Missed it all

John A Green Jr · Fri Jul 17, 2015 12:49 pm

I was looking forward to witnessing my best fledging ever when I was called out of town for work on the 25th of June for a week. Well, that turned into 3 weeks and I arrived back home on the 15th of July. I knew that I probably missed a lot but it really sunk in when I pulled into the drive and seen only a few birds here and there. I watched for a while thinking about the season and what I may have missed, predation, and such. Not knowing is what hurts, all seems to be fine. The martins still here don't seemed stressed at all and that's good. Fledglings practice flying to the field and back to the gourds. I am thankful and blessed for sure. It just bites that you put so much into something and care so much just to have the best part taken from you. Thanks for letting me vent and I hope everyone had a wonderful martin season.

Chris B · Fri Jul 17, 2015 1:43 pm

Well as farmers like to say, "There's always next year!"

Matt F. · Fri Jul 17, 2015 4:03 pm

Don't be too hard on yourself John.
Sounds like you had a great 2015 season, thanks to your wonderful efforts, including providing great, safe housing for your Martins.

BW Fowler · Fri Jul 17, 2015 7:03 pm

John,

Congrats on a great year. These martin birds seem to follow their own schedule, God love 'em all!

BW

John A Green Jr · Sat Jul 18, 2015 11:19 pm

Thanks Matt, BW, Chris, it means a lot to me. Really, it does. Super colony in 3 years!!! Well I hope so anyways.

Anthony Neira · Mon Jul 20, 2015 3:12 pm

That's a rough thing to go thru, John, But like everyone else who responded, it sounds like your PMs came out O.K. That's something to get to over 50 pair in 4 years ! Congrats for that !

and at least you didn't come home to a disaster of fallen housing, or a bunch of PM bones & feathers everywhere ! Like they say, "Nature Has A Way"

Hang in there, & feel good that you helped their population, it sounds that they'll be back ! You Might need more housing !

DebA · Mon Jul 20, 2015 6:57 pm

What a bummer for sure. Glad you're there now. I bet the ones there like seeing you too.
Deb

John A Green Jr · Tue Jul 21, 2015 11:12 am

Thanks Anthony, Deb, but my fears of the unknown came true when I was mowing the lawn around the back of the garage. Three long coopers hawk feathers and a couple of shorter breast feathers. There were some across the yard too. I had attacks before I left but he didn't get anything that I was aware of. I knew once fledging started it would be different and it seems it was. I just hope and pray it wasn't to bad so they will return next year.
I have read Steve's posts on the predation he goes through and can't imagine having to witness it as much as he seems to, being so helpless and all. But his martins always come back and that's good. I guess until we find a better way to deter the hawks, we just live with it but I won't give up.

Louise Chambers · Tue Jul 21, 2015 11:24 am

John, if you still have those feathers, could you post photo? Hawks don't often lose feathers but owls do (when attacking martin housing), and a photo could help confirm ID as to Cooper's or owl.

John A Green Jr · Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:01 pm

Louise,
I sure can. I compared it to some on the internet but I don't mind a second check.

John A Green Jr · Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:12 pm

https://www.flickr.com/photos/78766790@N05/

It's the one on the car seat. The others are old.

Louise Chambers · Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:14 pm

Very helpful to have the photo, John - thanks. Others can weigh in but I am pretty sure that is a Great Horned Owl feather, which is bad news and good news. Bad news to have an owl visiting your site, but good news in that you can modify housing to better protect the martins. That may be easier to do than protecting them from Cooper's Hawks. And if you have both around, as most landlords do, there is still a lot that can be done to protect the martins - cages around houses and gourds, decoys, just for starters.

John A Green Jr · Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:27 pm

Gee it sure is hard when your not a pro. I been going back and forth at the pics of both and it's not easy. I trust you though. Looks like I have more work for next year if it is. I thought I may have an owl problem last year but no proof so I let it go. I have never heard or seen an owl around but that doesn't mean they aren't here. Thanks Louise

Louise Chambers · Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:28 pm

John, from your photos, it looks like you're a pretty handy builder, and can handle the job. I am much more familiar with owl feathers than Cooper's Hawk feathers, but this website has some good photos of both:

http://www.fws.gov/lab/featheratlas/fea ... imary_dark

http://www.fws.gov/lab/featheratlas/fea ... mary_adult

The warm coloring says owl to me.

John A Green Jr · Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:52 pm

I'd say you're right. Man, that bums me out. Not the work I will need to do but not knowing what happened when I was out of town. I guess I will go the way of Kathy F and get some cameras and cages for next year. Better to know now though. I really appreciate your help Louise.

Dave Reynolds · Wed Jul 22, 2015 8:36 am

Louise ---- Thanks for the web sites ,,,,, Great photos....

Dave