Last night was a GOOD NIGHT, the OWL did not show up.....for y'all mentioning the dogs, our Yorkies, WE NEVER leave them alone outside at night, we stay with them until they do their business, just for fear of the OWLS...so we do the lookout to try to scare any of them and then stay with the dogs until they are finish.
I would like info Mike on how to build a guard, I just don't want it to be very big...we live in a subdivision with a HOA, I am sure my neighbors probably don't appreciate my Purple Martins but the heck with them.
Thanks all, hopefully tonight will be better...Interesting about the light situation...I guess that will be a NO GO...Maybe I should play Rock Music but how LOUD to not get the neighbors MAD...we live close to each other....
:)Sheryle
P.S. I did wake-up twice last night and went outside to inspect..just couldn't sleep very well. What is very interesting is I haven't seen very many hawk attacks this year, very, very strange...knock on wood.
Things are not looking Good:(((( GHO!!!!!
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Ken&Sheryle - TX
- Posts: 649
- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 2:21 pm
- Location: Helotes/Texas
Martin's Rule!!!!!!!!!
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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
One predator tends to keep other predators away, so maybe the owl and the hawks are not friends. I have seen crows in serious fights with both hawks and owls. Some say large hawks keep away small hawks. Maybe its best to leave things just as they are if the hawks are staying away.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
I understand your concerns about the HOA and the cage dimensions. Because of the design of the Goliad house, the dimensions must be 5 x 5 to allow you to do nest checks and remove the nest inserts, if you use them. The 4 x 2 dog wire is not very visible from a distance, but having had a lot of experiences with HOA's, you will have to make that judgment. For each cage you will need a 3ft roll of 4 x 2 wire. It won't take the entire roll, but about 80%. A packet of 100 wire ties, 4 3ft 1/4 x 20 threaded rods, 4 2ft threaded rods, 4 connectors.
Connect each 2ft and 3ft rod and tighten. Insert the 3 ft end into the 2 vent holes in the top compartment. The connector will butt up against the house, leaving equal lengths on both sides. Slip the other two joined rods under the house eaves, resting on top of the other rods. This will give you a stable platform to work on. Secure all of the rods with wire ties. Cut two pieces of wire 24 inches by 5 ft and attach to each side of the house, using the exterior rods to anchor the long dimension. Measure the space between the 2 panels and cut wire to fir and secure with wire ties. Cut 4 3ft x 28 inch panels and 4 2ft x 28 inch panels, cut so that the 4 inch dimension is running parallel to the ground, This is important to allow the birds quick access on entry. Assemble and wire tie all of the sides and corners for stability. I cut one center wire on each side to give them a 4 x 4 entry, which some use and some don't. I outlined that opening with foil as a visual aid so I could tell if they were using it. If you precut everything, you only have to have the house lowered for about an hour and a half. I hope this helps. I feel sort of like the guy that when asked the time, tells you how to build a clock:)
Connect each 2ft and 3ft rod and tighten. Insert the 3 ft end into the 2 vent holes in the top compartment. The connector will butt up against the house, leaving equal lengths on both sides. Slip the other two joined rods under the house eaves, resting on top of the other rods. This will give you a stable platform to work on. Secure all of the rods with wire ties. Cut two pieces of wire 24 inches by 5 ft and attach to each side of the house, using the exterior rods to anchor the long dimension. Measure the space between the 2 panels and cut wire to fir and secure with wire ties. Cut 4 3ft x 28 inch panels and 4 2ft x 28 inch panels, cut so that the 4 inch dimension is running parallel to the ground, This is important to allow the birds quick access on entry. Assemble and wire tie all of the sides and corners for stability. I cut one center wire on each side to give them a 4 x 4 entry, which some use and some don't. I outlined that opening with foil as a visual aid so I could tell if they were using it. If you precut everything, you only have to have the house lowered for about an hour and a half. I hope this helps. I feel sort of like the guy that when asked the time, tells you how to build a clock:)
- Attachments
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- Maple, Cage ,Martins 017.JPG (90.66 KiB) Viewed 2976 times
Mike Morgan
2009-4 Pair,24 Eggs,23 Fledged. 12 Cavities
2010- 18 Pair, 96 Eggs, 86 Fledged. 18 Cavities
2011- 23 Pair, 113 Eggs, 99 Hatched, 93 Fledged 24 Cavities.
2012-22 Pair, 109 Eggs, 95 Hatched, 89 Fledged
2013-19 Pair, 89 Eggs, 77 Hatched, 77 Fledged.
2009-4 Pair,24 Eggs,23 Fledged. 12 Cavities
2010- 18 Pair, 96 Eggs, 86 Fledged. 18 Cavities
2011- 23 Pair, 113 Eggs, 99 Hatched, 93 Fledged 24 Cavities.
2012-22 Pair, 109 Eggs, 95 Hatched, 89 Fledged
2013-19 Pair, 89 Eggs, 77 Hatched, 77 Fledged.
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Peggy Riley
- Posts: 885
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:21 pm
- Location: TX/Tolar
That's a good looking guard Mike!
PMCA Member
2017 101 pair
2017 101 pair
Sheryl you are so lucky....I am just south of you at 1604 and 471. I have not gotten any Martins this year. Same set up as had since 95. Upgraded and had them last year. I see them feeding over head but none have even checked out my set up....I am so discouraged. I am fighting nasties, keep cleaning out the gourds and house.....Bout read to give up........Sorry bout your owl.
GOD Bless
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Ken&Sheryle - TX
- Posts: 649
- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 2:21 pm
- Location: Helotes/Texas
Meem,
Don't give up on getting Purple Martins....this is how we attracted our Purple Martins....the last house we lived for 7 years and it was a battle with the sparrows but we won however we played the Dawn Song in the morning and before long we got one and then two and after 7 years we had a colony...two houses...then we moved:( Sad to leave the house knowing what would happen to the birds...we went to our new house not very far away..in Helotes and the very first year we played the Dawn Song..and remember try to make sure your houses are not close to trees, and we got one..just getting ONE will attract others, now we have been here 10 years and have a good amount...over 40...today we did a nest check...16 eggs, of course not in one room...What kind of house do you have...IT is a MUST that you keep the sparrows out..if you have crescent holes that will help with the Starlings...it should be easy in TEXAS...someone said if you hang a boot outside in TX a Martin will build in it...don't give up..the subbies are coming now...good time to get some of them...Also put some decoys, Purple Martins up on your houses..that helps too...if you need anything, let me know okay...Good luck..and haven't seen the owl in a couple of days..thank goodness.
:)Sheryle
Don't give up on getting Purple Martins....this is how we attracted our Purple Martins....the last house we lived for 7 years and it was a battle with the sparrows but we won however we played the Dawn Song in the morning and before long we got one and then two and after 7 years we had a colony...two houses...then we moved:( Sad to leave the house knowing what would happen to the birds...we went to our new house not very far away..in Helotes and the very first year we played the Dawn Song..and remember try to make sure your houses are not close to trees, and we got one..just getting ONE will attract others, now we have been here 10 years and have a good amount...over 40...today we did a nest check...16 eggs, of course not in one room...What kind of house do you have...IT is a MUST that you keep the sparrows out..if you have crescent holes that will help with the Starlings...it should be easy in TEXAS...someone said if you hang a boot outside in TX a Martin will build in it...don't give up..the subbies are coming now...good time to get some of them...Also put some decoys, Purple Martins up on your houses..that helps too...if you need anything, let me know okay...Good luck..and haven't seen the owl in a couple of days..thank goodness.
:)Sheryle
Martin's Rule!!!!!!!!!