Your input on avian predation at your colony requested

Louise Chambers · Wed Dec 03, 2014 5:56 pm

PMCA's Chief Biologist, Jim Ray, is collecting data on avian predation at martin colonies. You can download the form here - http://www.purplemartin.org/main/DateSh ... aids1.docx

It's not lengthy, and he'd appreciate your reports. Owls are primary focus but hawks, mammals, and snakes are also of interest.

Email the form to Jim Ray, thanks for participating!

Louise Chambers · Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:44 pm

A reminder - please participate in this study, if you are able. Thank you

Davlyn · Wed Jan 14, 2015 6:01 pm

Hey Louise , where do you go to do the report ?

Louise Chambers · Wed Jan 14, 2015 6:19 pm

Sorry, April - I was not clear about that.

Download this form

http://www.purplemartin.org/main/DateSh ... aids1.docx

Fill it out, and email to Jim Ray - his email is on the form.

Barrowdog · Mon Feb 02, 2015 9:29 am

Louise . Is this a current study . Have pictures of past attacks
Thanks

Louise Chambers · Mon Feb 02, 2015 1:38 pm

This is not limited to current season only - all reports would be welcome.

CraigM · Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:03 pm

I submitted my experience with a Screech Owl last summer.

Louise Chambers · Mon Feb 09, 2015 10:29 pm

Thanks, Craig - we appreciate your report.

Suzanne · Sun Feb 15, 2015 4:27 pm

First ASY martin arrived February13th. Such a sight to see. This morning Feb 15th we saw 6 purple martins flying around our houses with the awesome ASY sitting peacefully atop the cap. I haven't seen them the rest of today so hope they come back and with more martins! Our biggest predator is those pesky house sparrows. I trapped and disposed of one sparrow yesterday and one again today but there are so many more in our neighborhood. I have a neighbor who feeds sparrows and other birds so it may be hopeless this year. Yes, I have told her that sparrows are predators but she continues to attract sparrows to her back yard. I have seen several hawks flying high overhead but no issue at present with them.

DawnP · Wed Feb 18, 2015 7:16 am

Hello everyone! I am new to the sight, and have loved reading all the comments and articles. No birds yet here in NC, which is good because of a deep freeze. Last year, first martin returned on Feb 27. I sure hope the weather warms soon. I had 22 nesting pair last season. Was a sight to see when they were all out in the evenings. It got very hot here last season, and I had some trouble with babies leaving the nest too soon. I kept putting them back inside a gourd, and didn't lose any! I never got an accurate count of my babies. I need to learn a little more about when to do nest checks. But here were no dead birds in the gourds when the colony left (on July 17) And there have been years that I have found several :( Now, if I could just find a better way to protect from coopers hawks! Bought several decoys, and plan to try that approach. Good luck to everyone on a successful season, and I hope the bird song lifts your spirits as it does ours!!