SAD SEASON !!! :(( Canton, S.D.

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
Baglady
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Apr 30, 2006 8:53 pm
Location: South Dakota/Canton

Anyone else have trouble in Canton, S.D.?

Them poor birds went through H---! The weather was so nasty, 50-60mph winds, raining day in, day out, 30* for the lows! We had 2 pair, after 2 weeks one pair flew the coop, the other pair hung in for a couple more days,then they flew too,,,I was so excited to see them come back after 4 days! We were cleaning out a sparrow nest, and they both flew into the house while we had it lowered! That's how exhausted they were! But, we knew they were in tough shape,,,they both died that night...didn't realize they had come back home to die......
No sign of the other pair at all!
The weather straightened out the next day!
Sometimes I really hate this state!!!
My house stands empty. :cry:
2011-2pair,5eggs,5 babies!
2010-2pair-1 pair flew the coop after 2 weeks,1pair flew about 1 week later, gone for 4 days came back and died overnite! :(
Way to COLD 30*,rainy,windy,miserable!
2009- 2pair,3eggs,3fledged
2008-3pair,5eggs,5fledged
Top
John Miller
Posts: 4866
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO

Martins really risk all to breed just as far north as they possibly can, and I guess some years mother nature really knocks them down.

Hang in there, and keep offering housing.

John M
Top
Baglady
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Apr 30, 2006 8:53 pm
Location: South Dakota/Canton

John Miller wrote:Martins really risk all to breed just as far north as they possibly can, and I guess some years mother nature really knocks them down.

Hang in there, and keep offering housing.

John M
Hangin' in there, concentrating on my Gold finches,Gross beaks, Cardinals,Orioles,Wrens,Flickers,Woodpeckers and of course my Hummingbirds!!! :grin:
The martin house is still up and clean,,,just in case there are some lost souls still out there!!!
Gonna get one of those houses with the the rope for raising and lowering for next year and a couple decoys!
Taking a negative and gonna make it positive! :wink:
2011-2pair,5eggs,5 babies!
2010-2pair-1 pair flew the coop after 2 weeks,1pair flew about 1 week later, gone for 4 days came back and died overnite! :(
Way to COLD 30*,rainy,windy,miserable!
2009- 2pair,3eggs,3fledged
2008-3pair,5eggs,5fledged
Top
april57
Posts: 232
Joined: Fri May 29, 2009 1:58 pm
Location: Wizard Lake Alberta

Have you included supplemental feeding? We have had horrendous weather, snow storm just a week ago now plus 20C poor martins. I did get some frozen crickets and put them in the cavities and they did eat. I think that saved our only 2 pair and now we have one more pair a ASY-F and a SY-M joined up so 3 pair total. They did leave for about 2 days and sure they roasted somewhere with other martins to keep warm. We live in Northern Canada so again it shows how far north they do go.
I would be playing your Dawn song 24/7 just in case some are flying by that does also work even in the rain when they are looking for shelter
Take care
April
2007 none
2008 few landed
2009 - 2 pair - 9 eggs- 9 fledged
2010 - 1ASY pair and 4SY pair total 10 bird
2011 first ASY pair May 06
2012 first pair arrived May 01, May 21 total 10 pairs 49 babies
2013 May 04 martins 2 pair May 19 total 12 pair
2014 May 08 2 pair May 12 almost full 10 pair
Top
april57
Posts: 232
Joined: Fri May 29, 2009 1:58 pm
Location: Wizard Lake Alberta

Our condo house also raises and lowers on a 16 Ft pole and a winch. We can get the heavy house up and down in 5 minutes.
April
2007 none
2008 few landed
2009 - 2 pair - 9 eggs- 9 fledged
2010 - 1ASY pair and 4SY pair total 10 bird
2011 first ASY pair May 06
2012 first pair arrived May 01, May 21 total 10 pairs 49 babies
2013 May 04 martins 2 pair May 19 total 12 pair
2014 May 08 2 pair May 12 almost full 10 pair
Top
Baglady
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Apr 30, 2006 8:53 pm
Location: South Dakota/Canton

april57 wrote:Have you included supplemental feeding? We have had horrendous weather, snow storm just a week ago now plus 20C poor martins. I did get some frozen crickets and put them in the cavities and they did eat. I think that saved our only 2 pair and now we have one more pair a ASY-F and a SY-M joined up so 3 pair total. They did leave for about 2 days and sure they roasted somewhere with other martins to keep warm. We live in Northern Canada so again it shows how far north they do go.
I would be playing your Dawn song 24/7 just in case some are flying by that does also work even in the rain when they are looking for shelter
Take care
April
I put meal worms and egg shells in every cavity that was vacant! And believe me they were hungry,,,they ate and ate! But they still fled the high winds and cold! No predators,,,3 labs that patrol everyday,and night,, the whole thing was so bizarre! But,,I will try the song!!!! And the frozen crickets too! Thank you so much for the info! Trust me ,,,I will not give up!!! :grin:
2011-2pair,5eggs,5 babies!
2010-2pair-1 pair flew the coop after 2 weeks,1pair flew about 1 week later, gone for 4 days came back and died overnite! :(
Way to COLD 30*,rainy,windy,miserable!
2009- 2pair,3eggs,3fledged
2008-3pair,5eggs,5fledged
Top
Baglady
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Apr 30, 2006 8:53 pm
Location: South Dakota/Canton

april57 wrote:Our condo house also raises and lowers on a 16 Ft pole and a winch. We can get the heavy house up and down in 5 minutes.
April
That's exactly what I want,,,,quick access! I love your picture,,that's the house I've seen. I'm going to make it better ,,, take a negative and make it positive ,,,dawn song, better house,, frozen crickets,, decoys,, and a lot of love for PURPLE MARTINS,,, :grin: I've even looked at the owl and hawk barriers that go around the house and the coon and snake barrier for the bottom! Even though I have never had that problem,,,I don't need anymore right now LOL !!! I keep putting meal worms in there,,,just in case!,,,If not,,I know damn well I tried my best! :wink:
2011-2pair,5eggs,5 babies!
2010-2pair-1 pair flew the coop after 2 weeks,1pair flew about 1 week later, gone for 4 days came back and died overnite! :(
Way to COLD 30*,rainy,windy,miserable!
2009- 2pair,3eggs,3fledged
2008-3pair,5eggs,5fledged
Top
april57
Posts: 232
Joined: Fri May 29, 2009 1:58 pm
Location: Wizard Lake Alberta

There is a plan for this house from the Purple Martin conservatory in Mulhurst Bay Alberta. They will send them to you then your sons can make the house with the pole and winch...it is a strong house and the martins love it. For next year a winter project or they will send you the kit done just put it together. A great xmas gift for you!
PLAY your dawn song NOW and perhaps you can still attrack some. I also premake all my nests. Once you have some let the song go as they will attrack more on their own. Perserverance and love will work!
Take care
April
2007 none
2008 few landed
2009 - 2 pair - 9 eggs- 9 fledged
2010 - 1ASY pair and 4SY pair total 10 bird
2011 first ASY pair May 06
2012 first pair arrived May 01, May 21 total 10 pairs 49 babies
2013 May 04 martins 2 pair May 19 total 12 pair
2014 May 08 2 pair May 12 almost full 10 pair
Top
Bob Buskas
Posts: 600
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2003 8:08 pm
Location: Wetaskiwin Alberta, Canada

Hello Baglady, My name is Bob Buskas from Alberta please take a look at my website, I think I can help you get your colony going. http:www.wtc.ab.ca/northernskys/ Please call me if you need anything. You would love the North Star house, and so will your Martins.
Bob Buskas, Alberta, Canada (The Northern Sky's Colony) Supplimental feeding is the key during bad weather, but you must train them to feed ahead of time.
Top
Baglady
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Apr 30, 2006 8:53 pm
Location: South Dakota/Canton

Bob Buskas wrote:Hello Baglady, My name is Bob Buskas from Alberta please take a look at my website, I think I can help you get your colony going. http:www.wtc.ab.ca/northernskys/ Please call me if you need anything. You would love the North Star house, and so will your Martins.
I just visited your site and I sent you an email , Thanks!
2011-2pair,5eggs,5 babies!
2010-2pair-1 pair flew the coop after 2 weeks,1pair flew about 1 week later, gone for 4 days came back and died overnite! :(
Way to COLD 30*,rainy,windy,miserable!
2009- 2pair,3eggs,3fledged
2008-3pair,5eggs,5fledged
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Purple Martin Forum”