Jul 21, 2010 09:43:25 PM, whitea60@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Jul 21, 2010 09:42:00 PM, whitea60@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Jul 21, 2010 09:40:17 PM, whitea60@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
Jul 21, 2010 11:36:00 AM, va-bird-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
The message's content type was not explicitly allowed
Jul 21, 2010 11:24:26 AM, whitea60@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
While observing the Purple Martins' fly-in to the roosting site on
monday,7-19-10, I noticed two major developments. The number of martins
roosting in the bradford pear trees on 17th street near the Farmers Market in
Richmond, VA. has increased to nearly 3,000. Since the nesting and fledging
period is over, there are more martins looking for a place to roost. Each day I
visit this location I play the Dawn Song for about five minutes to attract
purple martins that are looking for a place to roost. About 50 to 100 purple
martins respond to the Dawn Song by circling overhead. I know that according to
prodocol ,that's not the purpose for which the tape was created..But it works
every time. ......and the flock of purple martins is growing. The second major
development that I noticed was that the peregrine falcons that usually attack
the purple martins in flight are sometimes landing in the bradford pear trees
to grab a martin. However, this does not cause all of the martins to fly out of
the trees. Only those near the landing sight of the falcon will take to the
air. The purple martins are accustomed to predator attacks and use a variety
methods to avoid their potential attacker.....including the warning whispering
sound for all martins to "Be Quiet", to begin flying in a circle --in sinc, and
to use acrobatic moves to evade the speeding peregrine falcon. So, only small
fraction of a percent is actually captured...my theory is that the very
young or the purple martins that are of advanced age become victim of this food
chain. I, adolph white, have no data to support this theory....
It's only speculation.....that may or may not be true.
Adolph White Richmond, VA.
