After a long week of feeding almost a hundred Martins every day a couple of times a day we will get above 60 with sun today. That seems to be the magic number around here where insects abound.
This has been another typical Martin killing week of weather here in Western PA. Once again we have made it through to better weather.
I don't know how many mealworms, eggs and crickets I have fed but it was many. We did have a few hours in the past week where the weather was good from a warm front. But that was quickly replaced by rain and cold. Last night was the second night below freezing and we hit 26 degrees for a low.
Hopefully we can get back to normal around here. Egg laying at my site was delayed by this cold spell but the nests are ready to go.
Sounds like the subbies will be pouring in to the area this week.
Good job to all those that got their birds through this once again.
Doug
Finally.....back to normal today.
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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j6745l@gmail.com
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:35 am
- Location: Raynham MA. 02767
- Martin Colony History: 2016, put Troyer pole with 6 units Horizontal with Conley 11 Tunnels.
Had some visits (two sittings) last year. A visit this year 2017.
Sounds like you've been a busy man...Doug Martin - PA wrote:After a long week of feeding almost a hundred Martins every day a couple of times a day we will get above 60 with sun today. That seems to be the magic number around here where insects abound.
This has been another typical Martin killing week of weather here in Western PA. Once again we have made it through to better weather.
I don't know how many mealworms, eggs and crickets I have fed but it was many. We did have a few hours in the past week where the weather was good from a warm front. But that was quickly replaced by rain and cold. Last night was the second night below freezing and we hit 26 degrees for a low.
Hopefully we can get back to normal around here. Egg laying at my site was delayed by this cold spell but the nests are ready to go.
Sounds like the subbies will be pouring in to the area this week.
Good job to all those that got their birds through this once again.
Doug
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John Evans
- Posts: 323
- Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2014 3:56 pm
- Location: Cocoa Beach Florida
Doug, congratulations. We too here have been experiencing non martin friendly weather this week, although not extreme. Our birds have been able to feed everyday and we have eggs in a few gourds. Heard dawnsong earlier this week.
Most martins here have been in survival mode and most nesting will be late again this year. No sign of male subbies here yet.
Going to make a note of the later season and see if it correlates with next year's first arrivals.
Hope us up in the eastern north recover.
John
Most martins here have been in survival mode and most nesting will be late again this year. No sign of male subbies here yet.
Going to make a note of the later season and see if it correlates with next year's first arrivals.
Hope us up in the eastern north recover.
John
PMCA Member
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ToyinPA
- Posts: 2227
- Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
- Location: PA/Avis
- Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.
We finally had sun & temps hit 65 today. Temps dropped to 30 last night & we're in a freeze warning again tonight. We have a few days of nice weather coming, with temps in the low to mid 60's, & then 2 days of rain again starting Friday.
Only 2 nests started here so far. They've been waiting for this weather to turn around. Next week things should move into full swing, as temps get to a more normal in the 70's.
Toy in PA
Only 2 nests started here so far. They've been waiting for this weather to turn around. Next week things should move into full swing, as temps get to a more normal in the 70's.
Toy in PA
PMCA Member
It is actually going to hit 70 today in Columbus. First day in the last 10 that is a decent temperature and not crazy windy. We also only have a few nests started. Funny, I was feeding my fish at the pond last evening and the Martins were diving on me thinking I was throwing scrambled eggs. So back to the kitchen I went. They should be getting real food today finally.