Storm damage in NE states & update

[ToyinPA]

I haven't posted much, been dealing with sickness since mid-January. Ended up in the hospital twice, 5 days with the Flu, bad case of bronchitis. 1 day starting of pneumonia. Can't shake the chronic coughing. So far I currently have 3 ASY Males. Had an ASY Female here for 1 day. She is super dark. Actually thought she was male at first. My Alpha male took a starling to the ground a few days ago. A flock of 4 starlings came in & tried to get in the houses. My husband shot 2 of them.

We had bad storms late last night into early this morning with major gusting winds, pouring rain & hail. Some areas had tornadoes & micro-bursts. I know OH, PA, WV, VA, MD, DE, NJ & NY got hit. Not sure what other states in the NE did. Prayers go out to those who had storm damage. I hope everyone is OK. Also those in southern states that got slammed with bad storms & tornadoes. Cold winds are driving the temps down.. Last check at 3:00 PM it was 43/WC of 37.

Raymond Gingerich in Dover, DE posted/photos, on the PMCA FB page, that many of his martin houses were blown over, poles snapped, houses tossed 25 feet into a pond, or damaged. I'm sure he will need help getting them repaired & back up. I don't have a FB account, so I can't reply to his post, so I thought I'd post here & let everyone know. Ray sorry for the loss. I hope you can get them fixed & back up soon.

I'm sure others in the storms path had some damaged as well. PA took a bit hit with damage to houses, cars, trees, etc. Many are without power. The storm hit my area right at midnight. I turned the outside lights on just as the storm started & watched my houses swaying. Lightening lit up the sky over & over, pouring blowing rain, then the hail came. Thankfully the lord was watching over us, as the houses remained intact. My large Honeysuckle & metal arch didn't fair so well. Storm took it over, bending the heavy angle iron legs. I would have lowered the Martin houses before dark, but the storm looked like it would split & miss us.

Today we had more high gusting winds, so we lowered the houses half way. Winds 20-30mph gusting to 40mph plus. I tried to flip crickets, but the wind kept blowing them away. They caught a few. I placed crickets in the 3 cavities in hopes they'll find them.

I wish those on the FB page would post here, as many do not have FB accounts, so we miss a lot, not only their posts, but interaction with other landlords.

Toy in PA

[rrmartins]

I’m not even on FB.
Hope you fell better!!

[Hanover Bill]

Hi Toy;

Sorry to hear about your illness and the bad weather up there. You just can't seem to catch a break. I lucked out with the storms, just a big blow for a short time and then it moved on, no damage.

When your luck finally turns around I think you are due to win the lottery. LOL.

Hope you make a speedy recovery. Sending prayers and good wishes your way.

Hanover Bill.

[ToyinPA]

Hi Toy;

Sorry to hear about your illness and the bad weather up there. You just can't seem to catch a break. I lucked out with the storms, just a big blow for a short time and then it moved on, no damage.

When your luck finally turns around I think you are due to win the lottery. LOL.

Hope you make a speedy recovery. Sending prayers and good wishes your way.

Hanover Bill.

HI Bill:

Thanks. I'd be happy to get rid of this hacking cough than win the lottery. The lottery would be nice too, but this darn coughing is never ending & exhausting.

I currently have 4 ASY Males & 1 Female. She looks to be ASY, but on the light side & has a light mark on her head. I had a SY Female that showed up in 2015. Her chest was white, so we called her Snow White. This female reminds me of her & she went to the same cavity. Had 2 other females stop, spend the night & then they moved on north. Counts are right on for the date.

Looks like PA is to get lots of rain starting today into Monday. Possible T-Storms, but not as bad as the other day. I'll be flipping crickets. Tried to put some in cavities & they wouldn't touch them. Won't tray feed either. Brats!! LOL.

Another starling just bit the dust....caught it in the wood nest box trap.

Best wishes for a great season.

Toy in PA

[Tengai]

Hope you feel better!
Here in Townsend DE both my poles snapped at the base
Luckily no martins were injured I temporarily raised both before the martins returned
Both are 1 pole section shorter and I only raise them 3/4 of the way
Need to get new pole sections

[Doug Martin - PA]

Wishing you the best Toy.

Doug