Darn Starlings hanging out on the ham radio antenna

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Carrera Mike
Posts: 150
Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 10:23 am
Location: Eastern TN, Claiborne County
Martin Colony History: Pls see signature

:cry: :cry: :cry:

Darn starlings weighing down the ham radio antenna elements

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Last edited by Carrera Mike on Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:47 am, edited 2 times in total.
Mike
2020: 11pairs, 51 eggs, 45 fledged
2014: 8 pairs, 43 eggs, 39 fledged
2013: 3 pairs, 8 fledged
2012: 3 pairs, 7 fledged
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~Ray~Gingerich
Posts: 2122
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
Location: Delaware/Dover

Where are the hawks when you need them?
~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
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4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

Carrera,
Now that is a lot of starlings.

72,
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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Archer
Posts: 786
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
Location: Manitoba/Altona
Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.

Wow, looks like you could use some help from this guy.

http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... ht=#224327

How long do they usually stay around?
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
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Chriscreole
Posts: 781
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 9:31 am
Location: Texas, Hutto

Crank up the linear power to high and key it up! Lol
Get yourself a high power pellet rifle with scope, like a Benjamin Marauder, shoot one they will be gone, just shoot one every time they roost in a group, eventually they will see the antenna as a death pole and leave it alone, that's how I trained the starlings HOSP & Grackles, they don't come around anymore either.

BTW, nice set of beams, I'm looking at getting another base station, but they don't manufacture many any more, any suggestions? PM me
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PMCA Member since 2010
Super System 24, All Troyer W/Conley 2 entrances.
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Ladybug
Posts: 243
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
Location: Indiana/ Jamestown
Martin Colony History: 2005-2019. Lots lookers, 2 successful nesting's.
2010-1 pair nested, 4 eggs destroyed(Wren).
2012- 1 pair nested, 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2019- 1 pair nested, 4 eggs, 4 fledged.
2021- 10 pair, 40 babies fledged.
2022- 17 pair, 10 eggs not hatched= appxy. 57 fledged.

TIME FOR A SHOOTING match with SHOTGUNS::
FIRE AWAY AT THOSE TRASH BIRDS.
Still waiting for my Martins to arrive.
Saw 1 Male Bluebird just once 3 days ago.
Male Tree swallow same, not seen since.
Raining, cool today. Need warm temps. like yesterday, 68* Sunny NICE.

PMCA Member.
Joanne
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Carrera Mike
Posts: 150
Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 10:23 am
Location: Eastern TN, Claiborne County
Martin Colony History: Pls see signature

Hahaha, thanks all! yes where are the falcons and hawks!
I actually sent a 1500W of power on that ham radio antenna, and the tips of the middle elements are the active part and could 'cause RF burns... about 5 of those starlings frantically flew off!

Yes, we have lots of starlings here in south eastern VA. mostly flat farm lands here...so they do that cloud dance creeping on crop lands.
Last edited by Carrera Mike on Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mike
2020: 11pairs, 51 eggs, 45 fledged
2014: 8 pairs, 43 eggs, 39 fledged
2013: 3 pairs, 8 fledged
2012: 3 pairs, 7 fledged
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Chriscreole
Posts: 781
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 9:31 am
Location: Texas, Hutto

Here is my Starling Control. I mounted my Benjamin Marauder to a tripod, this .22mm pellet rifle can hold a 1/4" pattern at 25 yards & knock down a 100 lb hog with one shot through its skull. The Picture with the yellow X is where I drilled and tapped a threaded hole to accept a standard camera mount. It’s much easier for me to use now.

Wild boar (Graphic)
http://youtu.be/5a7e1nETLAQ

Starling and house sparrow control. (Graphic)
http://youtu.be/W3PTUbzHcTk

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Image
Image
Image
Image
PMCA Member since 2010
Super System 24, All Troyer W/Conley 2 entrances.
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Carrera Mike
Posts: 150
Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 10:23 am
Location: Eastern TN, Claiborne County
Martin Colony History: Pls see signature

That look like business only Chris :)

I use an Airforce Condor myself to keep them away. There so many of them in our area that they move like big dark clouds.. I'm not even sure If Im putting a dent in their population.
Mike
2020: 11pairs, 51 eggs, 45 fledged
2014: 8 pairs, 43 eggs, 39 fledged
2013: 3 pairs, 8 fledged
2012: 3 pairs, 7 fledged
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litedave
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2007 12:45 pm
Location: Southeast Louisiana

I dispatch them with a Hammeril 850 Airmagnum with a scope. I got a ham radio antenni also and the starlings are trained now never to enter my yard because sudden death can occur.
A Dead Hosp Is A Good Hosp.
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litedave
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2007 12:45 pm
Location: Southeast Louisiana

Carrera Mike wrote::cry: :cry: :cry:

Darn starlings weighing down the ham radio antenna elements

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Looks like a 20 or 40 meter. Those can't be all Starlings can they? You have a lot, sir!
A Dead Hosp Is A Good Hosp.
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Carrera Mike
Posts: 150
Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 10:23 am
Location: Eastern TN, Claiborne County
Martin Colony History: Pls see signature

litedave wrote:
Carrera Mike wrote::cry: :cry: :cry:

Looks like a 20 or 40 meter. Those can't be all Starlings can they? You have a lot, sir!
Dave its a tri bander cushcraft. 10, 15 & 20 meters :) and yes those are all darn starlings.. there's so many of them here that they move like rolling clouds on pastures mid summer. :(
Mike
2020: 11pairs, 51 eggs, 45 fledged
2014: 8 pairs, 43 eggs, 39 fledged
2013: 3 pairs, 8 fledged
2012: 3 pairs, 7 fledged
Top
Carrera Mike
Posts: 150
Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 10:23 am
Location: Eastern TN, Claiborne County
Martin Colony History: Pls see signature

Chriscreole wrote:Here is my Starling Control. I mounted my Benjamin Marauder to a tripod, this .22mm pellet rifle can hold a 1/4" pattern at 25 yards & knock down a 100 lb hog with one shot through its skull. The Picture with the yellow X is where I drilled and tapped a threaded hole to accept a standard camera mount. It’s much easier for me to use now.
Chris,

did you modify your stock to take the tripod?? did you put in heli coil to take the tri pod wing nut? that's cool!
Mike
2020: 11pairs, 51 eggs, 45 fledged
2014: 8 pairs, 43 eggs, 39 fledged
2013: 3 pairs, 8 fledged
2012: 3 pairs, 7 fledged
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Roymg
Posts: 135
Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:05 pm
Location: Covngton, La

My gosh..are you raising these birds? Ha...crank up the waves a lot more.
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Chriscreole
Posts: 781
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 9:31 am
Location: Texas, Hutto

Carrera Mike wrote:
Chriscreole wrote:Here is my Starling Control. I mounted my Benjamin Marauder to a tripod, this .22mm pellet rifle can hold a 1/4" pattern at 25 yards & knock down a 100 lb hog with one shot through its skull. The Picture with the yellow X is where I drilled and tapped a threaded hole to accept a standard camera mount. It’s much easier for me to use now.
Chris,

did you modify your stock to take the tripod?? did you put in heli coil to take the tri pod wing nut? that's cool!

No but I might need to, it's already loose I thought this compost stock was harder
Image
PMCA Member since 2010
Super System 24, All Troyer W/Conley 2 entrances.
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Roymg
Posts: 135
Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:05 pm
Location: Covngton, La

Chriscreole wrote:Here is my Starling Control. I mounted my Benjamin Marauder to a tripod, this .22mm pellet rifle can hold a 1/4" pattern at 25 yards & knock down a 100 lb hog with one shot through its skull. The Picture with the yellow X is where I drilled and tapped a threaded hole to accept a standard camera mount. It’s much easier for me to use now.

Wild boar (Graphic)
http://youtu.be/5a7e1nETLAQ

Starling and house sparrow control. (Graphic)
http://youtu.be/W3PTUbzHcTk

Image
Image
Image


Image

Did you have to register that rig with the Feds?
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