In Cold Kentucky

[beverly burton 18]

We have one male that has toughed it out over past 4 to 5 days in cold temps at night and not that warm in day. Today we did hit mid 50 he came in tonight and sit and chirped awhile. We saw another in the air but did not land. We are now in last week of March not our typical weather. I just hope and prayer that the rest of our colony will come on in. We had 24 pair last year. and had pairs here by this time last year. I am a little worried something could of happen to some of ours through all this horrific weather. My son lives 5 miles away and only has 8 gourds and today he had 4 fly in. He had seen one flying around for couple of days but today they came in. He is not sure they will stay but they have come.
I had weathered this long cold snowy winter here in Ky to just hear my martins come in and sing for us by now. I quess just hurrying up and wait to see if they will come.

[Larry A Kronemeyer]

Hi beverly,
You folks down there have had it tough this winter..we went thru some nasty stuff on our way down and back to Florida last month. All I could think about on that trip was how the martins were doing.
Anyway, look outside in the morning and see if some came in late tonight. It happened here and a friend reported seeing martins in so.Illinois today.....that was a strong south wind they were riding on!
I know you'll have a great year!
Judy

[Jim 1990]

I have one male that has been toughing it out also. 15 degrees at night and 30s for the high. I have been flipping crickets and eggs and warmers at night.

I do not know if this is the same martin that showed up early last year and was all by him self for a week until the others showed up . He sets on the rack then flies away for little while then comes back I am not sure if he is out looking to see where the other birds are or what he is doing as he will not find any bugs flying in this cold .It was 44 today. He look pretty good after eating and the cold wind calmed down . Forecast is 50 tomorrow.

[KevinS]

Glad to hear from another in Kentucky, still waiting here in Frankfort. Good luck and better weather soon!

[beverly burton 18]

Hi folks my brave singing little male must of got in touch with a few friends. Yesterdy warmed up into the 50's Yesterday afternoon we had 2 females and 2 if not 3 males came in. They were healthy looking flying and chirping. I got up this mornig to find 5 on the gourds. and 2 in the air. at 10:30 It appeared that some had done paired as I had a couple of male/female sitting together In front of the gourd opening. They were there at 8 AM and I just came in and they are all out there flying chirping going off coming back and appear in good shape. I hope that this is the start of our martins coming back and this weather is ready to change for better. I quess I just got a little worried but the winter has been horrible for almost all States.

[beverly burton 18]

Glad to hear from another in Kentucky, still waiting here in Frankfort. Good luck and better weather soon!

Hi Kevin. from what folks are telling me in our area is that they are behind schedule. maybe that is a good thing as cold as it has been. I think this week might head some are way.

[KevinS]

I totally agree Beverly, I seen a couple of wasps crawling on my deck, but no bugs in the air yet.