Feeling a little bummed right now in our efforts to establish martin colonies in Forest Park, St. Louis.
We had one SY pair nesting in one of two Coates Water's Edge houses at a golf course site. Just did a worried nest check -- had not seen feeding activity. Found three dead, about 13-day old nestlings.
I'm attributing this to the two inches of rain (hurrican remnants) we had Monday and Tuesday this week. The nest was a little wet. I should have checked two days ago, but I had thought two week old birds probably would survive a damp nest. I'll surely know better next year.
We do have bustling feldging going on at the other end of the park in a house that had six nests, but a few babies disappeared there earlier in the season. So as in life, some gains, some setbacks.
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo
Setback in St. Louis
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
...not just the damp nest - but, how about the decreased number of insects flying due to the rain.
Empty tummies topped off with hypothermia
Empty tummies topped off with hypothermia
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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starling shooter
- Posts: 461
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:43 pm
- Location: Central MO
who knows...the parents could have fallen victim to a predator too.
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Lavern....yes, two days of light rain may have made feedling tough.
Shooter...death of a parent was my first thought. But the nest was damp and bare to the aluminum subfloor in the middle. I last saw feeding Wed,., about time the two-day rain stopped -- so more I thought, I came to hypothermia conclusion. (babies had been dead for at least two days -- so about when rain stopped)
Feeling a little frustrated -- now think these aluminum subfloors are of some value -- but mostly crap.
I'd like to hear if other landlords with younger nestlings in Mo., Il., Ind. who got heavy rain earlier this week had problems, and I'd urge nest checks.
John Miller,
St. Louis
Shooter...death of a parent was my first thought. But the nest was damp and bare to the aluminum subfloor in the middle. I last saw feeding Wed,., about time the two-day rain stopped -- so more I thought, I came to hypothermia conclusion. (babies had been dead for at least two days -- so about when rain stopped)
Feeling a little frustrated -- now think these aluminum subfloors are of some value -- but mostly crap.
I'd like to hear if other landlords with younger nestlings in Mo., Il., Ind. who got heavy rain earlier this week had problems, and I'd urge nest checks.
John Miller,
St. Louis
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Guest
sorry those babies were lost. glad there are more on the other side of the golf course.
I never thought to check the nests after a hard rain. Good thought.
Your post might save some babies for someone in the future.
I never thought to check the nests after a hard rain. Good thought.
Your post might save some babies for someone in the future.
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Bob Rogers
- Posts: 226
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 6:48 pm
- Location: Arnold, Missouri
John,
Sorry to hear about the loss. I also lost several nests during one of the recent wind/rain storms going through the St. Louis area recently. Don't beat yourself up too badly over the loss, SY'sare a fickle lot and it does not take too many "happenings" for them to abandon their nest. Most of us landloards have had storms, hawk scares, wet weather, etc, cause loss at our sights --- especially SY losses. A good thing is these SY's will most likely be back again next year as smarter ASY martins. Don't give up, it does get better.
Sorry to hear about the loss. I also lost several nests during one of the recent wind/rain storms going through the St. Louis area recently. Don't beat yourself up too badly over the loss, SY'sare a fickle lot and it does not take too many "happenings" for them to abandon their nest. Most of us landloards have had storms, hawk scares, wet weather, etc, cause loss at our sights --- especially SY losses. A good thing is these SY's will most likely be back again next year as smarter ASY martins. Don't give up, it does get better.
Bob R.