Here are some tips for Getting Ready for the Martins in 2012 …Click on the links….
Here are some tips for Getting Ready for The 2013 Purple Martin Season on the Purple Martin Forum from Louise Chambers for new members. Very Useful Louise!
Here is also a source for Emergency Feeding mealworms listed below. In addition,Mary Wilson, our secretary can provide you a source for purchasing crickets.
Emergency Feeding
Newhaven Mealworms
George and Alicia Oakley
525024 5th Side Road , R R # 6, Shelburne, Ontario, L0N 1S9
519-925-2571
10,000 for $35 plus shipping – Minimum order 10,000.
At the same time, I would also encourage those of you who have time and energy to be prepared to also feed the martins if required. Provide extra heat to your houses in the form of a light bulb in an adjacent compartment and do monitor their condition. Drooped wings and a listless condition are a serious sign of a declining health condition. On the other hand, it is during these early inclement weather periods that martins are more open to receiving food in the form of crickets, scrambled eggs and meal worms especially when they are stressed.You may wish to add supplementary food on porches or to feeding trays. If the martins are failing, check out the section on Weather and Martin Survival.