Aggressive martin
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~Ray~Gingerich
- Posts: 2122
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: Delaware/Dover
When I installed my new pole I didn't bury the electric wire between the last pole and the new one so this afternoon I went out to do that. Well there seems to be a very aggressive ASY male holed up in that last rack who didn't want me messing with anything near his pole, he dive bombed me multiple times zipping past just inches from my head at high speed. I managed to get a few pictures
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
Beautiful last picture. The Jaws of the bug sky 
.
.2009. 98 eggs, 66 hatch, 61 fledged.
2010. 114 eggs, 89 hatch,70 fledged.
2011. 96 eggs. 80 hatch,68 fledged.Heavy Merlin preditation.
2012. 89 eggs. 56 hatch, good fledge. Guards installed. Merlin not sighted at houses.
2013. First Egg May 24, first Baby June 13.
2014. successful.
2015. successful.
2016. Martin's population decline, suspect new housing in the neighborhood. Merlin eating well also!
2017.Population explosion
. first egg May 25 in a BO-11
2018. Population stable.
2010. 114 eggs, 89 hatch,70 fledged.
2011. 96 eggs. 80 hatch,68 fledged.Heavy Merlin preditation.
2012. 89 eggs. 56 hatch, good fledge. Guards installed. Merlin not sighted at houses.
2013. First Egg May 24, first Baby June 13.
2014. successful.
2015. successful.
2016. Martin's population decline, suspect new housing in the neighborhood. Merlin eating well also!
2017.Population explosion
. first egg May 25 in a BO-112018. Population stable.
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M.Stephens
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:14 pm
- Location: Texas/Texarkana
Ray,
It looks like he's screaching at you too!
How do you insulate your wires from the ground after you have spliced them together? Electrical tape, pvc?
It looks like he's screaching at you too!
How do you insulate your wires from the ground after you have spliced them together? Electrical tape, pvc?
Malcolm
2015 (110 nesting pair)
2014 (92 nesting pair)
2013 (75 nesting pair)
2012 (35 nesting pair)
2011 (20 pair)
____________
PMCA Member
2015 (110 nesting pair)
2014 (92 nesting pair)
2013 (75 nesting pair)
2012 (35 nesting pair)
2011 (20 pair)
____________
PMCA Member
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Diane Porter
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:30 am
- Location: Iowa
What is the electric wire for?
Diane Porter
Fairfield, Iowa
Fairfield, Iowa
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~Ray~Gingerich
- Posts: 2122
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: Delaware/Dover
The wire I use between my poles has a thick insulation coating so I can bury the wire, at the pole I leave about 18" out of the ground then I strip the ends for splices. I just leave the splices bare as the wire is very stiff and stays in place. I could wrap the splice with electrical tape but the bare
splice offers a little extra protection a few inches out from the pole. If you bend the wire upwards there is no danger of it falling back down to the ground, it's so stiff you need heavy duty pliers to make the splice.
Diane.. underground leads for my electric predator guards, best predator protection there is in my opinion.
I believe this is the same martin that made such a big fuss last season when I put a decoy on his rack....caused a big commotion for over an hour until I took the decoy down, didn't want to attract a hawk
splice offers a little extra protection a few inches out from the pole. If you bend the wire upwards there is no danger of it falling back down to the ground, it's so stiff you need heavy duty pliers to make the splice.
Diane.. underground leads for my electric predator guards, best predator protection there is in my opinion.
I believe this is the same martin that made such a big fuss last season when I put a decoy on his rack....caused a big commotion for over an hour until I took the decoy down, didn't want to attract a hawk
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
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Don~VA
- Posts: 391
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:01 am
- Location: Virginia/King George
- Martin Colony History: Had a colony many years ago which dwindled over a couple of years and then did not return. Kept trying each year for almost 20 years and finally had a small success in 2011 with two pairs nesting. Colony has grown slowly each year with 22 pairs in 2015. In 2016 my gourd rack of 18 gourds filled up so I added 4 more gourds and then put up a small rack of 6 gourds. All of those were claimed within a few days so I believe I have at least 25 pairs this year.
I love your photos Ray! It really looks like he is out for business and you captured his expression perfectly. 
Don~Northern Neck of Virginia-PMCA Member
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dhjohnson
- Posts: 478
- Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:24 pm
- Location: North Carolina/Clayton
- Martin Colony History: 5th year hostess. Currently 58 confirmed breeding pair. 218 Fledged, 35 older nestlings, 2 new nests with 8 nestlings. 100% occupancy
Love the pictures Ray!
He was definately giving you the what for! That is a very secure protective gesture that announces his claim to all those brave enough to venture in!
Best wishes for a successful 2013 season!
Debbie
He was definately giving you the what for! That is a very secure protective gesture that announces his claim to all those brave enough to venture in!
Best wishes for a successful 2013 season!
Debbie
Debbie Johnson
Clayton/NC (Archer Lodge)
2012 New Site 6 pair, 21 Fledged
2013 24 pair, 102 eggs, 94 hatched, 89 Fledged. What a great year!
2014 37 pair, 211 eggs, 193 Hatched, 178 Fledged, 1 nest of 5 young left! Late start but picked up speed quickly!
Clayton/NC (Archer Lodge)
2012 New Site 6 pair, 21 Fledged
2013 24 pair, 102 eggs, 94 hatched, 89 Fledged. What a great year!
2014 37 pair, 211 eggs, 193 Hatched, 178 Fledged, 1 nest of 5 young left! Late start but picked up speed quickly!
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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.
Yep they made me literally laugh out loud! Deb
PMCA MEMBER
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
Pratt County, Kansas
2016 34 PAIR
2015 27 PAIR
2014 23 PAIR
2013 13 PAIR
2012 6 PAIR
2011 4 PAIR
2010 2 PAIR
2009 1 PAIR
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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.
Now if they could just do that to every starling and sparrow that dare venture near. lol.
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DakotaLady
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
- Location: Bismarck, ND
Ray,
Great photos! You made me laugh out loud. I had a martin like that last year. I believe he is back again this year but has not started his attacks. Last year he did not dive bomb me either until he had babies.
Good luck with your aggressive martin.
Great photos! You made me laugh out loud. I had a martin like that last year. I believe he is back again this year but has not started his attacks. Last year he did not dive bomb me either until he had babies.
Good luck with your aggressive martin.
~Tangula~
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
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AvianStewardess
- Posts: 342
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2012 3:10 pm
- Location: Maryland/Cambridge
Those are really cool shots, Ray! Are you using a DLSR camera, one with an interchangeable lens? If so, then me thinks it is time for a sensor cleaning on it. If not, then Wow! your site has some great bug selection. 
~Michelle
PMCA Member
Heritage Farm Quad Pod Systems
PMCA Member
Heritage Farm Quad Pod Systems
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~Ray~Gingerich
- Posts: 2122
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: Delaware/Dover
Nope, not a DSLR just a powershot SX30. Glad you all like the pictures.
Did a nest check yesterday and of course he was at it again, he's getting a little cocky though by zipping through my hair.
Did a nest check yesterday and of course he was at it again, he's getting a little cocky though by zipping through my hair.
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
No matter how gloomy the day started, that always makes me break out in a grin :-)...when the ones in my old housing went after the UPS man it really made my day. He was a city dweller I think and all he could manage to say was "those BIRDS" hehehehe...
Bill
Bill