Well, even without "my" martins being banded I know they have been here before... It is in the low 30's today and the pair that showed up on the 20th have not been active at all, in fact I thought that maybe they had left until I started talking to myself out on the sidewalk. Out they came and flew right at me hovering and flying low circles. I went into town and bought some meal worms and crickets, telling them as I pulled out of the drive I would be back with food. Apparently, they understood. When we came back an ASY male was sitting on the feeding tray, (also where we put the egg shells later in the season) as I walked out with their food two more came out of the SG's. I flipped a couple up with my plastic spoon and snap snap...just what they had been waiting for. I flipped a few more just for good measure and then dumped some into the tray and stepped back. The ASY female landed first then the boys. It is so good knowing I can keep them healthy and fed until it warms back up I just can't stop smiling...
Visit here this quiet nook, as songbirds rest their wing, hearken softly, whisper low, and perchance, you'll hear them sing.
Jewel, Congratulations on your returns and SUPER CONGRATULATIONS AND KUDOS to you on your feeding efforts.
Your story documents so many other stories of landlords and ladies that have offered feeding and then have the martins remember the drill. Since 2003, we have offered supplemental/emergency feeding to our earliest arrivals as well as when the temps, wind, weather conditions prohibited or limited natural feeding conditions.
This is a great post, and I hope others in the north will do all that they can to ensure the survival of their oldest, most valuable birds.
You should be smiling, and giving yourself a big pat on the back for doing all that you can to insure the health and well-being of your colony. My hat is off to you.............
I hope 2008 is one of your best years ever..........
That's awesome Jewel. I wish my birds would trust me enough. I cet get just a few feet away and take photos, but that's about it. And not during the nesting cycle.
martins being banded I know they have been here before... It is in the low 30's today and the pair that showed up on the 20th have not been active at all, in fact I thought that maybe they had left until I started talking to myself out on the sidewalk. Out they came and flew right at me hovering and flying low circles. I went into town and bought some meal worms and crickets, telling them as I pulled out of the drive I would be back with food. Apparently, they understood. When we came back an ASY male was sitting on the feeding tray, (also where we put the egg shells later in the season) as I walked out with their food two more came out of the SG's. I flipped a couple up with my plastic spoon and snap snap...just what they had been waiting for. I flipped a few more just for good measure and then dumped some into the tray and stepped back. The ASY female landed first then the boys. It is so good knowing I can keep them healthy and fed until it warms back up I just can't stop smiling... 