You know ,I read all the horror stories of weather related problems to PM colonies,to numerous to mention, in the midwest and northern states and how PM population is down in certain areas.
I read somewhere where western Canada was having a comeback with increasing colonies and populations. Mary Dawnsong is successful with her colony in Michigan while others in Michigan are having problems and populations are down.
It can't all be cold weather related as Canada's comeback and Mary's success would indicate cold weather is not a problem when conditions are controlled with good management.
So then why the population declines and colonization problems, is this purely a cylical thing and is it predictable?
dick
Area Decline,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
No Dick, its the rain that was causing all the deaths in the NE, as the temps were normal. Martins eat flying insects, and these insects do not fly on windy rainy days. Martin deaths are caused by lack of food which includes temps, rain, and wind. There may even be some other factors but we know that those 3 are important.
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starling shooter
- Posts: 461
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:43 pm
- Location: Central MO
Folks who actively manage their sites seems to have thriving, robust coloneis.
Percentage wise, there just are not that many folks who manage. The garden analogy I think is right on. If you throw a seed on the ground, what are your chances at success? But, if you till the ground, water, fertilize, weed, control pests, you have a bountiful harvest.
Percentage wise, there just are not that many folks who manage. The garden analogy I think is right on. If you throw a seed on the ground, what are your chances at success? But, if you till the ground, water, fertilize, weed, control pests, you have a bountiful harvest.
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Dick
I've long wondered if Michigan populations, and some other northern areas, are declining because of a lack of good housing. Folks in Alberta use much less aluminum housing.
Pure speculation, but the decline in MI began with the introduction of shallow aluminum housing in the late 1960s -- Trio's six by six compartments a savior at keeping out starlings and probably saved the species from near extinction throughout North America -- but I suspect the poor breeding productivity of this housing does not allow northern populations to bounce back after weather-related die offs, which occur more often in northern states.
It may be much more complicated. There's even been mention here of fewer dragonflies in Michigan because of an invasion of some type of foreign mussel (forget its name). There's much we don't understand. There are population declines in parts of the South as well. But we know better quality housing, plus supplemental feeding, produces more birds.
John Miller
I've long wondered if Michigan populations, and some other northern areas, are declining because of a lack of good housing. Folks in Alberta use much less aluminum housing.
Pure speculation, but the decline in MI began with the introduction of shallow aluminum housing in the late 1960s -- Trio's six by six compartments a savior at keeping out starlings and probably saved the species from near extinction throughout North America -- but I suspect the poor breeding productivity of this housing does not allow northern populations to bounce back after weather-related die offs, which occur more often in northern states.
It may be much more complicated. There's even been mention here of fewer dragonflies in Michigan because of an invasion of some type of foreign mussel (forget its name). There's much we don't understand. There are population declines in parts of the South as well. But we know better quality housing, plus supplemental feeding, produces more birds.
John Miller
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CUL Lou~Mich
John. You probably mean the Zebra Mussell? I hadn't heard the reports you are referring to, but this might be the one you are thinking about. As for the housing being the problem. I'm not sure, but I know Mary has all Gourds. Believe they are all natural, but can't remember. I also know there are waaaaaayyy more Aluminum houses than anything else. I just wish if this were the problem, the PMs would move into my Wooden house, or my Mostly Natural gourds. I'm afraid a lot of the problem is very few folks have internet, and know that they have to feed the PMs Crickets, Grasshoppers, Scrambled eggs, or Mealworms. I personally think this is a huge play in the survival of Mary's birds. She has supplementally fed for a few years now. CUL Lou
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Kyle Gregoire
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:31 pm
- Location: Vermont/Alburg
Well Dick, Its all a matter of perspective.Here in northern VT this morning it was 39 degrees with the wind howling. I did work outside a little with long johns, a full ski doo suit ,toque and gloves. This following 12 days of constant rain with not one ray of sunshine. There are not any bugs out. No mosquitos, deer flys, black flies or whatever. The tree swallows have survived but i wonder how. We are basically 28 days from another biblical flood. This is not much out of the ordinary for this region, which i have renamed as Ice Station Zebra. If you watch the weather channel you will see it is warmer in Alaska AND western Canada than here. The scout arrival maps match the jet streams dip( viewed on the weather channel) that it takes about mid country. The subbies dont usually get here until about may 30 on a good year, and if you dont get them nesting by june 15, your toast. This leaves about a 15 day window of opportunity. Basically impossible. If anybody tells you you have to move here, do yourself a favor and shoot yourself in the head. Its pretty bad. As far as zebra mussels. Oh yeah, weve got tons of them in Lake Champlain. The lake is full. They are small snail like creatures that live underwater like barnacles. And i wonder how they can affect dragonfly population? So Dick I believe the weather is what is affecting the martins, not management. And PS, if you want to really experience something special, come up here about the middle of january, but bring a hat and boots when you come. You guys are luckier than than you know.