Poles - Lightning Rods!

[katkola]

I have a question about the metal poles for my gourds. I have a neighbor who says they are like lightning rods. I was talking about leaving them up all year because It's getting difficult for me to put them up every year. Does anyone have some knowledge about this?

I did have lightning strike one of my poles several years ago. It blew up the Martin house that I was using at that time. I now use only super gourds.

Thanks!
Kat

[M.Stephens]

I would say if it happened to you again I would go play the lottery !!

[~Ray~Gingerich]

Lightning hit the old farm house where I grew up at twice. The first time it broke off the top of our brick chimney. The second strike was years later, my brother was in his bed room when lightning hit a roof valley and blasted an 8" hole into the bedroom ceiling, the only other damage was an electrical outlet knocked out.

[Hanover Bill]

Hi Kat;

Lightning has always been a concern for me, ever since I first started trying to attract Martins. It would seem that the metal poles would indeed act as lightning rods.

I inquired about this very thing when starting out, and was informed that it really doesn't seem to be a problem, as much as that seems to be contrary to all of the science we learned growing up. And yet through the years I have never even once seen anyone post on the forum about a lightning strike on a housing pole, so apparently it is not a big problem. I wouldn't be overly concerned about it.

Have a great Martin season.

Hanover Bill.

[JL Murray]

Ask yourself this...How many flag poles have you ever seen that were struck by lightning...Martin House and Gourd Rack poles are no different.

[DAVE]

I'm not sure if mine would get struck. But I'm trying a little protection by putting a wood cap on the top. Not sure this will work but who knows.
Dave

[linsue]

I was also concerned when we put the metal pole up 10 years ago. Not only is it the highest thing out there, it is attached to a dock piling and the pole rests on the bottom of the lake. We have had some terrible storms but thankfully, lightening has never struck the PM pole. Good luck and hope you have a very successful martin season.

[Craig Dyer]

Have never had lightening strike any of my poles. I have lowered my housing many times at the approach of ominous looking storms with distant lightening & thunder. I get a spooky feeling while gripping the winch, and am always relieved when the house is down and I am clear of the pole and not crispy fried.

[JL Murray]

Ditto what Craig said!

[Laurie]

It's rare, but it does happen. Our purple martin house was struck in May of 2015, and we lost 8 adults and 9 babies. One of the most heartbreaking things I have ever seen...I'm still not over it.

I've read through the posts on this thread and wondered if there is anything additional anyone may have to suggest?

[Brad Biddle]

Lightning hit one of my poles several years ago. It blew the top half of the gourd rack apart. It was in the fall of the year so no birds were here. A wood block on top of the pole will not prevent or deter a lightning strike. If lightning hits a rack full of occupied gourds, Martins are unfortunately going to die. I don't know anything that can lessen the severity of a lightning strike to a pole. Maybe running a copper ground wire down the pole like they do on power poles will help. Even with that, it's still going to kill Martins. Things die every day. Martins are wild animals no matter how much we want to pamper and protect them, things die. It's just the reality of the situation.

Metal poles are lightning rods.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

I have had metal poles for about 40 years, and never had lightening strike the housing. Its just something that will happen occasionally, a bit like a hurricane or a tornado knocking down the housing. I do not worry about it. If it does strike, it will only hit 1 pole. And for sure, its difficult to stop, it has too much power.

Brad Biddle, its good to see that you still are interested in martins. I hope that you are doing fine.

[Brad Biddle]

Hey Emil! Yes I'm still interested in them, I suspect I always will be. I just don't have time to fool with them at will like I use to. I found out owning a business is more time consuming than working for someone else. Is Thurman doing okay? I have lost touch with everyone that I use to talk to about Martins.

[John Miller]

Brad...I'm also glad to see your post. When I saw your name, I thought, Brad will reassure me about lightening strikes. But No! just the hard facts. But good to see you posting. Take care of your martins.

John Miller

[Siberman]

I would like to caution y'all about lowering the poles at the last minute . If you can hear thunder you're within striking distance .

Keep up with the local weather and be prepared .