How the heck do we know they are hungry?!

[sonja8582]

How do we know when they are hungry? I’m in Texas and never had the martins arrive so early and about 3-4 days of cold- with above freezing during the day . W
I would think they could fly south towards warmer areas by instinct but obviously they don’t per this forum.
I’ve got 3-5 martins at least that I was able to spot- already sleeping in my trendsetter home.

For warmth I have their nest trays and pine straw already in there and I closed the air vents

For food, I’ve got plenty of, crickets, live and frozen, meal worms dry and living and superworms dried and living even some grass hoppers that are dried.

I don’t understand how we are suppose to know they are hungry since there is certainly a language barrier!

[flyin-lowe]

You can bet if they are on their second day without being able to feed, either due to temps never getting above 45-50, or constant rain, etc. they are hungry.
Once they start to get too hungry or week you will see then sit with their wings drooping lower than they normally do.

[C.C.Martins]

Sonja,
You sound food ready. Flying lowe nailed the visual signs, and he's right.
Now be prepared to start presenting the food. Dress warm.
If they are out on porches, droopy wings (they will look too heavy to carry almost) they are ready to eat. Heck if you don't notice droopy wings they will be ready.
Get your bugs ready, superworms and grasshoppers, flip in their direction but not at them, they have to see them, but don't scare them. Up and out. I use the red DQ blizzard spoons. Kill the superworms, I freeze them and thaw, they bite and bite hard. If they are biting me, for sure they will bite a martin.
Flip alot. Lots will fall, keep at it.
If its windy, use the wind to carry it near them...I stand up wind.
All you need is just one bird to get it and they win. Dont give up, you will loose alot of worms but don't give up.
Save some martins Sonja.
Tom

[Dave Reynolds]

... Good answers by flyin-lowe and Tom... Keep an Eye out for the signs they describe.. Good Luck ,,,

Dave

[Martintown33]

I’m not liking this weather set up..it’s going to be colder longer than forecasted.. many martins aren’t going to make it.. I have my Martin house heater in … but 3 days of no feeding weather… I’m having flashbacks of 4 years ago when I lost 90% of my colony… it doesn’t matter if it’s 24 or 44 degrees.. insects don’t fly in either one.. . I will put crickets in their compartments and porches and pray they eat them.. I’m not feeling good about this..
Rob

[ronniewayne58]

hi Sonja im just south of texarkana got 2 birds yesterday morning early. earliest ive seen any here. a bad time for sure in the 20s last night snowing lightly this morning still the the upper 20s. with 17 expected tonight. im not prepared to feed them as you are. i have never fed any they are usually mid march getting here. i am wondering if i can feed them dead honey bees. i have plenty of those??

[flyin-lowe]

If it is getting into the 40's then I would at least assume the martins are out, either on perches, or on porches etc. I have never had luck with martins eating food that wasn't. Even the martins that I have had eat flipped food, I placed the same food on porches and on feeding platforms and it got ignored. It definitely doesn't cost much to try, but I would spend some time on flipping them to see what happens. The very first time I ever flipped, it was less then 5 minutes before they were all eating. I also think they someone either got the attention of, or somehow let the other martins in the area know. The first time I ever fed I had less then 10 martins at my colony. Within 10 minutes there was 20, maybe more, flying around eating the crickets. Not sure if some other martins were within earshot or what but it drew a crowd.

[Thomas Maddox]

hi Sonja im just south of texarkana got 2 birds yesterday morning early. earliest ive seen any here. a bad time for sure in the 20s last night snowing lightly this morning still the the upper 20s. with 17 expected tonight. im not prepared to feed them as you are. i have never fed any they are usually mid march getting here. i am wondering if i can feed them dead honey bees. i have plenty of those??

I would try...

[C.C.Martins]

hi Sonja im just south of texarkana got 2 birds yesterday morning early. earliest ive seen any here. a bad time for sure in the 20s last night snowing lightly this morning still the the upper 20s. with 17 expected tonight. im not prepared to feed them as you are. i have never fed any they are usually mid march getting here. i am wondering if i can feed them dead honey bees. i have plenty of those??

I would try...

Yes, agree. Something, let them decide

[Forum Admin]

Hi Sonja!

This is a great question and many good answers have already been shared. But just wanted to share a few more resources you can use during bad weather/low food supplies for martins.

We have a lot of good information on our website: https://www.purplemartin.org/feeding/

Another note I'd make is: Watch perched birds for drooping wings. This can be a sign that the martin’s system is beginning to break down and digest its primary flight muscles.

We also have a YouTube video that may be helpful: https://youtu.be/JNcZ6ip92h0?feature=shared

And, as always, feel free to reach out to us directly at [email protected] or 814-833-7656 for more support!

[sonja8582]

Hi everyone!!!
My 3 martins made it! This week it’s warm, 70s during the day, low 60s at coldest and night temps are no longer expected to be freezing. The birds stay gone much of the day and do not hang out on the porches. There is one pair and one solo male here, sleeping in the Trendsetter 18 room all to their selves… right now as I type this!
I did put hand warmers in the cavities between the nest boxes and the wall of the compartment. I left crickets and super worms on the porches and inside the compartments. No takers though. They ate zero of them. I don’t think they got hungry here maybe because it was only a brief period of time that it got very cold. The male was repeatedly doing the singing trill the males do to keep his lady in the compartment and sounded full of energy! The solo male acted normal as well, sat outside briefly looking for a female and singing to the sky. I also appreciate the help of Kathy Laine during this confusing time. As a landlord for a few years this is the earliest return and the coldest. But the joy when I hear them singing the very first time and get to look up and see them doing their soaring!
Thanks a lot to everyone for your help! I wish you a good season and pray you do not lose many martins due to the cold temps.

[C.C.Martins]

Good news! Glad to hear it, think its going to be rough the next few days as folks are able to look.
Hope the rest of your season is a good one!
Tom

[sonja8582]

10 martins singing and happy as larks. No wing drooping. Going to be a busy season!