I do have to vent...female ASY martin murdered on her porch!
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ROBINMOULIERE
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:00 pm
- Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
Keith was watching martins on Trendsetter 28 Friday afternoon. We have over 30 at our colony now. He installed nest cam on outside perch rods so I can enjoy from house until nests. Anyway, a female was sitting on her perch rod when Keith went inside, and when he looked through the window......he saw a loggerhead shrike jump on her and peck and tear at her before he could get out there, most of her body had been eaten...:(...We are certain it was loggerhead because we have seen it sitting on our mailbox out front over the last few days and thought, what a weird looking mockingbird, so I looked it up...I realize the balance of life is necessary...but I have plenty of dumb sparrows yapping around my area to choose from....ugh !!!! I know, Mrs. Louise, be kind, but gosh darn...they come so far and then tragedy!!! He better MOVE ON...ugh!!!! Am I the only person who gets this weird mess happen to them????
Robin's Nest for purple martins in memory of Mr. Bands. (Mr. Bands came 2010 from New Jersey as a 2 year old. 2011, he CAME BACK TO US, but found dead inside a cavity at start of 2011 season.) 2010- 53 fledged, 2011- 75 fledged, 2012- 109 fledged. Using 2 28 Trendsetter units.
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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
Sorry to hear that. No, you are not alone.
We lost one to a hawk 2 days ago, the hawk came right before dark, got within 20 feet of my wife and I, we were under the gourd racks. It seems like the hawks look for any distraction (people under the poles, cat or dog under the pole, fighting martins, people walking away from the poles, etc.)..they are so fast its unreal.
Sometimes the human laws seem to favor certain species of birds or animals.
Its ok to lose a few martins, but its not ok to lose a hawk....hmmm... But, we must follow the laws, they are there for reasons that we sometimes do not understand, other people may like a hawk better, etc. Nature will allow many problems to solve themselves. I just wish that they would catch some of the sparrows that are wrecking havoc at our place now.
We lost one to a hawk 2 days ago, the hawk came right before dark, got within 20 feet of my wife and I, we were under the gourd racks. It seems like the hawks look for any distraction (people under the poles, cat or dog under the pole, fighting martins, people walking away from the poles, etc.)..they are so fast its unreal.
Sometimes the human laws seem to favor certain species of birds or animals.
Its ok to lose a few martins, but its not ok to lose a hawk....hmmm... But, we must follow the laws, they are there for reasons that we sometimes do not understand, other people may like a hawk better, etc. Nature will allow many problems to solve themselves. I just wish that they would catch some of the sparrows that are wrecking havoc at our place now.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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DebA
- Posts: 1941
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
- Location: Pratt County/Kansas
- Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.
I'm so sorry, Robin. The losses really do hurt. Hang in there.
Deb
Deb
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ROBINMOULIERE
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:00 pm
- Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
Thank you for taking time to console me. I take these things personally and want revenge for underdog in situations.....
I agree with Louise, it was hungry, and they don't usually take martins, so it must have been desperate. I have a game warden in the family, and I understand the circle of life, but gosh darn, there is so much other to pick on. She was just easy prey for him, grrh.
I feel for you also, with your loss. I hate these things occur, but then again I am worried for my little bunny family we found living in my bushes around the house.. have 3 new hawks that blessed us with their apperance this past fall. If they get out in the open of my yard as there are not many trees at all..... I wish hawks would MOVE ON too!!!
Wishing us all a great season, thank you for this forum to vent, my friends don't understand my attachment to my martins......it is deeply rooted!!!
Thank you for this forum. I have learned so much and this is my first year on here!!!
I agree with Louise, it was hungry, and they don't usually take martins, so it must have been desperate. I have a game warden in the family, and I understand the circle of life, but gosh darn, there is so much other to pick on. She was just easy prey for him, grrh.
I feel for you also, with your loss. I hate these things occur, but then again I am worried for my little bunny family we found living in my bushes around the house.. have 3 new hawks that blessed us with their apperance this past fall. If they get out in the open of my yard as there are not many trees at all..... I wish hawks would MOVE ON too!!!
Wishing us all a great season, thank you for this forum to vent, my friends don't understand my attachment to my martins......it is deeply rooted!!!
Thank you for this forum. I have learned so much and this is my first year on here!!!
Robin's Nest for purple martins in memory of Mr. Bands. (Mr. Bands came 2010 from New Jersey as a 2 year old. 2011, he CAME BACK TO US, but found dead inside a cavity at start of 2011 season.) 2010- 53 fledged, 2011- 75 fledged, 2012- 109 fledged. Using 2 28 Trendsetter units.
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Sharon - Central TX
- Posts: 696
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:20 pm
- Location: Central TX
- Martin Colony History: All Troyer Horizontal Gourds with Conley Entrances
PMCA Member since 2004
We have lost several martins already this season due to hawks. I feel like y'all do. Why can't they go after the sparrows or the starlings!
I don't know if this is unusual but one hawk chased a Martin right to its porch right on his tail. Fortunately the Martin made it in the gourd by just a hair (or feather in this case) but that darned hawk sat on the porch until I went out and chased him away. Then he kept coming back and would sit on a porch waiting for a Martin to come out. Now that's just not playing fair!
Apparently our place is on their radar now. I hate it. The martins don't hang around at all during the day. If they are here, they stay in their gourds. But I don't see them flying around much at all. Then when they do get low I just want them to go higher or quickly get into a gourd. It's taken the pleasure out of watching them:-(.
Sharon
So. Central TX
I don't know if this is unusual but one hawk chased a Martin right to its porch right on his tail. Fortunately the Martin made it in the gourd by just a hair (or feather in this case) but that darned hawk sat on the porch until I went out and chased him away. Then he kept coming back and would sit on a porch waiting for a Martin to come out. Now that's just not playing fair!
Apparently our place is on their radar now. I hate it. The martins don't hang around at all during the day. If they are here, they stay in their gourds. But I don't see them flying around much at all. Then when they do get low I just want them to go higher or quickly get into a gourd. It's taken the pleasure out of watching them:-(.
Sharon
So. Central TX
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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
This morning, there was a hawk sitting in a neighbors tree, just about 100ft from the nearest pole. I try to scare them away when there are martins coming in at night (or if they are socializing). I do a hawk patrol, and I have 2 pieces of 2x4 boards (12inches long). I clapp them together. The hawks try to dodge, its funny, but they make a quick turn and clapping the boards together really scares the hawks. The more often that I do that, the less I see of the hawks
Side effect: The neighbors may think that I am crazy...
Side effect: The neighbors may think that I am crazy...
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Sharon - Central TX
- Posts: 696
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:20 pm
- Location: Central TX
- Martin Colony History: All Troyer Horizontal Gourds with Conley Entrances
PMCA Member since 2004
Emil,
Do the boards ever scare the martins? When the hawk was sitting on one of the porches my husband went out and yelled loudly clapping his hands. Apparently it not only scared the hawk but at the same time scared a Martin out of his gourd and the hawk immediately grabbed him.
Our martins don't do any socializing when they come in at night. If we're not watching closely, they zip into their gourds so fast we miss them. Once they're in they stay in. At least they are aware and try to protect themselves.
Sharon
Do the boards ever scare the martins? When the hawk was sitting on one of the porches my husband went out and yelled loudly clapping his hands. Apparently it not only scared the hawk but at the same time scared a Martin out of his gourd and the hawk immediately grabbed him.
Our martins don't do any socializing when they come in at night. If we're not watching closely, they zip into their gourds so fast we miss them. Once they're in they stay in. At least they are aware and try to protect themselves.
Sharon
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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
Sharon, I never got close enough to a hawk when they are sitting. I seldom see one sitting on the housing, so it never happened to me...sorry to hear that
The martins do fly up when I clap the gourds, but they come right back
Your martins zipping in at night is a sure sign that there are hawks watching, or hawks or owls have been harassing them
The martins do fly up when I clap the gourds, but they come right back
Your martins zipping in at night is a sure sign that there are hawks watching, or hawks or owls have been harassing them
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
Those shrikes are some tough ornery little birds.. plus that little black mask makes them all the more mean looking.
I have a few shrikes around but I've not seen them go at any other birds. Sorry to hear that. Heck my baby bluebirds died last night. They didn't have feathers yet and I guess it was too cold.
I have a few shrikes around but I've not seen them go at any other birds. Sorry to hear that. Heck my baby bluebirds died last night. They didn't have feathers yet and I guess it was too cold.
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
Shrikes eat birds??? I thought they were insect eaters. I thought maybe the shrike just tangled with the martin and pecked it. I reread your post and it sounds like the shrike was eating the martin.
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ROBINMOULIERE
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:00 pm
- Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
Yes, shrike pecked big holes in the back of the martins head killing it and instantly started tearing the breast off of it before Keith could get outside and scare it away. He is certain it was the shrike because we saw it in our yard on our mailbox at driveway and took a pic and id'd it days before. It looks like a funny marked mockingbird.
We have 3 pair mockingbirds that square off each and every year to raise their young on our 3 acre lot and fight all summer long over "keep your children in your own area!!" ha ha ha...we hear them argue all summer long.
We are certain this little shrike who looks so innocent is definately the one that ATE that female martin....Her little body was just feathers and wings when Keith got to her...it happened so fast he said.......just sad...
I hate to hear about your hawk horrors...we have 3 that appeared this past fall and ate most of my neighbors Euarisan collared doves. I hope they do NOT spot the martins...
I feel terrible for your loss of the baby bluebirds. We never understand these tragedies.....:(
We have 3 pair mockingbirds that square off each and every year to raise their young on our 3 acre lot and fight all summer long over "keep your children in your own area!!" ha ha ha...we hear them argue all summer long.
We are certain this little shrike who looks so innocent is definately the one that ATE that female martin....Her little body was just feathers and wings when Keith got to her...it happened so fast he said.......just sad...
I hate to hear about your hawk horrors...we have 3 that appeared this past fall and ate most of my neighbors Euarisan collared doves. I hope they do NOT spot the martins...
I feel terrible for your loss of the baby bluebirds. We never understand these tragedies.....:(
Robin's Nest for purple martins in memory of Mr. Bands. (Mr. Bands came 2010 from New Jersey as a 2 year old. 2011, he CAME BACK TO US, but found dead inside a cavity at start of 2011 season.) 2010- 53 fledged, 2011- 75 fledged, 2012- 109 fledged. Using 2 28 Trendsetter units.
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
Very upsetting. There is little to do after the fact, and it still makes a person angry. I have a large colony and death through all sorts of happening doesn't get any easier through the years. Crazy as it sounds but I have a little area I use as a burial site.. I bury any maritn that loses their life. It does make it a bit easier for me. I'm just a big softy.
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ROBINMOULIERE
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:00 pm
- Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
I share that same sentiment....we have a pet cemetary in our yard with marble markers and caskets. We have a special area for the martins too! Nature is so special. I want to pass with a clean conscience that I helped and took care of the creatures that can't speak for theirselves, even with a burial. I am glad to know there are others like me. Afterall, each life should be handled with respect. God is so wonderful and magnificent ...take care.....and thank you all for allowing me to vent
Robin's Nest for purple martins in memory of Mr. Bands. (Mr. Bands came 2010 from New Jersey as a 2 year old. 2011, he CAME BACK TO US, but found dead inside a cavity at start of 2011 season.) 2010- 53 fledged, 2011- 75 fledged, 2012- 109 fledged. Using 2 28 Trendsetter units.
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
Yeah the shrikes look very similar to mocking birds.. they have that "black mask" to maintain anonymity. I never realized they could attack other birds like that.
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abernathys
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 8:40 am
- Location: maxwell/texas
Hey Robin--I am sorry to hear about your martin. 
We have shrikes in our yard and yes they will attack the martins. We have never lost any adult martins to them but we lost mockingbird babies, field sparrow babies and a couple of martin babies that were pushed out of the gourds and were not able to maintain their flying abilities.
Most of the time shrikes will eat insects and small birds. They like to impel their prey on barb wire fences or trees limbs and eat them.
We do not have many english sparrows but we do get maybe 10 or so during martin season and it seems that they never mess with them. It is frustrating.
I also have a hawk that is hanging around, to my knowledge he has only gotten 1 of our PM's. He usually likes to come in in the evening flying low to the ground and flares up at the gourds hoping to flush a martin, but I start clapping and yelling and it does distract him enough to turn quickly and leave. I hope that you do not loose any more martins. I have an owl that has appeared 2 days ago. Now I get to do owl patrol, sometimes it seems never ending. But I will do my best to protect my martins! We also have a PM burial ground. I hope your season turns out good!
Sandy
We have shrikes in our yard and yes they will attack the martins. We have never lost any adult martins to them but we lost mockingbird babies, field sparrow babies and a couple of martin babies that were pushed out of the gourds and were not able to maintain their flying abilities.
Most of the time shrikes will eat insects and small birds. They like to impel their prey on barb wire fences or trees limbs and eat them.
We do not have many english sparrows but we do get maybe 10 or so during martin season and it seems that they never mess with them. It is frustrating.
I also have a hawk that is hanging around, to my knowledge he has only gotten 1 of our PM's. He usually likes to come in in the evening flying low to the ground and flares up at the gourds hoping to flush a martin, but I start clapping and yelling and it does distract him enough to turn quickly and leave. I hope that you do not loose any more martins. I have an owl that has appeared 2 days ago. Now I get to do owl patrol, sometimes it seems never ending. But I will do my best to protect my martins! We also have a PM burial ground. I hope your season turns out good!
Sandy
PM lover
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salandry54
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:37 am
- Location: Louisiana/Jeanerette
We have had 2 PMs taken by a hawk already this season! We try to go out every evening if we can because it comes in the morning AND each evening ---- it knows the routine of the Martins!! I am so disgusted! And, to top it off...on the other side of our home, we feed the birds and have a TON of "junk" birds --- flocks of blackbirds and cowbirds...but the hawk chooses to take the Martins! UGH!!
We also have shrikes, but I have not seen them attack the Martins --- this better not be a problem too!
We also have shrikes, but I have not seen them attack the Martins --- this better not be a problem too!
Stephen & Annette Landry
Jeanerette, Louisiana
Jeanerette, Louisiana
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ROBINMOULIERE
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:00 pm
- Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
I agree dsonyay, they are certainly mad masked !! lol. I hope your season goes well. It is March 22 and I already have nests...crazy early !!
Sandy, thank you for the consolation. I hate starting out with a death. There is a rainbow though, I have nests already and many subadults that came here in the last two days. Wish you a great season!!
Salandry54, I hate to hear about the hawk. There is so little you can do to protect from them. I have 3 new to my area and the martins gather together and fly around them to chase it away, and I hold my breath, and just can't watch. I wish us both sucess this year!! There is so much other trash to pick from, leave our martins alone, grrrhhh!! I have a busy body shrike that could go too !!
Sandy, thank you for the consolation. I hate starting out with a death. There is a rainbow though, I have nests already and many subadults that came here in the last two days. Wish you a great season!!
Salandry54, I hate to hear about the hawk. There is so little you can do to protect from them. I have 3 new to my area and the martins gather together and fly around them to chase it away, and I hold my breath, and just can't watch. I wish us both sucess this year!! There is so much other trash to pick from, leave our martins alone, grrrhhh!! I have a busy body shrike that could go too !!
Robin's Nest for purple martins in memory of Mr. Bands. (Mr. Bands came 2010 from New Jersey as a 2 year old. 2011, he CAME BACK TO US, but found dead inside a cavity at start of 2011 season.) 2010- 53 fledged, 2011- 75 fledged, 2012- 109 fledged. Using 2 28 Trendsetter units.