Preparing for a long stretch of rain

[Birdiegirl]

In Kentucky we're used to some roller coaster weather in the spring- but WOW they are predicting quite an unfortunate scenario later this week. Supposedly we're set for four consecutive days of rain and thunderstorms... starting tomorrow night. By the end of this weekend, we may end up with over 7" of rain! I'd love to hear how others on here are preparing for the same conditions.

Luckily temps will be mildish, in the mid to upper 60s and low 70s, and I'm hoping for a few periods of no rain when the birds can venture out. I have lots of crickets on hand so I'm expecting to try out supplemental feeding again. Any advice for flipping crickets in the rain? Will they even attempt to feed? I sure hope so.

[C.C.Martins]

Laura,
Hope it goes well! If the Temps are mild, and there are a few breaks in the rain all will be fine. Your martins may very well just sit out in it.

If your going to give it a shot, day two and certinally day 3 are good days to give them a try. And yes, they come for food in the rain just fine. You may get damp, but its worth the effort.

[Birdiegirl]

Thanks so much! I absolutely don't mind getting soaked to help them.

You also answered a question I meant to ask, .... that is, when the best day(s) to try. I want to catch them hungry enough but not wait too long and just scare them when energy stores are critically low. I know the postures to look for based on other posts... but that could be hard to tell with wet birds.

I guess this gives me an excuse to buy a Blizzard on my way home to nab some long-handled spoons...

Thanks again

[C.C.Martins]

Yummmmmmm! Blizzards!!!!!

Please let us know!

[Phil01]

Laura,
Tom nailed it with solid advice as always! Day two of bad weather was when mine started to take the flipped crickets this year. You’re going to go through some crickets at first so don’t get discouraged. What seemed to trigger them starting to go for the crickets, for me, was when I flipped multiple crickets. I was sending up 3 and 4 at a time. Not sure if that was just dump luck or not..
Mine like to sit out on the housing all puffed up when it’s rainy and nasty as Tom stated… Don’t know why they don’t just go into the housing and get out of the weather, drives me nuts… lol
Anyway, good luck. Let us know how it goes.
Phil

[Martintown33]

Hi Laura. Agree with Tom and Phil.. but I’ve notched they seem to enjoy sitting out in the rain, if the temps are warm.. as far as supplemental feeding.. agree to try flipping on second and third day.. but I’ve had very good success, placing crickets inside their compartments and on porches.. morning and evening.. about 20 crickets per Martin, in morning and evening.. this kept them going well, for several days in the rainy cold run we went through recently.. might want to try that as well as flipping..
..good luck
Rob

[Birdiegirl]

I truly appreciate the helpful responses. Thankfully we were spared any tornadic activity- but the winds were violent enough to snap an aluminum pole with two gourds on it. Luckily, it's early enough in the season that no nests were inside- and no birds were using them at the moment.

Through Sunday, daytime temps should be mid 60s to low 70s. Rain and storms are predicted throughout, but there are supposed to be a few breaks in the rain. Not sure if it will be enough for insects to take flight?

I won't be home to see if the birds venture out today and tomorrow. I will watch their behavior to see if I can tell if they were successful in getting any food. I plan to toss crickets Friday afternoon and/or Saturday either way. Hubby snagged 10 spoons at DQ

So- if I also place food inside the housing, what time of day should I try that? Do the birds need to be away or is temporarily flushing them okay? I have 34 apartments and about two dozen birds so far- it doesn't seem anyone has made final decisions so I'm not entirely sure which spaces to put the food in.

[Martintown33]

Hi Laura. If you’re out there in the evening, you can get an idea of what compartments they go into for the night. I would place the crickets in those compartments… and put some on porches so they can see those even if they aren’t staying in it. I usually put the crickets in/on at about 10 am. Not too early as to try not to disturb them .. then about 4 pm before they get back for the evening.
Good luck
Rob

[Birdiegirl]

Thanks, Rob. I will give that a try! The weekend definitely gives me more time to watch.

[mwren]

Laura,
Get your flipping spoon out, and get large meal worms airborn!!
Good luck, supplemental feeding can save your colony!

Mike Wren

[flyin-lowe]

How did the weather end up for you? We had the same forecast in Indiana, however there have been many hours each day with no rain, so the martins have had no problem feeding. Some places in southern Indiana will have close to double digit rain totals by the weekend but a majority of it has come in the overnight hours.

[Birdiegirl]

So maybe a little better than expected? Yesterday there were definitely a couple breaks- but I wasn't home to see if they ventured out. Watching the birds when I got home yesterday afternoon (during a rain break) I noticed a couple birds do the beak scrape and saw one defecate... so I took those as good signs they had perhaps eaten a little.

It has been drizzling or raining most of the day today- but radar shows we may have a break for a couple of hours. Hoping they get another opportunity to feed this afternoon.

Tomorrow looks pretty set in rain. Since it's a weekend and I'll be home- if the birds are on the housing, I plan to flip crickets. If there is a break and they leave, I'll stash some in the housing too. Sunday now is forecasted 48 and mostly rainy. I'll do the same then for sure because of the cooler temps.

I'm cautiously optimistic. It is frustrating to be unsure of if they are eating, and how much. To date, there's not been a time I was sure my birds were hungry enough to take supplemental food- it's like they've been on the edge a couple of times but not desperate enough. So I'll try again. I'd like them to learn.

I'm so glad that you've had better conditions in Indiana! Thank you for asking about my situation. I truly appreciate the support and advice from my forum friends!

[Mstan]

Needs some advise on supplemental feeding. I am located in Farmington Mo. Friday I believe my colony of 30 plus martins had about a 2-3 hr window to feed. Sat and Sunday will be light rain with temps in the mid 40s. Monday it will be sunny with temps in the high 50s. I am undecided if I should buys some mealworms and put on their porches. Thank you for any and all advise.

[C.C.Martins]

Needs some advise on supplemental feeding. I am located in Farmington Mo. Friday I believe my colony of 30 plus martins had about a 2-3 hr window to feed. Sat and Sunday will be light rain with temps in the mid 40s. Monday it will be sunny with temps in the high 50s. I am undecided if I should buys some mealworms and put on their porches. Thank you for any and all advise.

Mstan,
How was the weather before it turned south? I honestly believe your birds will be ok, they will just hang around their homes and sit in the rain Ill bet. High 50s is an ok temp for them, they will be able to find food.

Id go buy some anyway just in case, this season had tons of supplemental food opportunities with some real wins. Id get crickets too, just have a few hundred on hand for jumping chicks perhaps.

[Mstan]

Thank you for the reply CC. The weather before it turned south was good and the colony was growing and very active. I feel they will be okay also. Sunday will be cold and light rain but a good rebound Monday. I will take your advice and stock up on mealworms and crickets for future needs. Thanks again for replying. This is just my third year being a land lord so I haven’t experienced what I need to yet. Thankful to have experienced land lords that are willing to share and help.

[seth❤️birds]

How many days of nasty weather can martins handle , before they will starve



PMCA Member
Seth Sensenig

[C.C.Martins]

Mstan,
Im glad, its always a worry. Any time, its what we do and hope your season and those to follow are great ones. You are very welcome sir.

Seth,
Its critical for them at 3 days. Some signs to look for are droopy wings, droopy as in it seems like they are too heavy to carry...not just staying warm. Look for runny poop.

If you see that, typically after a very cold event and especially after they arrive from migration, its time to explore options to get food up there.
Best,
Tom

[Thomas Maddox]

How many days of nasty weather can martins handle , before they will starve



PMCA Member
Seth Sensenig

Generally, about 3 days. It gets dire after that.

[Mstan]

Glad to report today that all is well with my colony. After three stormy cold days the sun came out and warmed things up. The Martins started feeding about 9:00 til sundown.

[Thomas Maddox]

Good! Huge relief!