Kamikaze Martins

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Buckizig
Posts: 30
Joined: Mon May 31, 2004 3:22 pm
Location: Russells Point Ohio
Martin Colony History: Landlord last year

Ok I'll admit I am new at this but when the martins first arrived I could go and do anything close to the housing. Now that there are eggs and now babies I can't get within twenty yards of the housing without the male, female and another adult male buzzing me. I only have one nesting couple. What does one do for nest checks? Please advise!
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Siberman
Posts: 262
Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:03 pm
Location: Titus County , TX

I'd say just keep going out there until they realize you're not a threat . I had an extremely aggressive male once that finally accepted me but it took a while . He never made actual contact ( unlike Jays or Mockingbirds) .

You haven't seen a real buzzing until you've tried to put a baby Mocker back in its nest. :lol:
2010: 5 pair - raptor attack .
2011 : nada .
2012 : 1 pair - 5 eggs / 5 fledged .
2013: zero
2014: Lots of visitors
2015 : several visitors . Seriously considering purchasing a drone to scare off raptors .
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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. Ignore them and go. Well don't ignore. Talk the whole way. Siberman is right they will start to trust you. Especially after they see their nest is ok after you return the house. Just smile at them and enjoy the interaction.
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
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Buckizig
Posts: 30
Joined: Mon May 31, 2004 3:22 pm
Location: Russells Point Ohio
Martin Colony History: Landlord last year

Well the males are cool but mama still gets upset but got the nest check done. 4 eggs 4 hatched. :lol:
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art
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed May 09, 2012 3:12 pm
Location: Kansas/Holcomb

I once poked my head into a shrub containing a Brown Thrasher nest and the adult literally came out of nowhere and crashed into the side of my head. Felt like I'd been hit with an orange.
arthur nonhof
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SoIndyDon
Posts: 237
Joined: Sat Apr 29, 2006 8:45 am
Location: Indiana/Scottsburg

Full brim hat
Ear plugs, optional
Can't see um. Can't hear um. Can't be bothered by um.
Fledged over 3,000 martins in beautiful southern Indiana since 1996.
Started 2 colonies and mentored 3 colonies with total fledged >4,000 martins into the world.
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Don Troha
Posts: 367
Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:14 pm
Location: Texas/Houston

Babies fledged, nests empty, and the house is quiet except for dusk when a few of the fledglings return to roost for the evening. Middle of the day no Martins around, so I lower the house to do some cleanup and almost immediately five or six angry Martins show up from nowhere dive bombing and squawking. Nothing gets by these birds.
2025 - 15 pair, 56 fledged
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