Just back from an extended road trip through California, that included a stop at Shelter Cove on the northern coast, where we've been running a nestbox project since 2002. There have been articles in the Update about Shelter Cove. Most martins here nest in snags that were created in a large wildfire decades ago, but now the snags are being lost to winter winds and residential development. This year about ten pairs of martins are using Pacific Northwest style single wooden nestboxes at various sites around Shelter Cove, about the same as last year. Last year martins also used a Troyer horizontal gourd at Shelter. We were not directly responsible for this site, but the gourds went up after some residents were told about the martins. This year the martins are using one of Andy's gourds again, and, for the first time martins are using a Supergourd at another one of the sites. Shelter is the first use of nestboxes and gourds in California, to the best of our knowledge. Martins are also nesting in holes in wooden utility poles in the area, as well as various holes in people's houses, such as broken roof vents, woodpecker holes in siding, or rotten spots in soffits, etc.
Stan Kostka
Seattle
Martins using artificial gourds in California
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Steve Kroenke
- Posts: 4342
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 6:49 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Logansport
Hey Stan,
Thanks for sharing that good news about California martins using Troyer Horizontal and Super Gourds! These two commercial gourds are some of the best on the market.
Though many martins out west still nest in natural cavities or cavities in buildings and other manmade structures, it is a good sign to see the martins gradually transitioning to houses and gourds. As more of the natural sites disappear, the martins will need substitute cavities.
Steve
Thanks for sharing that good news about California martins using Troyer Horizontal and Super Gourds! These two commercial gourds are some of the best on the market.
Though many martins out west still nest in natural cavities or cavities in buildings and other manmade structures, it is a good sign to see the martins gradually transitioning to houses and gourds. As more of the natural sites disappear, the martins will need substitute cavities.
Steve
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stan kostka
- Posts: 154
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 7:59 pm
- Location: Washington, Seattle
Hi Steve,
That's exactly why we started this project. Likely the only way a significant population of martins will remain in Shelter Cove is if they have other places to nest besides the snags. This year again we were told of snags going down in winter storms, and we were unable to find one particular snag where we observed martins last year. It apparently has fallen into the understory of the canyon. In another instance a snag was cut down by some people doing fire abatement, although it should not have been cut for that purpose.
Besides maintaining the local martin population, artificial cavities also present an opportunity to gather egg laying data, which is pretty much impossible in tall snags on rather inaccessible steep slopes. We now know that the nest timing of the coastal birds in northern CA is much the same as those in Puget Sound, over 600 miles to the north, whereas the Sacramento birds, although only a couple hundred miles away are about a month earlier. It's all about climate, and it's quite different between the coast and the Central Valley. Mark Twain once said the coldest winter he ever experienced was a summer in San Francisco, or something like that. During our stay in Sacramento it was 104 one day, and we've experienced higher temps than that in the past. The nestboxes we deployed in the wildlife refuge near Sacramento have double roofs and extra ventilation. They have been used by tree swallows, so we know they can take the heat. Problem with the Sac area is there is a large House Sparrow population. I've never seen a House sparrow in Shelter Cove.
Stan
That's exactly why we started this project. Likely the only way a significant population of martins will remain in Shelter Cove is if they have other places to nest besides the snags. This year again we were told of snags going down in winter storms, and we were unable to find one particular snag where we observed martins last year. It apparently has fallen into the understory of the canyon. In another instance a snag was cut down by some people doing fire abatement, although it should not have been cut for that purpose.
Besides maintaining the local martin population, artificial cavities also present an opportunity to gather egg laying data, which is pretty much impossible in tall snags on rather inaccessible steep slopes. We now know that the nest timing of the coastal birds in northern CA is much the same as those in Puget Sound, over 600 miles to the north, whereas the Sacramento birds, although only a couple hundred miles away are about a month earlier. It's all about climate, and it's quite different between the coast and the Central Valley. Mark Twain once said the coldest winter he ever experienced was a summer in San Francisco, or something like that. During our stay in Sacramento it was 104 one day, and we've experienced higher temps than that in the past. The nestboxes we deployed in the wildlife refuge near Sacramento have double roofs and extra ventilation. They have been used by tree swallows, so we know they can take the heat. Problem with the Sac area is there is a large House Sparrow population. I've never seen a House sparrow in Shelter Cove.
Stan
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John Miller
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- Location: St. Louis, MO
Stan
Thanks for your report. I hope to see western martins some day.
I'll probably be drummed out of the club, but I worry about martins using plastic gourds, or even white painted natural gourds in the West. What are your thoughts on this?
My worry would be that it leads martins not to recognize natural cavities.
Within site of one of our houses in Forest Park, St. Louis, Mo., stands an old dying sycamore. It's riddled with woodpecker holes. Starlings use it mostly, but you'd think just once I'd see a martin investigate. It stands there right in front of them from where they sit on their beautiful aluminum Trendsetter house and gourds.
I know we want to preserve the species in the West, but I'm thinking I'd prefer seeing them in the single, non-painted gourds and wooden houses, so maybe some of the fledgings would then at least investigate any natural cavities too.
Your thoughts on this?
John M
Thanks for your report. I hope to see western martins some day.
I'll probably be drummed out of the club, but I worry about martins using plastic gourds, or even white painted natural gourds in the West. What are your thoughts on this?
My worry would be that it leads martins not to recognize natural cavities.
Within site of one of our houses in Forest Park, St. Louis, Mo., stands an old dying sycamore. It's riddled with woodpecker holes. Starlings use it mostly, but you'd think just once I'd see a martin investigate. It stands there right in front of them from where they sit on their beautiful aluminum Trendsetter house and gourds.
I know we want to preserve the species in the West, but I'm thinking I'd prefer seeing them in the single, non-painted gourds and wooden houses, so maybe some of the fledgings would then at least investigate any natural cavities too.
Your thoughts on this?
John M
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Daniel Airola
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2006 9:11 pm
- Location: Sacramento
I'll jump in on Stan to offer my answer John's question. None of us western martin folks want to see martins precluded from using their historic snag nesting sites. But relying on natural cavities alone is a risky proposition for two reasons. First, snag nest sites may be diminishing in some areas due to fire management practices and salvage logging. Second, the more widespread problem, of course, is starling competition, which cannot be controlled in natural sites.
As I have posted here in the past, martins have been eliminated from all portions of vast lowland areas of California due to starling competition. My Sacramento population, the last in the Central Valley is hanging on in elevated freeways and overpasses, with about 70 pairs this year. (I'll post the final total in a few weeks.)
Starlings are less abundant in forested northwest coastal areas, which not coincidentally, is where martin populations are most abundant. Nonetheless, Shelter Cove is one of the largest coastal populations, and the rapid adoption of nest boxes suggests that the removal and natural fall of snags may be affecting breeding pairs.
Our intent for the coast is to get some box programs going, to support local populations. For example, another site where we have put boxes is where one of the bridge-nesting populations may be affected by a re-build project next year. But we do not have the human population base, widespread knowledge of martin management, and interest to ever threaten the snag-nesting population in the remote coastal areas where martins are doing well.
I know your comment was directed more narrowly at painted gourds and boxes. In the hot Central Valley we have to paint boxes white or the birds would literally bake. I'm not sure a white box is any more foreign to a gray-freeway-nesting martin than a untreated wooden box or unpainted gourd. Stan doesn't paint the boxes white at the cooler coast, and natural gourds would do just fine, I'm sure. Regardless, we have fewer than 10 white plastic gourds out along the 200 mile coastline, so there is no danger of a dramatic cultural shift to white gourds anytime soon!!!
Thanks for your interest in our western martins, and we are always open to ideas and suggestions from everyone.
As I have posted here in the past, martins have been eliminated from all portions of vast lowland areas of California due to starling competition. My Sacramento population, the last in the Central Valley is hanging on in elevated freeways and overpasses, with about 70 pairs this year. (I'll post the final total in a few weeks.)
Starlings are less abundant in forested northwest coastal areas, which not coincidentally, is where martin populations are most abundant. Nonetheless, Shelter Cove is one of the largest coastal populations, and the rapid adoption of nest boxes suggests that the removal and natural fall of snags may be affecting breeding pairs.
Our intent for the coast is to get some box programs going, to support local populations. For example, another site where we have put boxes is where one of the bridge-nesting populations may be affected by a re-build project next year. But we do not have the human population base, widespread knowledge of martin management, and interest to ever threaten the snag-nesting population in the remote coastal areas where martins are doing well.
I know your comment was directed more narrowly at painted gourds and boxes. In the hot Central Valley we have to paint boxes white or the birds would literally bake. I'm not sure a white box is any more foreign to a gray-freeway-nesting martin than a untreated wooden box or unpainted gourd. Stan doesn't paint the boxes white at the cooler coast, and natural gourds would do just fine, I'm sure. Regardless, we have fewer than 10 white plastic gourds out along the 200 mile coastline, so there is no danger of a dramatic cultural shift to white gourds anytime soon!!!
Thanks for your interest in our western martins, and we are always open to ideas and suggestions from everyone.
Dan Airola - Sacramento CA
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John Miller
- Posts: 4863
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Dan
Thanks for your overview on this.
I stand in awe of the fact that the entire martin population in the East is supported by humans.
I've briefly considered putting up some of the individual boxes like you and Stan use, but most probably would be taken by tree swallows. If a martin did take interest, their fledglings likely would quickly join their buddies in late summer to sit on some Trio castle, so what would be the point. I say that with some humor. These are wonderful birds, providing a great way for us humans to connect with nature, but I'm glad a small population remains entirely wild in old snags the West.
Keep up your good work there.
John M
Thanks for your overview on this.
I stand in awe of the fact that the entire martin population in the East is supported by humans.
I've briefly considered putting up some of the individual boxes like you and Stan use, but most probably would be taken by tree swallows. If a martin did take interest, their fledglings likely would quickly join their buddies in late summer to sit on some Trio castle, so what would be the point. I say that with some humor. These are wonderful birds, providing a great way for us humans to connect with nature, but I'm glad a small population remains entirely wild in old snags the West.
Keep up your good work there.
John M
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Thanks for the report. Personally, I am glad that they are accepting manmade cavities. This greatly increase their chance of survival, and even could vastly increase their population, allowing more people to be able to see them and enjoy them. Not many people get to see them in the forests or on the edges of the forests. Seems like this is a way to keep them from being extinct.
I am not concerned about them losing their natural habit of nesting in holes in trees. When we have more martins than we can handle down here in Texas, the martins will nest in signs, under roofs at service stations, inside the framework of street lights, in piles of stone, etc. They quickly learn to adjust to the conditions necessary to survive. We saw that out West when they started to nest under the bridges. Also, I think that they are color blind in choosing their housing, they quickly accept brown gourds down here, the color of gourds seems to not matter much.
Thanks for the report, I am happy to see that
I am not concerned about them losing their natural habit of nesting in holes in trees. When we have more martins than we can handle down here in Texas, the martins will nest in signs, under roofs at service stations, inside the framework of street lights, in piles of stone, etc. They quickly learn to adjust to the conditions necessary to survive. We saw that out West when they started to nest under the bridges. Also, I think that they are color blind in choosing their housing, they quickly accept brown gourds down here, the color of gourds seems to not matter much.
Thanks for the report, I am happy to see that
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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stan kostka
- Posts: 154
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 7:59 pm
- Location: Washington, Seattle
Hi John,
The gourds are white because they came that way, obviously. But they probably don't need to be white there on the northern CA coast, where it's relatively cool. So we could paint them some more natural color. I think it's totally unnecessary to paint martin housing white, unless you are trying to keep it from getting too hot.
Regarding your notion that this could lead martins to then not recognize natural cavities, I have had some of the same feelings myself. And so I have on occasion over the years opposed putting artificial cavities into various places that already support "wild" martins. I've argued against placing housing where martins were nesting in bridges, under piers, in lava tubes, and in living and dead trees. Basically I'm opposed to introducing artificial cavities anywhere martins are doing OK on their own. But, since we know that martins want to breed at the same place year after year, I think its OK to introduce nestboxes (or gourds) to mitigate cavity loss or starling competition at some western sites, for both the conservation and research opportunities. Having said that, I should also say that I'm not necessarily in favor of increasing existing local populations simply for the sake of seeing more martins. Before we initiated the Shelter Cove project I spoke with a biologist who had spent time studying martins in California, including the Shelter Cove birds, to find out how he felt about introducing nestboxes, and he was OK with it when I explained our reasoning. He had in fact tried nestboxes elsewhere in California before that, without success. And remember, martins were already transitioning to various kinds of holes in various human residences of various colors there in Shelter Cove, before and during the nestbox/gourd project.
I agree with Emil that martins do not imprint on cavity type. By banding nestlings we've seen birds move between boxes and gourds, and from boxes and gourds to ledges and rot pockets and old pipes on abandoned and active maritime structures. And, we've seen martins change habitat types as well. Martins fledged from inland prairies disperse to intertidal areas. On one occasion we observed a banded SY male investigating a cavity in a snag where other martins were nesting. Unfortunately that snag fell the following winter so no follow up was possible. To the best of my knowledge no one has ever documented a banded (ie nestbox or gourd fledged) martin breeding in a snag cavity, but I will not be at all surprised when it eventually happens.
So why aren't there more Eastern birds using trees ? I think it's simply because there is so much martin housing, managed and not, and more people are trying to attract martins to new housing all the time. If most housing came down, no doubt some martins would transition into other kinds of cavities, including trees. But, there would be far fewer martins overall. There are now millions of martins east of the continental divide, all breeding in birdhouses. I think there may be as few as 10,000 pairs of western martins, and would not be surprised to learn there are even less than that.
Stan
The gourds are white because they came that way, obviously. But they probably don't need to be white there on the northern CA coast, where it's relatively cool. So we could paint them some more natural color. I think it's totally unnecessary to paint martin housing white, unless you are trying to keep it from getting too hot.
Regarding your notion that this could lead martins to then not recognize natural cavities, I have had some of the same feelings myself. And so I have on occasion over the years opposed putting artificial cavities into various places that already support "wild" martins. I've argued against placing housing where martins were nesting in bridges, under piers, in lava tubes, and in living and dead trees. Basically I'm opposed to introducing artificial cavities anywhere martins are doing OK on their own. But, since we know that martins want to breed at the same place year after year, I think its OK to introduce nestboxes (or gourds) to mitigate cavity loss or starling competition at some western sites, for both the conservation and research opportunities. Having said that, I should also say that I'm not necessarily in favor of increasing existing local populations simply for the sake of seeing more martins. Before we initiated the Shelter Cove project I spoke with a biologist who had spent time studying martins in California, including the Shelter Cove birds, to find out how he felt about introducing nestboxes, and he was OK with it when I explained our reasoning. He had in fact tried nestboxes elsewhere in California before that, without success. And remember, martins were already transitioning to various kinds of holes in various human residences of various colors there in Shelter Cove, before and during the nestbox/gourd project.
I agree with Emil that martins do not imprint on cavity type. By banding nestlings we've seen birds move between boxes and gourds, and from boxes and gourds to ledges and rot pockets and old pipes on abandoned and active maritime structures. And, we've seen martins change habitat types as well. Martins fledged from inland prairies disperse to intertidal areas. On one occasion we observed a banded SY male investigating a cavity in a snag where other martins were nesting. Unfortunately that snag fell the following winter so no follow up was possible. To the best of my knowledge no one has ever documented a banded (ie nestbox or gourd fledged) martin breeding in a snag cavity, but I will not be at all surprised when it eventually happens.
So why aren't there more Eastern birds using trees ? I think it's simply because there is so much martin housing, managed and not, and more people are trying to attract martins to new housing all the time. If most housing came down, no doubt some martins would transition into other kinds of cavities, including trees. But, there would be far fewer martins overall. There are now millions of martins east of the continental divide, all breeding in birdhouses. I think there may be as few as 10,000 pairs of western martins, and would not be surprised to learn there are even less than that.
Stan
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John Miller
- Posts: 4863
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Stan
Thanks for your response to concerns I posed.
I think erecting wooden boxes or single gourds in places were martins already nested is wonderful. It's sort of a blue bird trail -- only purple -- an maintains a local population in conditions pretty darn close to natural.
I do hope we never lose the martins that continue to nest in deep forested areas. I occasionally see birding reports from Colorado in particular where birders have spotted martin. I may never see them, and may never see a Cerulean Warbler either (they nest too in deep forests, in the East and are declining, I read); but I'm glad they are there.
John
Thanks for your response to concerns I posed.
I think erecting wooden boxes or single gourds in places were martins already nested is wonderful. It's sort of a blue bird trail -- only purple -- an maintains a local population in conditions pretty darn close to natural.
I do hope we never lose the martins that continue to nest in deep forested areas. I occasionally see birding reports from Colorado in particular where birders have spotted martin. I may never see them, and may never see a Cerulean Warbler either (they nest too in deep forests, in the East and are declining, I read); but I'm glad they are there.
John
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Guest
Hi Stan, Did you guys find alot of martins at Tejon Ranch? Were you
with the guys that stopped at dry creek road. They fledged last week.
I watch the two adults and three young for an hour and a half. This is very exciting for me to have this pair after looking for 40 years. This
is a 30 minute drive from my house and their nesting 60-80' above the
ground on a power tower. The other pair are still feeding young. I hope you guys found lots of martin on the survey.
with the guys that stopped at dry creek road. They fledged last week.
I watch the two adults and three young for an hour and a half. This is very exciting for me to have this pair after looking for 40 years. This
is a 30 minute drive from my house and their nesting 60-80' above the
ground on a power tower. The other pair are still feeding young. I hope you guys found lots of martin on the survey.
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stan kostka
- Posts: 154
- Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 7:59 pm
- Location: Washington, Seattle
Hi Vic,
I was not part of the Tejon survey team, would love to have done it but just didn't have the time right now. I understand Dan K from Sacramento was involved, but haven't heard anything about results. Glad to hear the Dry Creek birds were successful.
Things are so much later here around Puget Sound. Most birds are still on eggs.
Stan
I was not part of the Tejon survey team, would love to have done it but just didn't have the time right now. I understand Dan K from Sacramento was involved, but haven't heard anything about results. Glad to hear the Dry Creek birds were successful.
Things are so much later here around Puget Sound. Most birds are still on eggs.
Stan