Shocked
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DelmaWhisenhunt
- Posts: 778
- Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:17 am
- Location: Idabel, OK
Saw a brown hawk catch a martin this morning just as it was nearing the house. The other martins started flying around with distressful sounds. Made me so sad. Being in the city limits no fire arms can be used. Ruined my day every time I thought about the scene.
Delma Whisenhunt
Idabel, OK
Martin Lover
Idabel, OK
Martin Lover
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MichaelH
- Posts: 586
- Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 10:10 am
- Location: IL/Gillespie
- Martin Colony History: 2015 28 cavities 2 pairs
2016 big upgrade 56cavities 16 pairs great year
2017. 76 cavities 36 pairs
2018. 146 cavities
Sorry to hear that,nature can be so cruel ,hope it doesn't affect your season to much
2018 146 cavities.
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Courtney-NC
- Posts: 592
- Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:28 pm
- Location: Holly Springs, NC
- Martin Colony History: 2009-2015-Helped to manage Raleigh site, 36 cavities
2016- 33 pairs at Raleigh site, 1 pair at home site.
2017- 34 pairs at Raleigh site, 3 pairs + extra SYs at home site
2018- 33 pairs at Raleigh site, 5 pairs + extra SYs at home site
2019 - 32 pairs at Raleigh site, 7 pairs at home site, 2 pairs at new Holly Springs park site
Delma, if you continue to have hawk problems (and you very well may), put up some martin or dove decoys to distract the hawk away from the live birds, or build some caging to go around the housing. If you can't do it yourself, see if someone in your family or someone local can help you. I know how many years you have waited for martins and now you finally have them; it would be a shame to start losing them.
-Courtney
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NC Purple Martin Society (PMCA affiliate)
http://www.ncpurplemartin.org
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NC Purple Martin Society (PMCA affiliate)
http://www.ncpurplemartin.org
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M.Stephens
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:14 pm
- Location: Texas/Texarkana
Sorry to hear about your loss Delma. As Courtney said you've been trying for years and then this happens to you. If I can help you with decoys or anything please let me know.......
Malcolm
2015 (110 nesting pair)
2014 (92 nesting pair)
2013 (75 nesting pair)
2012 (35 nesting pair)
2011 (20 pair)
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PMCA Member
2015 (110 nesting pair)
2014 (92 nesting pair)
2013 (75 nesting pair)
2012 (35 nesting pair)
2011 (20 pair)
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PMCA Member
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DelmaWhisenhunt
- Posts: 778
- Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:17 am
- Location: Idabel, OK
Thanks, I have a good friend that will put decoys up as soon as the weather clears. He doesn't think the idea helps, but I think differently and will give it a try. The martins that were at that house seem to be trying now to locate to the houses in the front yard. One house in the back yard at opposite side of yard has been dedicated to the blue birds. They took it over two or three years ago. Strangely enough I had blue bird houses put up all over the yard and they chose the martin house.
Delma Whisenhunt
Idabel, OK
Martin Lover
Idabel, OK
Martin Lover
I think the decoys work well. Mine are above the tee rack the birds perch on, making it a more tempting (easier) target.
2014 8 gourds, 3 pairs nested. Ended w/ 24 total
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.