NEWS FLASH ( SAMANTHA COMES HOME )

bluetick · Thu Jul 31, 2014 8:47 am

Samantha. About 8:40 PM I had just came up from the garden and my wife was sitting in front of the Garage watching the birds on the two new gourd racks I had just put up an hour before. She started yelling for me to come. I thought there was a hawk out there. When I got out in front of the garage she said look Samantha is a live. She had flew into the area where the bowl was still sitting under the blue spruce and was standing on the edge of the bowl drinking. My wife said get the camera. I ran for the camera and when I got back she had flew up in the blue spruce where she use to roost. All at once she started to work her hurt wing just like she did on the stump. I tried to take a picture of her working it but it's not to good. She went down in the tree and then came back up to the top. After a while she flew right toward us. My wife said she still don't fly real good and I said she flys. She went around and back up on the gourds. I couldn't believe she came back and went right to her bowl. I am glad I left it there but there was no egg for her to eat. She still has a lot of time to get her wing strong I told my wife as we still have two gourds not fledged. My wife and myself couldn't have been happier. It was a beautiful story book ending. God Is Great. I was so happy to see the skunk never got her. Long live Samantha. Bluetick Dave

taxidermy lady · Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:12 am

That is an awesome ending! She will never forget you and your wife for helping her

Annie G · Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:35 am

Ok.. That is a real tear jerker.. So happy she came back! She knows she is safe with you guys. A great story! Also sounds like the martins like your new gourd racks too.

Annie

bluetick · Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:49 am

86 units for next year

bluetick · Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:53 am

My colony from another angle. I also have a S&S that's not in the picture. I have my feed tray right there in front where I keep shells and grit. Bluetick Dave

klcretired · Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:59 am

Great Job Bluetick , you're The Best , Thank you so much for caring for the Martins , you are a Super PM Landlord, we need more dedicated people like you to help the Martins, wow you are ready for next year!!! I wish you Great continued success, The Martins are gonna Love your Site , oh , and look at all those gourds...Wow..someone spent quite a few Bucks!!!!!
Your Martin Friend,
Kenny

Matt F. · Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:14 am

That is awesome Dave!
Talk about a heart-warming report.
That little Martin was 100% saved by you and your wife.
Truly great work.

Ed Pace · Thu Jul 31, 2014 1:17 pm

Talk about a happy moment , that takes the cake!

ToyinPA · Thu Jul 31, 2014 1:19 pm

Dave:

Great job. Will she eat meal worms or crickets at all? They'd be better then eggs, as they can cause loose bowel if they eat too many.

You could try putting meal worms in the eggs.

Good luck I hope she makes it.

Toy in PA

suem · Thu Jul 31, 2014 1:34 pm

I've been following your story. I am so happy for you both. As I posted, there are so many wonderful people helping these birds we love so much. I laughed with my best friend when I told her, at 64, I was thinking of getting me first tattoo.... of a MARTIN!!!!! Not going to happen, but I do love these birds. I am so jealous of all your gourds and racks. I have the space but not the $$$$. Maybe I can start a fund raising project. HAHA

pmlover · Thu Jul 31, 2014 2:58 pm

great job Dave your doing wonderful. I hope you have 400 martins next year
Dick

Chris B · Thu Jul 31, 2014 3:11 pm

Is the bird able to gather her own food or are you flinging crickets?

bluetick · Thu Jul 31, 2014 3:28 pm

She is getting her own food. We feed her meal worms and eggs until she left. She had been going for a week before she came back to the water dish last night. I think she will be fine now. If she keeps coming to the water dish I will put some meal worms there like we did before but I want her to get her own food if she can.

birdy girl · Thu Jul 31, 2014 4:16 pm

So glad she came back. At least now you know she is capable of surviving on her own. Has her flying improved? Such a wonder story!

bluetick · Fri Aug 01, 2014 8:45 am

Thanks everyone for your kind wishes on Samantha. After I got 14 pair of Martins in 2013 my goal was to put up 100 units and to get 50 to 60 pair as I plan on retiring soon and just enjoy my birds and coon hounds. I only had 18 pair of Martins this year but I will have fledged 76 as soon as these last 6 fledge. I was hoping for 26 to 28 pair this year but was real happy with 18 as a lot of my friends colonies were down and mine went up 4 pair. I am going to add one more 12 gourd rack in july of next year and put two more gourds on my trendsetter which will make the 100 units. Then I am done. After the 24 I just added I now have 86 units. I don't want more than I can care for. Besides as Sue said they are not cheap. Had to sell an old Bluetick to buy the last two. LOL! I think if I live long enough I will be able to meet my goal of 50 to 60 pair. Bluetick Dave

taxidermy lady · Fri Aug 01, 2014 9:17 am

Oh yeah love it! You are a super guy to care for purple martins! Keep it up as long as you can! You have the same future planned out as I,I want to retire and have a hobby to help nature! Good luck on expanding!!!

Dave Duit · Fri Aug 01, 2014 8:40 pm

Super news. Great job and congrats.

John Evans · Fri Aug 01, 2014 8:56 pm

awesome.. Congrats.

pmartinlover2 · Fri Aug 01, 2014 9:35 pm

Loved your story--love your martin site. Good luck next year.
_________
Jody

pmlover · Sun Aug 03, 2014 2:35 pm

dave do you know the last name lescallette
thanks Dick