Snake in a net
Today I caught the second of two black ratsnakes trying to get a free lunch and dinner. Each was at a different pole and housing unit. I am very careful to check my netting multiple times each day because I actually like the critters. Both were cut free of the netting apparently not much worse for wear and released. The point is that this netting really seems to work well. I would never thought about it if it wasn't for this forum. Thanks
2014 - 31 breeding pair, 165 fledged
2013 - 36 breeding pair, 178 fledged
2012 - 35 Breeding Pair, 154 hatched, 14 eggs left
2011 - 26 Breeding Pair, 119 eggs, 93 hatchlings so far!
2010 - 21 breeding pair, 93 eggs, 60 hatchlings. 2009 - 4 breeding Pairs, 19 eggs, 18 fledged
2013 - 36 breeding pair, 178 fledged
2012 - 35 Breeding Pair, 154 hatched, 14 eggs left
2011 - 26 Breeding Pair, 119 eggs, 93 hatchlings so far!
2010 - 21 breeding pair, 93 eggs, 60 hatchlings. 2009 - 4 breeding Pairs, 19 eggs, 18 fledged
Thats a pretty big snake. Its cool that you can cut him lose and release him. Killing these guys sucks when you have to but eating your birds sucks worse. good job on that
2008~(1st yr) 4 pairs, 11 to 12 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
Seems to be 1/2". Its the only size they had. The snake was probably about 4 feet long.
2014 - 31 breeding pair, 165 fledged
2013 - 36 breeding pair, 178 fledged
2012 - 35 Breeding Pair, 154 hatched, 14 eggs left
2011 - 26 Breeding Pair, 119 eggs, 93 hatchlings so far!
2010 - 21 breeding pair, 93 eggs, 60 hatchlings. 2009 - 4 breeding Pairs, 19 eggs, 18 fledged
2013 - 36 breeding pair, 178 fledged
2012 - 35 Breeding Pair, 154 hatched, 14 eggs left
2011 - 26 Breeding Pair, 119 eggs, 93 hatchlings so far!
2010 - 21 breeding pair, 93 eggs, 60 hatchlings. 2009 - 4 breeding Pairs, 19 eggs, 18 fledged
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Grady,
I'm glad you keep an eye out and release the snakes - they are not bad guys, we just don't want them in our martin or bird houses.
I'm glad you keep an eye out and release the snakes - they are not bad guys, we just don't want them in our martin or bird houses.
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Virgil McCoy
- Posts: 302
- Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:06 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Alexandria
- Martin Colony History: Purple Martin Landlord since 2006
I bought this same netting at Wal Mart in the lawn and garden area. Its primary use is to cover fruits and vegetables from birds but who'd a thought it would be used by us for just the opposite reason ! lol !
Proud to be a fourth generation Purple Martin landlord.
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GeneP
- Posts: 525
- Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:35 am
- Location: Kansas, Lawrence
- Martin Colony History: 1 gourd rack with 24 gourd capacity. 2018, my 11th year hosting martins.
18 pair in 2017.
Yes, but it's just information on a webpage until someone takes action. Thanks for taking action.Grady wrote: The point is that this netting really seems to work well. I would never thought about it if it wasn't for this forum. Thanks
PMCA Member, Single Gourd Rack, 2019 marks 12 years hosting martins.
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Linda Reynolds
- Posts: 1308
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:33 pm
- Location: Adamsville, TN
We purchase large rolls of DuPont VISTA (DEER OR BIRD??) netting at Tractor Supply. I believe it is only available in 1/2' mesh but it works well for us. I think it is about 100 xi 7 feet, but not 100% sure of the size of the roll. I think that the last time we purchased it, it was about $23.00 per roll.
The roll of netting has lasted us for more than a couple of years. We not only use it for our martin racks, but for all of our bluebird poles. At the end of the season it is sometimes quite *nasty* from droppings, however a brisk spray with the hose usually takes care of the debris. If not, we toss it...........
It can be used season after season and it and consider it a small investment for the health and well-being of your colony.
We simply gather ours and cinch it in the middle like an hourglass or ballerina's tutu....and secure it to the poles with short lenghts of bungee cords. We can easily remove it if necessary. The trick is to make sure it remains fluffy..........heavy rain and wind has a tendency to compress it if you do not use a wire form. We do not use a wire form.........
We once had a snake negotiate the outside of the netting and gain access to the colony..........It was caught in the netting on the way down, but the damage was done........It was our fault, as the netting was not *fluffy.........and had compressed due to a recent storm.
The netting is our second line of defense. We have both of our martin poles fitted with a solar powered electric fence wire wrap..........Have not even seen a snake in the netting in a couple of years now, and attribute it to the electric fence wiring.
Please control those snakes, they can wipe out a colony in short order.
The roll of netting has lasted us for more than a couple of years. We not only use it for our martin racks, but for all of our bluebird poles. At the end of the season it is sometimes quite *nasty* from droppings, however a brisk spray with the hose usually takes care of the debris. If not, we toss it...........
It can be used season after season and it and consider it a small investment for the health and well-being of your colony.
We simply gather ours and cinch it in the middle like an hourglass or ballerina's tutu....and secure it to the poles with short lenghts of bungee cords. We can easily remove it if necessary. The trick is to make sure it remains fluffy..........heavy rain and wind has a tendency to compress it if you do not use a wire form. We do not use a wire form.........
We once had a snake negotiate the outside of the netting and gain access to the colony..........It was caught in the netting on the way down, but the damage was done........It was our fault, as the netting was not *fluffy.........and had compressed due to a recent storm.
The netting is our second line of defense. We have both of our martin poles fitted with a solar powered electric fence wire wrap..........Have not even seen a snake in the netting in a couple of years now, and attribute it to the electric fence wiring.
Please control those snakes, they can wipe out a colony in short order.
Ever-Grateful,
Linda
Linda