sold lot behind house

Debh · Sat Jun 19, 2010 6:33 pm

The lot behind my house and back yard has been sold and someone is building. I have martins nesting in my martin house and they are already having their flight plan clearance jeopardized. The house is held erect by a heavy umbrella stand which slides under the wood fence to keep it steady and can also be moved. The corner of my back yard is open toward the lake. Do you think if I move it slightly and gradually toward the more open area that they will stay and come back next year?
Thank you,
Deb

Robert Richerson · Sat Jun 19, 2010 7:16 pm

Yea, moving a colony a few feet or yards should not be a problem. It also gives you an opportunity (if you are like me) to make other adjustments that will also make your colony more appealing.

~Patrick~ · Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:19 pm

Just make sure you keep the orientation of the house the same. Don't change directions of the compartments. That will cause confusion and possible abandonment.

Robert Richerson · Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:25 pm

~Patrick~ wrote:Just make sure you keep the orientation of the house the same. Don't change directions of the compartments. That will cause confusion and possible abandonment.

No, from what I understand the question is for the next season. Their site bonding is already intact, so as long as housing is offered in the same vicinity, there won't be an issue.

Don't even consider moving anything this season. If your question is about moving it this year, than NO!

RC Moser · Sun Jun 20, 2010 6:51 am

My understanding is she wants to move it now and not wait till next year. IMO construction don't bother PMs. I would wait till next year, Unless is so close they won't land on the house. It you do move it I also agree keep the same orientation.

Emil Pampell-Tx · Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:01 am

I made a temporary bottom on one of my poles, and moved it about 4 ft every day, moved it about 40ft over an 8 day period, the martins never paid no attention. Same reason, we sold the lot next door. It had only 1 pair in it when I moved it. My opinion is that they will follow the babies with no problem but I would not move it much at one time. Maybe you could move it just enough to get by this year, and then make the final move when the martins are gone.

Robbo · Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:07 am

Hi, Iam considering changing out one of my houses to a T-14 with gourds, would you think there would be any problems?
Robbo.

John Miller · Sun Jun 20, 2010 1:38 pm

Deb -- I would not move it -- especially these last few weeks of the season. Parents caring for young are already a little stressed, constantly on alert as they watch for danger. They might adjust to a few feet if you keep the same orientation, but I don't see what the advantage would be to them...and I'm not confident they would adjust.

They are very adept at banking and turning in flight if the new human home in the next lot has posed an obstacle to their flyway. Most of the time feeding, they drop straight down out of the sky anyway, spiraling down, winds folded back.

You can move the house next season. I helped move one house at a ski area (Hidden Valley near St. Louis) this year, closer to another house. The one we moved was relocated about 100 yards. I was worried, but our total colony jumped from 13 pairs last year to 23 this season.

Now..don't mean to preach...but your table stand mounting sounds vulnerable to me. Try to get a strong pole and mount it securely so that it won't topple in a Kansas storm. Add a predator guard and don't attach poles to fences or tables as this only makes it easier for racoons.

Robbo - Might want to start a new thread, but generally changing out housing from one season to the next is fine, so long as you keep the same basic type of housing. I see in your profile you already have wooden houses..maybe square ones...changing at T-14 would be fine. If you changed from a house to just gourds..or gourds to a house..might lose some pairs. John M

John M