Help Grounded Martin

Todd Wright · Mon Mar 09, 2015 5:09 pm

I came home from work and found a grounded Martin sitting in the rain. I got it and put it in the a box and have tried to feed it crickets, eggs, and meal worms but so far it just sits in the corner of the box. If I remember from a post years back there is a rehabber in Lindale Tx- does anyone have her contact info or any rehabber in the Longview-Tyler TX area.

Louise Chambers · Mon Mar 09, 2015 5:36 pm

Todd, they will not feed on their own, in rehab situation they have to be force fed. Try google for finding rehab - I am looking too.

You can check your county on this list, or for the nearest rehab facility that is close to you. http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/rehab/list/

Todd Wright · Mon Mar 09, 2015 6:02 pm

Louise, I just talked to Karen Montalvo who is a songbird rehabber in New Summerfield Texas. I am going to try to get it through the night and she has another lady in Henderson Texas that helps her that I will take the bird to tomorrow.

Louise Chambers · Mon Mar 09, 2015 6:09 pm

That's, great, Todd - thanks for keeping us updated. We'll think good thoughts for the martin. All the rain after the cold and snow is just too much. We've had 3 inches in two days, with little feeding for the martins, but think it's about over now. Boy, will we have plenty of flying insects when it warms up a bit!

KathyF · Mon Mar 09, 2015 6:10 pm

Todd Wright wrote:Louise, I just talked to Karen Montalvo who is a songbird rehabber in New Summerfield Texas. I am going to try to get it through the night and she has another lady in Henderson Texas that helps her that I will take the bird to tomorrow.

Yay! Thank you, Todd for going the extra mile!

JohnnyD · Mon Mar 09, 2015 6:26 pm

Her name is Beverly Grage: 903-882-7480 or (903) 316-4848...Good luck!

Todd Wright · Mon Mar 09, 2015 6:34 pm

Johnny,
I talked to Beverly and she rehabs raptors, she told me about Karen.

Todd Wright · Mon Mar 09, 2015 9:40 pm

I just went out to the garage to check on the martin, we had him in a box with a heating pad covered with a towel and turned some crickets lose in the box with some meal worms and scrambled egg. Last check we gave him water as the rehabber told me to do with water on the finger. Over the top of the box we draped a couple of towels over it with a gap to let in some light in- the rehabber told me they will possibly eat on their own if they have some light. When I just went to check on him a peaked into the box much to my surprise the box was empty, I called my wife to come help me find him and after a long search I spotted him happy and sitting on top of the fluorescent light. We set a plate of meal worms and scrambled eggs in the middle of the garage and if he looks well in the morning I will open the garage door and let him return to his normal habitat.

Louise Chambers · Tue Mar 10, 2015 7:49 am

That's a nice report! Before you open the garage, try to make sure he can fly well, not just hop from place to place. If you decide he's not flying well enough to release, you'll have easier time recapturing him in a building, not outside. Let us know how it goes.

Todd Wright · Tue Mar 10, 2015 8:00 am

Morning Update: Well good news here I went out to the garage and walked up to where the martin was perched he made three circles flying inside the garage and he looked strong. I opened up the garage and he sat for a few seconds looking out and then he took off and rejoined the rest of the Martins. I guess he just needed warmed up and a little drying time and rest, I am very happy because when I first brought him in I really didn't expect him to make it.

Louise Chambers · Tue Mar 10, 2015 8:25 am

Hooray! Sometimes that's all they need, warmed up and dried off. How nice to start the day with a happy ending

Dave Reynolds · Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:24 am

Todd ----

Louise Chambers wrote:Hooray! Sometimes that's all they need, warmed up and dried off. How nice to start the day with a happy ending

Great story.......

Dave

Matt F. · Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:39 am

Great work Todd!
Definitely a great start to the day, reading your update about that little guy!

MamaBruff · Tue Mar 10, 2015 10:49 am

Yes, a wonderful story!

madattiver · Tue Mar 10, 2015 10:54 am

Great read first thing in the morning. Congrats Todd on saving this guy!

Larry A Kronemeyer · Tue Mar 10, 2015 1:18 pm

You must hold Martin in hand with first finger and thumb making ring around neck with rest of fingers and palm cradling Martin. Then bring cricket in sweeping motion to side of beak, taping beak and Martin will grab cricket. Otherwise pry beak gently and inserted cricket. Got to where I swoop cricket down and they grab. Works with mealworms,eggs, and crickets. Dip in gatorade for moisture or water. Have successfully released jumpers as long as 2 weeks after feeding and exercising. Released early morning as colony starts heading out for food.

Jeff Robinson · Tue Mar 10, 2015 10:26 pm

Larry Kronemeyer wrote:You must hold Martin in hand with first finger and thumb making ring around neck with rest of fingers and palm cradling Martin. Then bring cricket in sweeping motion to side of beak, taping beak and Martin will grab cricket. Otherwise pry beak gently and inserted cricket. Got to where I swoop cricket down and they grab. Works with mealworms,eggs, and crickets. Dip in gatorade for moisture or water. Have successfully released jumpers as long as 2 weeks after feeding and exercising. Released early morning as colony starts heading out for food.

Thanks for that feeding info Larry - definitely worth the cut and paste in case ever needed!

Great success story Todd!

Jeff