Martin got away

[loco for purple]

I haven't had heavy hawk pressure , but I always go outside to watch the martins when they come in for the night. This time I was inside looking out my sliding glass door . Most of the martins were already inside the housing except for about four that were looking for a place to sleep . I have an open field behind my house and I see a blurr of an object coming in fast . I knew what it was and I almost went through the sliding glass door trying to get out side . I saw a Martin dive straight down with the hawk right behind it . I clapped my hands so hard that as I type this they still sting. This startled the hawk and it quit chasing the Martin and flew back across the field.. The martins stayed aloft and never came back down. I stayed out side till dark in the open field . All the other martins in the housings making all kinds of noises , not realizing that the grim reaper had paid them a visit... I plan to be out there first thing in the morning before I go to work . I know this coopers hawk did not go far......

[birdy girl]

I am so glad the martin got away probably due to your quick intervention. Just wish we could enjoy our martins without having to feel nervous and stressed for their safety.

[klcretired]

Hi James,
Me tooo!!!!! I am getting Hammered by Hawks over here in Grand Prairie , I am up early B-4 daylight sitting under my Colony all day as well as in the evening until dark , The Hawks attack at different times with all the loud activity and bickering around my Colony . Many times I have deterred and foiled Hawk attacks and the Decoys are a great Help as well.
Late , just b-4 8 pm two hawks a Male and a Female come to sit on my back Fences The male tries to sit on my east fence and the Larger Female tries to sit on my fence to the north of my Colony. I have run them off so many times I have lost count they are relentless and you know What???? So am I.

[jr 2]

I had a hawk attack the other day and take 1 of the martins too the ground in my back yard;it must have came in fast;;;;;;first ,I though it was 2 martins fighting and them I think the hawk took off with the martin and the other martins were chasing and trying too peck the hawk;;;I yelled when I realized what was going on but think I was too late;do the coopers hawk's cruise around in the sky like the other hawks because I see them way up in sky;;;;how can I tell the difference if they are sitting in a tree here;;;I only have 1 big tree close which belongs too the neighbor;;I stayed in back yard last night looking for the hawk;think I had a hawk attack last year too;;what else can I do??????;; would putting the fencing around hiouse and gourds help???????????jr2

[Rocky Top]

I keep decoys on the upper perch on my Martin house to actract the Hawks and try to to save the Martins. Do you think that this will help. I have had my decoys knocked over several times and I know it was not by the wind.

[daveh]

Rocky Top, I have 4 decoys on 10 ft pvc pipe that I move around in the yard. I watch coopers hit them all the time. As long as I move them around, they work pretty good.

dave

[Matt F.]

The Cooper's Hawks are not only increasing in numbers and range, but they're continuously adapting, and changing their tactics, to more effectively attack our songbirds - in this case our Martins.
I'm seeing (me included) more reports this season, of the Cooper's Hawks using these early morning/late evening surprise attacks, trying to nail the Martins as they come in for evenings, or when they take off in the mornings.
Disturbing..........

[Matt F.]

As long as I move them around, they work pretty good.

Dave, that is excellent intel!
That's a great idea!

[klcretired]

Rocky Top
Yes I Know the Decoys help save Martin Lives I am a firm believer of using a lot of Decoys both on my PM Housing and Gourd Rack , Like you I have a lot of Decoys Hit By Hawks , I use Hanger Strapping from Home Depot and mount my decoys about 8" atop the Strap that way the wind makes the decoys move making them look alive.

Oatey 3/4 in. x 10 ft. Galvanized Steel Hanger Strap
Model # 339232
Store SKU # 502072


http://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-3-4-in ... /100167964

you can see a hit decoy