How important is house distance to surrounding trees in SC?

[Guest]

I'm a 2012 rookie to the PM world. I live in Myrtle Beach, SC and I just built and erected my 1st ever house about 4 weeks ago. Before doing so, I researched this and may other websites to learn as much as I could about being a PM landlord. My question is in regards to the house's location to surrounding trees. Everything I've read states that PM houses should be in the open (~30-40 feet away from any trees).

I'd like your guys thoughts/suggestions on just how important this is in the south? Some forums I've read indicate that the distance isn't too important especially in the southern states.

Due to the lack of available "open areas" in my yard, I rolled the dice and had to place my PM house roughly 15-20 away from a very tall surrounding tree-line. The trees themselves are huge and tower well above the height of my house. There's still plenty of open flying room on the sides, but I'm worried that its close proximity to the tree-line will discourage any martins from nesting.

I've attached a pic of my house to help you see its set-up. While the pic makes it seem more dense than it really is, I can assure you the spot where I'm standing when I took the picture is wide open to the left, right and directly behind me.

Based on my current situation, am I wasting my time trying to get PMs, or am I overreacting? I appreciate any comments/suggestions.

[DornCounty]

Welcome...

Novice here so beware of my advice ...

Well to me if that's the best place on your property, that's all you need to know. Just do everything you can to make it an easy choice for the birds.

For sure keep the Sparrows and starlings out.

[Louise Chambers]

It looks like the house is placed in an area with shrubs all around it? Can you move it into the open area you describe as being in front of the house? The present location does not look promising BUT that does not mean it's not worth a try.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Openness is just as important in the South as any other place, but usually there are more martins in the South so they are forced to take undesirable places. I have several neighbors trying to attract martins but their housing is too close to trees so the houses remain empty.

I would move the house to the most open place on your property, and hope for the best...good luck

[GeneP]

My opinion is that you're never wasting time by trying to attract martins.

Is your location the best, probably not. But that doesn't mean you can't attract martins. It would be a lot easier if you had an acre of treeless land but you don't.

My advice, put some guards on that pole, for both snakes and 4 footed predators. Snakes can climb that pole easily.

Keep House Sparrows out along with Starlings since you're using round openings. I don't know if your house has access to the nest, it absolutely should.

Play the dawnsong, get the CD and play the heck out of it as much as you can.

Put up decoys, place nesting materials inside.

Don't do this unless you're committed. Don't play the cd a couple of times and say it didn't work. You'll have to work at it.

There are people who have ideal locations in areas where there are martins but they never get martins. I think some of these people try for a while early in the season and then give up. Don't do that. Keep going all the way into August.

Then see what you get next year.

[Greg]

Welcome! I think its always worth trying unless you are in the woods! I am in NC and I attracted 2 pairs to my housing that is located about 30 feet from a line of pines similar to yours. Rather than distance from any trees, I think it is more important for them to have open fly-ways to their nesting cavities. Make sure that you situate the orientation of the house so that the direct fly-ways to the cavities are the best you can provide on your property. Stand at different places in your yard and look in all directions to see which directions have the most unobstructed flyways. I think your biggest hindrance of attracting martins may be the close proximity of the shrubs to the pole. Is there an area without the shrubs? Or can you cut/mow down all the small shrubs and trees near the base of the pole? That's what I would do. SC is martin country, so the martins may be a little more forgiving. But you still want to maximize your chances. Slash those shrubs!!!!
Good luck!

[Eddie McKnight]

Hawk predation in coastal SC is HIGH pressure. I am 80-120 feet from the nearest trees and old Hawkeye sits right up there and zooms in like lightning even from that far away....

[~Ray~Gingerich]

I would move it to the center of your most open space, if it's close to the house that will not matter too much,but close to those trees is a big no. Hang a few gourds under the house if you can.