I have a T14 with gourds underneath and a bluebird box mounted about 37 feet from the south side of the T14, and another bluebird gourd mounted 37 feet from the north side of the same pole. I have TS that have claimed the gourd and have a fairly complete nest formed, minus the feathers. The other house had bluebirds nesting in it until yesterday. When I got home, I noticed that a pair of TS had claimed that box as well. I checked inside and found no sign of eggs in this box, but the bluebird pair has disappeared. So, now I have a pair of TS on both sides of my T14. As mentioned in previous posts, I am starting over trying to attract my first pair of martins to my yard.
So, do TS have the ability to drive a bluebird pair away? Also, will a pair of TS on either side of the T14 keep any inspecting martins from checking out my house? Is it too early to open a few compartments on the T14, or do I have to wait until some TS eggs are found in both boxes?
Thanks for your thoughts on this!!
RE: Tree Swallow Question vs. Opening Martin House
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BIOteacher012
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2012 3:19 pm
- Location: Wisconsin/Montello
BrianT
2017 38 nesting pairs, 181 fledged
2016 22 nesting pairs, 113 fledged
2015 20 nesting pairs, 91 fledged
2014 10 nesting pairs, 49 fledged
2013 4 nesting pairs, 15 fledged
2012 Lots of lookers but no nesters
2017 38 nesting pairs, 181 fledged
2016 22 nesting pairs, 113 fledged
2015 20 nesting pairs, 91 fledged
2014 10 nesting pairs, 49 fledged
2013 4 nesting pairs, 15 fledged
2012 Lots of lookers but no nesters
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Jim Spetzman
- Posts: 77
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 8:26 am
- Location: Minnesota, Forest Lake
I put up 2 houses, one on each side of my Martin houses. They are about 20ft from the houses and I have TS in each of them in addition, I have 2 pair of TS making nests in some of my 40 Martin cavities and I have about 20 pairs of Martins and the all seem to get along fine. I have a pole for them to perch on and the TS and the Martins sit side by side on the perches. Jim
TS can drive away a BB pair if they havnt begun nesting yet and the male is not very territorial. But TS and BB can live in harmony. Some people even mount 2 houses on one pole back to back, and will get a a pair of TS in one and BB in the other.
I advise you put up more houses. I have hear that TS can be very demanding in their search for nesting sites, the more houses you have available the better chance of them staying out of your martin house. If both of your boxes are claimed then you could have more TS looking for a home.
With your houses being 37 feet those pairs could protect your martin house from other TS. Their territory is about 30-35 feet I have read. But more houses could never hurt! They are beautiful birds to watch too! I have a pair building a nest now too!
I advise you put up more houses. I have hear that TS can be very demanding in their search for nesting sites, the more houses you have available the better chance of them staying out of your martin house. If both of your boxes are claimed then you could have more TS looking for a home.
With your houses being 37 feet those pairs could protect your martin house from other TS. Their territory is about 30-35 feet I have read. But more houses could never hurt! They are beautiful birds to watch too! I have a pair building a nest now too!
2nd Year trying to attract martins! Wish me luck!
I had the same thing happen here this year. So I tryed an experiment. I moved the box that the Blue Birds were in at 12 feet from the Tree Swallows box. The Tree Swallows that took over the Blue Bird Box were chased off by the other Tree Swallows and the Blue Birds moved back in 3 days later. Now the Blue Birds had a good nest so I figured that they just might come and investigate, they did and are still here 
. Something you might want to try.
Dave
. Something you might want to try.Dave