Neighbour Complaints

[Bird Nerd]

I live on an acre of land in Redland Florida south of Miami and north of Homestead. I haven't had any issues whatsoever with my neighbours but I am anticipating that my colony is going to continue to grow and with that comes the song of the Martin that I enjoy very much but I'm concerned that some of my neighbours may not enjoy so much.

Has anyone had any unpleasant issues with neighbours complaining about the "noise" or anything else that comes with a colony of PM and if so how was it handled by you?

[Dave Duit]

I have never had an issue with noise of martins and neighbors, but here is a thought. If you speak with your neighbors prior to your colony growing large and educate them on all the great benefits of insect control in the area and that they are very clean birds that usually don't target cars with their droppings, this will help in their view of martins. Let them know that a colony of only 14 filled compartments with an average of 5 young per compartment can eliminate 350 pounds or 68,000 insects per season.

[Bird Nerd]

Thank you Dave for your advice.

Wish you a successful season.

Alex

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

The main problems with martins usually are a couple things: the neighbors park their vehicles on the driveway, and they have a swimming pool. They do not want droppings on their vehicles or in the swimming pool. In those cases, its best to keep your colony small.

[Bird Nerd]

Emil,

Wow 250 gourds? That's wonderful.

Interesting you brought up pools because I have one and I've never noticed droppings in it although I've heard that happens. What mine do most with the pool is swoop down and drink from it, very exciting to watch. I hope the chemicals in the pool do not cause them any harm. They also drink from the irrigation system that I and my neighbors have.

Thanks,
Alex

[Louise Chambers]

Alex, how large is your colony now? How much do you intend to expand it? An acre could probably hold (depending on how close neighbors' houses are, trees, etc.) a couple dozen martins without problems, but getting much beyond that might not be wise. Think about how many you'd like to host and how that might impact neighbors.

Earn some brownie points in the neighborhood: offer to show kids, grandkids the nests with eggs and babies.
If any neighbors have yards that would be good martin sites, you could help others get established.
Redlands Elementary School has hosted martins for years - how close is that to you?

[1 Ron Vasser]

If your neighbors have children invite them over and show the babies and eggs and you could have them wanting to start a colony. I've helped start quite a few after a visit to my colony and getting to watch them drink and bathe is a treat.

[pmartinlover2]

All great ideas from the forum. Ron V that's a great photo.
_____
Jody

[taxidermy lady]

Yes that photo is the best, thanks for sharing!

[EGunterTX]

Great pic, Ron V!!

[Bird Nerd]

Very nice photo.

[Bird Nerd]

And great idea.

[Bird Nerd]

Louise,

It's small, I have six pair and a few third wheels.

That is good news about Redland Middle School I had no idea, and so close by.

There are 52 one acre homesites in my neighborhood I am a good 60 ft from either neighbor side to side and 150ft or more front to back.

I honestly do not anticipate any issues with my neighbors, we all get along well but I can appreciate that not everyone has the same admiration for the Martin's that we do and I don't want to become a nuisance. I believe I can handle a much larger colony with no complaints whatsoever and maybe even help bring more awareness to the plight of the Purple Martin's. And more members to the club.

Thanks for all the great advice.

Alex
Bird Nerd.

[threelilkids]

Ron How did you do that wonderful pic? I sat at a pond for hours last year taking pics of martins drinking and couldn't get one so great as yours

Louise, great ideas
Mary

[1 Ron Vasser]

Thanks folks!
Mary...sometimes it takes hundreds of clicks at 8 frames/sec and sometimes you just get lucky. Hang in there and you'll get one you like!

[Craig Dyer]

Alex,
The size of your colony is a wise consideration as it relates to your neighbors. There are unintended consequences of supporting a large colony in a residential neighborhood. I presently have a half acre in a rural neighborhood (neighbors next door). I am providing housing for no more than 28 pairs. At my previous home I hosted a colony of forty pairs. My yard was a 1/4 acre corner lot in a residential neighborhood. The martin chatter & song was less a problem for my neighbors than the droppings on their autos and outdoor patios. The best of luck to you.
Craig

[Don Ricketson]

Ron those are beautiful pictures. You should send some of them to National Geographic. They might would publish them and do a story on Purple Martins.
Besides you might win some prize money for best pics .