Martins using bluebird houses

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Guest

Last year,in my first year of trying to draw martins to my house, I put up one martin apartment house in the proper spot, away from trees and buildings . No takers at all. This year I put another apt. house up a distance from the other one. Again in a proper spot. I also put 2 bluebird houses on my front lawn, also in the open. I had a pair of bluebirds beginning to make a nest in one of the houses when a pair of martins decided they preferred that particular house to make their nest. They kicked out the bluebirds. For next season, should I remove the bluebird houses and strictly use the apt. houses or leave things as they are? As long as they return, I'm fine with the martins making a nest in the bluebird house.
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Ed Svetich-WI
Posts: 815
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.

Snowman,

Since this is somewhat unusual, could you take a picture of your martins and post it on the Forum. I have had martins investigate one of my bluebird houses in the past ,but they could not enter because the entry was too small. What size is the entry hole on your bluebird house?

Thanks,

Ed
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Guest

i would keep them both myself. blue birds are all get. i would also like to see a pic also.
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John Miller
Posts: 4867
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO

You may have tree swallows... smaller than martins with white breasts. I say "may" because they frequently nest in bluebird houses in areas where tree swallows are present..


Welcome to the Forum..hope I have not now run you off!

John M
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tonyg
Posts: 1520
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
Location: Olpe, KS
Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..

What John said... :)
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
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Guest

I would like to thank the people who replied to my post about martins nesting in my bluebird houses. After hearing all the great advice from everyone, I did more investigating, and sure enough I have tree swallows, not martins in my houses. It was a disappointment, but then again, I enjoy the antics, and for sure they are wiping out some bugs. I plan on keeping up the apartment houses till late fall here in Upstate New York, and putting them up by April 1 next season, and hope for the best. Patience is a virtue. I will be reading all the posts and asking questions throughout the rest of this season. And John, you didn't run me off, you actually got me on the right track. Thanks again to all for your help.
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Mike in NC
Posts: 75
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2010 1:29 pm
Location: Graham/North Carolina

Nothing wrong with Tree Swallows - you can put up another bluebird house and have the Bluebirds and Swallows live in close proximity to one another. I've seen recommendations to have the two houses within 10 or 20 yards of each other, but facing opposite directions.

We have Bluebirds and Martins at our place now and I'd like to get some Tree Swallows for the Hat Trick!
2008 - 0
2009 - 0
2010 - 0
2011 - 0
2012 - 3 Nesting Pair / 10 Fledged
2013 - 10 Nesting Pair and still going!
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