Strange Behavior
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Jose Rodriguez
- Posts: 692
- Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:34 am
- Location: FL/Belleview
One of our female martins was dive bombing one of the decoys that is mounted on the gourd rack yesterday evening. She just kept dive bombing over and over. I thought to myself a snake probably got past the barriers and is actually in a gourd just under the decoy. I had to do an unscheduled nest check. I usually do nest checks on weekends. I brought the gourds down and all was well! No snake! Just 10 babies, one newly hatched and eggs in the gourds, thank goodness! Never seen that before. Good luck everyone!
PMCA Member
"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
Jose,
I had the same thing happen. One evening all 8 martins were dive bombing the decoys. All at once they returned to the house. It occured to me later that night that maybe a snake was on the house. It was now dark so we couldn't lower the house.
The next day, a nest check revealed that everything was okay. They have straifed the decoys several times since then, mostly one of the females, but others join in too.
Next year I would like to have a standalone perch for the decoys. I think some martins are creeped out by them.
- Judy
I had the same thing happen. One evening all 8 martins were dive bombing the decoys. All at once they returned to the house. It occured to me later that night that maybe a snake was on the house. It was now dark so we couldn't lower the house.
The next day, a nest check revealed that everything was okay. They have straifed the decoys several times since then, mostly one of the females, but others join in too.
Next year I would like to have a standalone perch for the decoys. I think some martins are creeped out by them.
- Judy
2016 - 4 Pairs with 16 fledged
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Anthony Neira
- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
- Location: San Antonio /Texas
- Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !
MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, It's that those females already have their own Male partner, & don't want the other Males (Decoys) bothering them !?? 
"Back Off Fella, I'm Taken !"
You Could always paint the decoys to look like Females,
Poor Decoy ! Attacked by all those Males !! 
"Back Off Fella, I'm Taken !"
You Could always paint the decoys to look like Females,
Poor Decoy ! Attacked by all those Males !! PMCA Member, 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals + Tunnels, & 2 S&K Bo 11"s WITH Troyer Porches ! 4 MPPs, For 2019 Season !! 
Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.
Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.-
Jose Rodriguez
- Posts: 692
- Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:34 am
- Location: FL/Belleview
For reals Anthony!I might just do what Judy's idea. Put them on a standalone pole.
PMCA Member
"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
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Anthony Neira
- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
- Location: San Antonio /Texas
- Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !
Judy's seems to be the best Idea Jose, sorry, things are kinda slow around here, I have slightly less than last year , but still having the regular SY action, "The Young & The Nestless " ( ) ect.. I gave myself my own drama the past few days, Changing 3 of my Trio (Duro-Craft) DR-12N "FLAT Top" roofs to NEW Hip Top M-12K Roofs ! I didn't expect to battle 20+ year old nuts & bolts so much, as the PMs dove on me, worried about their eggs!
But, all came out just fine, now my 6 front side yard Trios look like a gated community !!
( Extra rails were added , I'll try & get Pic.s Soon) Good Luck everyone, my fingers are still crossed for Sharon !! PMCA Member, 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals + Tunnels, & 2 S&K Bo 11"s WITH Troyer Porches ! 4 MPPs, For 2019 Season !! Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.
Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.