shells and add dehydrated mealworms to the trays. Hopefully during cold weather next spring the birds will remember the trays are a source of food and calcium.

I hope you find some of this info helpful for your situation.

Randy

[Birdiegirl]

Hi RandyM,

Thank you so much for such a detailed response! You've inspired me to try and collect insects- hopefully dragonflies- this summer and store them for next year. Taking the time to position the insect wings out before tossing sounds like a pro tip indeed.

Perhaps I did not have luck with my feeding station last year because it wasn't elevated. You've got me thinking...I have what's left of two tri tel poles that I could repurpose with trays to create a feeding station. I won't be able to raise it as high as my housing, but I think I could get it about 10' into the air.

Enjoy your birds this year- sounds like you've got a nice and well-fed colony! I appreciate you sharing what's worked for you and wish you continued success.

[randyM]

I believe elevating the feeding trays really helps to get martins interested in the feeding trays. Adding eggshells along with any offered food should entice them to inspect the feeding trays during the nesting season even if they're only interested in the eggshells. Hopefully they'll remember the trays are also a source of food in subsequent years when the weather conditions are cold. I have my feeding trays within 15 feet of my housing and secured to the top of 10 foot poles. The bases of my martin houses are 12' above the ground.

Best of luck this season.

Randy

[daveh]

I use a feeder station every year and use it throughout the season. I place dried meal worms, pine straw and oyster shell in it. It's about 6 ft. high so I can maintain it onthe ground.The birds use it a lot. But starlings and robins eat a lot of the meal worms which I don't like but oh well.

dave