Poles near Barbed wire fences....

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
DornCounty
Posts: 2169
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
Location: Rural SE Kansas
Martin Colony History: .
.
Trio-Jedi

Anyone had any experiece with this. I know it's not prefered but that's where I would like to put it. The fence is maybe 4.5ft high.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
Top
Louise Chambers
Site Admin
Posts: 6208
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
Location: Corpus Christi, TX

A fence that height should not bother the martins - how far from pole is the fence? Martins like to drop when leaving housing - so you might tie some flag tape to fence to make sure they see it.

The other issue could be predator access - a snake or raccoon or squirrel could use the fence to reach or jump across to martin pole, depending on distance between fence & pole. Be sure to use a pole guard, and to keep martin pole away from fence if you can.
Top
DornCounty
Posts: 2169
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
Location: Rural SE Kansas
Martin Colony History: .
.
Trio-Jedi

i have not installed the pole so it can be anywhere.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
Top
dancingirl76
Posts: 94
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:09 am
Location: Albia, IA

I have my house/pole near a barbed wire fence. It actually works out well because the martins would go sit on the top wire at times as a perch. I agree that it would not be good to have it up against the fence (predators would have a several feet advantage to getting up your pole), or too close to where something could climb the fence and jump over. Mine may be about 6-7 ft away and is slightly downhill from my pole anyway.
dancingirl76
Top
flyin-lowe
Posts: 3792
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
Location: Indiana/Henry Co.

My housing is near a barbed wire fence and I don't have any issues with it. I moved it far enough away so my lawn mower could fit though (50 inch deck) so that should keep it far enough away that a predator could not jump from the fence to the pole. You definitely want to be able to mow around the pole, at least I do.
2026 HOSP 29
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
Top
M.Stephens
Posts: 1130
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:14 pm
Location: Texas/Texarkana

I have 9 martin house poles in a 31x61 ft. barbed wire fence.
All of my housing is 7 or 8 ft. away from the fence . I wouldn't put it closer than that.
A predator could probably jump or climb the pole if you are too close.
Malcolm
2015 (110 nesting pair)
2014 (92 nesting pair)
2013 (75 nesting pair)
2012 (35 nesting pair)
2011 (20 pair)
____________
PMCA Member
Top
Jeremy Shuler
Posts: 94
Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:51 pm
Location: Missouri,Trenton

I use the fence posts of my barbed wire fence as stability for the poles haven't had any trouble with the martins not liking it. My poles are also 17ft tall
Jeremy Shuler
2009-housing up late 1 SY male for a month
2010-2 ASY pairs- fledged 9
2011- 5 ASY pairs building nests and 2 SY pairs several SY males
Top
Guest

I have a 4' chain fence about 15' from the martin pole. They sat on the top rail of the fence many times before I put up a perch stand.
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Purple Martin Forum”