Weather question

[cajun]

I have a dilemma here at Shan gri la. I left here yesterday at 6pm and had seen all of my martins at one time or another during the day. 2 Asy pairs 2 sy pairs and 1 sy male. Last nite and this am we had some lightning gusty winds and abut 6 to 8 inches of rain. Today I have not seen any of the sy martins and they have eggs 1 egg in 1 nest and 2 eggs in the other nest. The single Sy male has not been seen today. I have 1 ASY female who has 5 eggs but her ASY male has not been seen today. The other ASY pair I have seen the male he sits on the gourd and on the perches but His mate the ASY female with 3 eggs has not been seen today. Could they be feeding as the rain didn't quit until about 11am? I find this disturbing as the pairs are usually together.
The one ASY male went to the gourd and stared in it for a few minutes but would not go in, then he took off. I went and let down the gourds and trio minis and the nests were wet but not soaked.
Any ideas???
Thanks Tim

[DebA]

Hi, Tim. Yes they very well could be feeding. After a big rain they will be hungry and bugs seem to get out in droves too. I think that scenario is more likely than 3/4ths of a colony being wiped out. Chin up.
Deb

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

They most likely will return. If they do not return, it could be a predator problem like a racoon. Do you have a predator guard? A snake most likely would still be inside the housing, it would also swallow the eggs, but look real good for a snake if the martins do not return.

I hope that they return, good luck

[cajun]

I have some that showed back up, but the ASY female with the 3 eggs is yet to show herself. I fear that she was displaced or hit by lighting. Her ASY male is now sitting at the gourds entrance calling either for her or a new mate. Nature can be rough. There is also a lone Sy male that has not showed up yet.
Mr Emil I have snake traps with the bird netting on both poles. I waited till I was sure I had martins before I put it up. I know we have egg eater snakes and chicken snakes. We also have a very large speckled king snake that I have let live on multiple occasions, he has been here for years. I have a dog that pretty much keep the coons, opossums, and cats out. Thanks Mr Emil!

[art]

We have had cold, wet weather here in southwest Kansas for the past three/four days. My 16-20 martins were present before this miserable cold front parked on top of us. Last night a light frost on the windshield. Yesterday I witnessed many birds huddled on the downwind sides of the housing. Today we are warmer in the upper 60's and they predict warming through the week. After work this afternoon and again this evening I've seen only two birds. Will they return? Did they head south? We've not experienced such a cold late April since I established my colony so don't know what to expect. Any encouraging comments appreciated.

[Kyler]

Yes we have cold raining and even some snow! During that time I never saw a martin anywhere. Today got up to about 65 and I saw my martins again I was setting outside tonight and never saw them come in I just figured because of the rain for about 3 days. They were just still out feeding.

Art,
I'm located in Colby Kansas. I'm glad to here someone else is close to me. Doesn't this weather suck!