We have successfully provided supplemental feeding for our martins for five seasons. They are now conditioned to use our homemade B&B for their needs, however, we still fling crickets and eggs early in the season, just to make sure some of them remember the drill. At this point in time, we now offer most of our supplemental offerings on the B&B.
When a landlord is presented with a SERIOUS *need to feed* situation, due to bad weather, diminished migratory arrivals, or stress to the colony, we have found that the most effective and efficient way to launch food quickly and efficiently is to use a spoon, spatula, and fling. You can get a lot more crickets and/or eggs into the air faster and more often than by using a slingshot, air compressor or blowgun. Please remember, during the most severe *need to feed* situations, it is so very important that you encourage the martins to conserve as much energy as possible.
When your martins are starving, the objective is to get them fed as quickly and as efficiently as possible. If they are conditioned to use a B&B, that is the best possible scenario. However, if you are just trying to condition your martins, while compressor guns, blowguns, or other means of launching might be fun, it is simply not as effective or as efficient as when using a spoon. Scoop and launch, scoop and launch..............
Attaining great height is NOT that important..........Martins will adjust to the altitude of the food, launch, fly around, capture and gulp. It is important to remember that normally they feed on the wing, so do not offer large crickets or pieces of egg. They must be able to capture and gulp on the wing. They never land on a branch and munch..........so it is important that crickets or morsels of eggs be small enough for them to gulp **on the wing**.
My husband, Paul and I tried the air compressor method one year. He hooked up the compressor, I flung with the spoon. I launched a lot more food, more often and more quickly than he did because he had to reload.......I did not, I only had to scoop up another three or four crickets or a spoon full of eggs, and launch.
***Some words of caution*** When you have a lot of martins in residence, please be very careful when flinging food. Risk of collision exists and we experienced this last year. Also, pay attention to the other birds in your yard. If they are sounding alarm calls, stop feeding immediately and only resume when the threat of danger has passed. Many times the martins are pre-occupied with feeding, and a hawk can attack, and will take advantage of them being pre-occupied with feeding. The sounds emitted by others in your yard should alert you to the *possibility* of a hawk. Only resume feeding when your yard has returned to *normal*, and the threat has passed.
My Two Cents on Supplemental Feeding
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Linda Reynolds
- Posts: 1308
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:33 pm
- Location: Adamsville, TN
Ever-Grateful,
Linda
Linda
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Donnie Hurdt MN
- Posts: 1723
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:14 pm
- Location: North Prairie, MN
Very good words of whisdom.
All of the new people on this forum (and us old ones too) can learn a lot from this lady. She knows what she is doing, expirence is the best teacher.
All of the new people on this forum (and us old ones too) can learn a lot from this lady. She knows what she is doing, expirence is the best teacher.
PMCA member and Martin fanatic....
2011 A pair of subbies fledged three young but none returned in 2012
2015 One Pair of subbies came and stayed a few nits but got chased away by Bluebirds and Tree swallows.
2017 0ne pair of subbies nested and fledged 4 young
2018 Tree Swallows AGAIN chased away any martins that wanted to nest
2019 Same old story................
2011 A pair of subbies fledged three young but none returned in 2012
2015 One Pair of subbies came and stayed a few nits but got chased away by Bluebirds and Tree swallows.
2017 0ne pair of subbies nested and fledged 4 young
2018 Tree Swallows AGAIN chased away any martins that wanted to nest
2019 Same old story................
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Guest
Very good article Linda. Thanks for the post & will save this one for further reference.
Ron, From WV
Ron, From WV
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Guest
Thanks so much Linda...your article is very informative. We have to be careful when we do occasionally "fling" crickets because if we cause too much of a commotion the !@#! seagulls will chase the martins away from their targets!
We tried a B&B tray but that was a disaster...the seagulls and grackles had a feast. Our best method yet has been to lower the gourds and place crickets on the interior porches and a few on the exterior porches...not too many as that would encourage the seagulls and grackles to steal from the porches. We also leave cricket and egg trails or our deck railings...so far the seagulls and grackles are too spooked to steal these...we had great luck with this method last year!
Sue
City by the Sea, TX
We tried a B&B tray but that was a disaster...the seagulls and grackles had a feast. Our best method yet has been to lower the gourds and place crickets on the interior porches and a few on the exterior porches...not too many as that would encourage the seagulls and grackles to steal from the porches. We also leave cricket and egg trails or our deck railings...so far the seagulls and grackles are too spooked to steal these...we had great luck with this method last year!
Sue
City by the Sea, TX
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klcretired
- Posts: 2174
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 3:06 am
- Location: Grand Prairie,Tx
Linda,
Thanks for your post, like Steve K and others you can explain things very well so that all of us LandLord's can understand it easily, i have had to Supplement feed a few times in the Past but hope that i don't have to this year weather permitting insects are flying right now here at my location in Grand Prairie, Tx......Thanks again for the post.
Thanks for your post, like Steve K and others you can explain things very well so that all of us LandLord's can understand it easily, i have had to Supplement feed a few times in the Past but hope that i don't have to this year weather permitting insects are flying right now here at my location in Grand Prairie, Tx......Thanks again for the post.
Pictures Taken with Canon Rebel XT Digital using a Sigma 50-500 Long Lens.
Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,
K.C.
klcretired@tx.rr.com
Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,
K.C.
klcretired@tx.rr.com
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Linda Reynolds
- Posts: 1308
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:33 pm
- Location: Adamsville, TN
Ronnie, Sue, and Kenny, thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words.
Sue, you and other coastal landladies such as Astrid and others are presented with a unique situation because of your location and because of the gulls. I do hope you can find a way to help your martins without conflict from the gulls.....It sounds as if you are on a good path. Fortunately, you do not often have to deal with icy conditions, experienced in other areas. Placing food on the porches or in cavities at colony sites like yours is possible. Unfortunately for folks in my area, we sometimes cannot lower or raise racks because of icy conditions, and need to rely upon a B&B type offering.
Many years ago, I was *trained* on this very Forum by some of the best, and most experienced landlords. My approach addresses the reality of the *need to feed* conditions more than the light-hearted fling crickets exercise. Ed Donath taught me well about the need, and shared his pioneer attempts at offering eggs. I will be Ever-Grateful to him for sharing his advice and experience.
I only wanted to share some of our experiences, experimentation and results with others hoping they would find their own way to help these wonderful birds when they need our help the most.
Much good luck is wished for you all (y'all) this 2008 season.
Sue, you and other coastal landladies such as Astrid and others are presented with a unique situation because of your location and because of the gulls. I do hope you can find a way to help your martins without conflict from the gulls.....It sounds as if you are on a good path. Fortunately, you do not often have to deal with icy conditions, experienced in other areas. Placing food on the porches or in cavities at colony sites like yours is possible. Unfortunately for folks in my area, we sometimes cannot lower or raise racks because of icy conditions, and need to rely upon a B&B type offering.
Many years ago, I was *trained* on this very Forum by some of the best, and most experienced landlords. My approach addresses the reality of the *need to feed* conditions more than the light-hearted fling crickets exercise. Ed Donath taught me well about the need, and shared his pioneer attempts at offering eggs. I will be Ever-Grateful to him for sharing his advice and experience.
I only wanted to share some of our experiences, experimentation and results with others hoping they would find their own way to help these wonderful birds when they need our help the most.
Much good luck is wished for you all (y'all) this 2008 season.
Ever-Grateful,
Linda
Linda
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John Barrow
- Posts: 982
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 4:12 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi / Sandia , Texas
Linda,
Thank you for your timely and good advice. Now is the time to be stocking up on crickets. Buying and keeping 1,000 crickets in the freezer is a cheap investment to help preserve a martin colony, and in my experience, the need for food seems to often occur at an inopportune time--like Good Friday of last season, when inexpensive crickets would be unobtainable for the next several days. I also strongly believe that every person who hosts martins will at some point during every year, possibly two, have a legitimate need to provide supplemental feeding. Many folks will have multiple occassions each season.
I would echo your observations that high tech equipment is not necessary to fling crickets--a plastic spoon works fine (although they do break and having some spares is essential). Martins trained to accept supplemental food will make the effort to "catch" it if a reasonable attempt to project it is made. Getting it 8-10 feet in the air is ususally adequate, and in many cases they will almost collide with the thrower to catch a bite. Last season we had a female who had lost her mate and was raising 3 nestlings by herself. We named her Eggmom, because anytime we would come out on the deck she would fly over beside us and hover, allowing us to toss her a piece of scrambled egg that she would then take to her gourd and feed her nestlings. Tosses were usually not more than 2 or 3 feet.
Your observation about platform feeding is certainly great advice. Achieving that allows martins to feed freely without burning valuable energy competing for a tossed piece of food. Surrounding structures also offer good spaces for platform feeding. I have fed on nearby roofs of structures, and I have posted pictures of martins feeding along side the street in front of my house in Port O'Connor, where there were so many starving martins that had migrated in, my bed and breakfast would not accomodate the demand.
The "street feeding" I have done has been under very controlled and urgent conditions--as a last alternative. My street ends in a cul de sac with limited vehicular traffic. At all times I am present watching for predators, such as cats. Your advice of being attuned to the sense of the area, and birds in the area, is imperative anytime one is engaged in feeding, because the frenzy of the martins while feeding distorts their ability to safeguard themselves by watching for hawks and other predators that might also be attracted to the frenzy. If there is any question about their safety, feeding should immediately stop until any danger is past.
Accomplishing successful supplemental feeding is a great achievement. While it can be quite a spectacle to observe, we should never lose track of the reality that we are feeding our friends at time of critical need. It should not become a form of entertainment for landlords, but rather, the foundation of a deeper intimacy between landlords and their colony.
Thank you again for the advice you have offered. It is great advice.
Thank you for your timely and good advice. Now is the time to be stocking up on crickets. Buying and keeping 1,000 crickets in the freezer is a cheap investment to help preserve a martin colony, and in my experience, the need for food seems to often occur at an inopportune time--like Good Friday of last season, when inexpensive crickets would be unobtainable for the next several days. I also strongly believe that every person who hosts martins will at some point during every year, possibly two, have a legitimate need to provide supplemental feeding. Many folks will have multiple occassions each season.
I would echo your observations that high tech equipment is not necessary to fling crickets--a plastic spoon works fine (although they do break and having some spares is essential). Martins trained to accept supplemental food will make the effort to "catch" it if a reasonable attempt to project it is made. Getting it 8-10 feet in the air is ususally adequate, and in many cases they will almost collide with the thrower to catch a bite. Last season we had a female who had lost her mate and was raising 3 nestlings by herself. We named her Eggmom, because anytime we would come out on the deck she would fly over beside us and hover, allowing us to toss her a piece of scrambled egg that she would then take to her gourd and feed her nestlings. Tosses were usually not more than 2 or 3 feet.
Your observation about platform feeding is certainly great advice. Achieving that allows martins to feed freely without burning valuable energy competing for a tossed piece of food. Surrounding structures also offer good spaces for platform feeding. I have fed on nearby roofs of structures, and I have posted pictures of martins feeding along side the street in front of my house in Port O'Connor, where there were so many starving martins that had migrated in, my bed and breakfast would not accomodate the demand.
The "street feeding" I have done has been under very controlled and urgent conditions--as a last alternative. My street ends in a cul de sac with limited vehicular traffic. At all times I am present watching for predators, such as cats. Your advice of being attuned to the sense of the area, and birds in the area, is imperative anytime one is engaged in feeding, because the frenzy of the martins while feeding distorts their ability to safeguard themselves by watching for hawks and other predators that might also be attracted to the frenzy. If there is any question about their safety, feeding should immediately stop until any danger is past.
Accomplishing successful supplemental feeding is a great achievement. While it can be quite a spectacle to observe, we should never lose track of the reality that we are feeding our friends at time of critical need. It should not become a form of entertainment for landlords, but rather, the foundation of a deeper intimacy between landlords and their colony.
Thank you again for the advice you have offered. It is great advice.
~~TEAMED WITH A MARTIN GODDESS~~
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
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Linda Reynolds
- Posts: 1308
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:33 pm
- Location: Adamsville, TN
Donnie, a special thanks to you for your exceptionally kind words. I am blushing and swiping one of my shoes. You are just too complimentary. Thank you for your kindness......
Ever-Grateful,
Linda
Linda
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phillip26r
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:52 pm
- Location: Tennessee/Lexington
Thanks for the good advice, Linda.
I am anxiously awaiting your scout report! Lexington is not that much farther north than Adamsville!
I am anxiously awaiting your scout report! Lexington is not that much farther north than Adamsville!
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Linda Reynolds
- Posts: 1308
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:33 pm
- Location: Adamsville, TN
Ronnie, Sue, and Kenny, thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words.
Sue, you and other coastal landladies such as Astrid and others are presented with a unique situation because of your location and because of the gulls. I do hope you can find a way to help your martins without conflict from the gulls.....It sounds as if you are on a good path. Fortunately, you do not often have to deal with icy conditions, experienced in other areas. Placing food on the porches or in cavities at colony sites like yours is possible. Unfortunately for folks in my area, we sometimes cannot lower or raise racks because of icy conditions, and need to rely upon a B&B type offering.
Many years ago, I was *trained* on this very Forum by some of the best, and most experienced landlords. My approach addresses the reality of the *need to feed* conditions more than the light-hearted fling crickets exercise. Ed Donath taught me well about the need, and shared his pioneer attempts at offering eggs. I will be Ever-Grateful to him for sharing his advice and experience.
I only wanted to share some of our experiences, experimentation and results with others hoping they would find their own way to help these wonderful birds when they need our help the most.
Much good luck is wished for you all (y'all) this 2008 season.
Sue, you and other coastal landladies such as Astrid and others are presented with a unique situation because of your location and because of the gulls. I do hope you can find a way to help your martins without conflict from the gulls.....It sounds as if you are on a good path. Fortunately, you do not often have to deal with icy conditions, experienced in other areas. Placing food on the porches or in cavities at colony sites like yours is possible. Unfortunately for folks in my area, we sometimes cannot lower or raise racks because of icy conditions, and need to rely upon a B&B type offering.
Many years ago, I was *trained* on this very Forum by some of the best, and most experienced landlords. My approach addresses the reality of the *need to feed* conditions more than the light-hearted fling crickets exercise. Ed Donath taught me well about the need, and shared his pioneer attempts at offering eggs. I will be Ever-Grateful to him for sharing his advice and experience.
I only wanted to share some of our experiences, experimentation and results with others hoping they would find their own way to help these wonderful birds when they need our help the most.
Much good luck is wished for you all (y'all) this 2008 season.
Ever-Grateful,
Linda
Linda
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Linda Reynolds
- Posts: 1308
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:33 pm
- Location: Adamsville, TN
Phillip, I know that you are located close to us. I tried to email or private message you last season.
If you are ever in our area, please feel free to stop in and visit. We always enjoy and love entertaining martin fans........
If you are ever in our area, please feel free to stop in and visit. We always enjoy and love entertaining martin fans........
Ever-Grateful,
Linda
Linda
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Linda Reynolds
- Posts: 1308
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:33 pm
- Location: Adamsville, TN
John, a special thanks for your kind words. You were expertly able to articulate what I wanted to say, but you said it so much better. Thanks for the assistance in delivering the message.
When martins are starving, and so stressed from migration, or bad weather conditions, supplemental feeding is NOT fun, it is a serious job and sometimes a full time job for days and days....perhaps weeks.
Even after the martins learn to use a B&B, if weather conditions are bad, the trays need to be replenished or replaced often due to freezing temps or because the offerings are covered with snow and ice. We are fortunate in that we have designed a homemade B&B that allows us to remove old trays and immediately replace with new, using a colander style with drainage.
Hourly, scrambled eggs and crickets previously offered can be quickly re-hydrated after experiencing snow or ice covering by simply placing them into a bowl of warm water and draining before offering again.
Most Texans or deep South landlords do not have to deal with these dramatic conditions, but some of us in the mid-south and especially in northern states certainly need to consider this option.
Thanks again, John, for your velvet words of explanation..........
When martins are starving, and so stressed from migration, or bad weather conditions, supplemental feeding is NOT fun, it is a serious job and sometimes a full time job for days and days....perhaps weeks.
Even after the martins learn to use a B&B, if weather conditions are bad, the trays need to be replenished or replaced often due to freezing temps or because the offerings are covered with snow and ice. We are fortunate in that we have designed a homemade B&B that allows us to remove old trays and immediately replace with new, using a colander style with drainage.
Hourly, scrambled eggs and crickets previously offered can be quickly re-hydrated after experiencing snow or ice covering by simply placing them into a bowl of warm water and draining before offering again.
Most Texans or deep South landlords do not have to deal with these dramatic conditions, but some of us in the mid-south and especially in northern states certainly need to consider this option.
Thanks again, John, for your velvet words of explanation..........
Ever-Grateful,
Linda
Linda
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frankarendt
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 4:03 pm
- Location: tn,ashland city
Hi linnee!!! Frank arendt here!!!How nice to see a fellow Long Islander so sucessful!! Had 36 pair with 152 fledged!!!Wonderful to see you and Paul are well!!! Kindest personal regards....frank
Landloard for 5 years,sucessful colonies,maybe 36pair fledged 152 young
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phillip26r
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:52 pm
- Location: Tennessee/Lexington
Linda, I am in your area some in the summertime. I'll be sure to look you up!Linda Reynolds-TN wrote:Phillip, I know that you are located close to us. I tried to email or private message you last season.
If you are ever in our area, please feel free to stop in and visit. We always enjoy and love entertaining martin fans........
I am a Martin fan, but I'm also a fan of the unanimously-number-1-in-both-polls Memphis Tigers! Just had to get that in there....
Go Tigers Go!!!