Natural disasters and wildlife

Nature Talk
4

Here in NE Ohio we had some purple martins return to some lakes near Akron, Ohio where they use martin houses set up for them. Purple martins depend on these man-made structures. This year we had about a week of nice warm 60 - 70 degree weather. Then, we had three days of 30 degree weather with some snow. That is typical of NE Ohio springtime. The martins were having a hard time. Well, a couple of years ago some birders got the idea to bring them food when this happens. They seem to like scrambled eggs. So, birders bring containers of eggs for them so they can get through the few days of frigid temperatures when this happens in the spring. In the past some birds would die from the cold. Naturalists confirmed that the scrambled eggs are good for them. Mealworms didn’t seem to do the trick. The martins also like to huddle under the cars to take advantage of the heat coming off the engines. So, the birders plan to stay awhile when they bring the eggs.