Divebombing Martins

LindaP · Wed Jul 13, 2011 2:29 pm

I have one pair of PMs who just fledged 2 little ones. They've been here for several years. I've noticed during the year that whenever I approach our tiny colony of one pair that I upset the PMs.

The family is now airborne and at least one SY has started to dive bomb me when I walk out the front door. It's a full 200+ feet from the trio house. Indeed, as I walked to the mailbox one almost hit me and screams just as he streaks away. Since I'm in no way threatening them I don't understand this poor neighborly attitude.

How can I get them to settle down whenever I'm outside... or have company? I don't want the neighbors to shoot them either as pests. I live in a rural area. Yikes.

Thanks for any help.
LindaP

John Miller · Wed Jul 13, 2011 3:21 pm

Martins sometimes get more aggressive with dive bombing when the babies are near fledging age. As your babies have fledged, I think this will end within a day or so. Diving bombing martins can be unsettling to people, but I've never heard of one actually striking a person. They're all bluff.

It may be too that the martins recognize "you" as the person who did nest checks recently. We don't know if this is true, but seems to be something some of us observe. I get dive bombed all the time at some housing I manage at a golf course, but golfers walk right by unscathed. Of course the golfers don't stand and gawk at the martins like I do.

John M

Chriscreole · Wed Jul 13, 2011 4:28 pm

my martins did that too real close to me and the dogs untill they saw how high a Jack russell can jump (about 5 feet straight up) then they backed off but still scream at us.

When I had a bunch of HOSP in the blains trap on the ground the dogs would watch on either side of the trap and the fellow HOSP were dive bomming the dogs to try to get the dogs to leave them alone. brave lil critters, well Ouwie-Gator my female can jump up pretty high and catch them quite often, I think the Martins also saw and learned from this. I have a video on my website of it. link at bottom of my signature.

LindaP · Wed Jul 13, 2011 4:48 pm

Thanks for your encouragement that my martins aren't demented. Since I'm the culprit that bothers their home by moving it up and down, they must not like me. How can I get them to tolerate me so we can both live in peace together? I see all 4 flying overhead. They are neat birds but I can only imagine a house full with the parents diving my head at each nest check.

Guest · Wed Jul 13, 2011 4:52 pm

Is it possible for the PMs to become more accepting to you if you spend more time outside just piddling around them without messing with the house or close to it?

LindaP · Wed Jul 13, 2011 5:40 pm

I think you have the answer. I spend no time in that part of the yard except to do nest checks and clear HOSPs. I see a new project in that part of the yard so they get to know me. Thanks. I'll give it a try.

Guest · Wed Jul 13, 2011 6:16 pm

No problem! I piddle in the back yard in the flower beds and sometimes just sit on the deck for awhile drinking a cup of coffee in the morning watching them during Social Hour. I know they know I'm there because they hear the back door open and then they start to fly real close by the deck where I'm watching!

Tony Lau · Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:22 pm

I have close to 50 pair here and there is only one martin that dive bombs me. I think it's just his personality, he's a mean old bird.

jspurgin · Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:51 pm

My martin housing is right next to the garden, so I am out there all the time. I had a pair of martins start dive bombing me last week. I would be in the garden and hear a "whoosh" as they went by my head. A little unsettling to say the least. I have never had this behavior before. I know they had a nest that was near fledging, so maybe that was the cause.