I finally got my bluebirds to move to their brand new, one bed no bath bluebird house, and momma's sitting on 5 eggs... It's around 60-70 feet from my PM house. The bluebirds still use it as perches though.
Last year I had 2 unsuccessful SY males. I'm seeing 2 ASY males checking my T14 out every few days, wondering if it may be last years 2. Dang bluebird chases them off every time they peek in a compartment and I won't see them again for a few days. Any advice? I remember reading that if the martins want to stay, they'll stay. That being said I don't want them ran off!
Bluebird chasing away lookers...
-
Mrlodi1006
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2017 10:45 am
- Location: Glenwood Arkansas
When they get ready they'll hoss up on bluebirds.
-
Glynn B - LA
- Posts: 320
- Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 3:59 pm
- Location: Louisiana West Monroe
You might try placing a couple perches just for your bbs. I have 6ft t post with two 4ft perch rods connected via gourd rod C brackets. I have them placed around the property just fo bbs.
Yes they use them every day. I never have had bb problems.
Glynn
Yes they use them every day. I never have had bb problems.
Glynn
2019 26 pair 116 fledged
2018 20 pair 76 fledged
2017 19 pair 82 fledged
2016 13 pair 48 fledged
2015 3 pair 13 fledged
2014 1 pair 4 fledged
2013 2 pair 6 fledged
2012 0 pair
2011 0 pair
I don’t have the perfect site. One open flyway with trees within 80 ft. I do have a small pond they utilize during the heat of Summer. (2017) HEAVY HAWK PREDATION
2018 20 pair 76 fledged
2017 19 pair 82 fledged
2016 13 pair 48 fledged
2015 3 pair 13 fledged
2014 1 pair 4 fledged
2013 2 pair 6 fledged
2012 0 pair
2011 0 pair
I don’t have the perfect site. One open flyway with trees within 80 ft. I do have a small pond they utilize during the heat of Summer. (2017) HEAVY HAWK PREDATION
-
Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
I have witnessed the blue birds driving away starlings trying to enter " their box". Of course the starlings cant get in the smaller BB hole or it would be different. It a 50 yard shot from my house, but a few starlings have met their demise there. The box has a few battle scars though.
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
-
[email protected]
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:35 am
- Location: Raynham MA. 02767
- Martin Colony History: 2016, put Troyer pole with 6 units Horizontal with Conley 11 Tunnels.
Had some visits (two sittings) last year. A visit this year 2017.
Good Shotin!!
Mrlodi1006 wrote:When they get ready they'll hoss up on bluebirds.
Would you believe me if I told you I watched a bb take a Martin to the ground last year? I think my BB's take BBGH (bluebird growth hormones) lol
2016 - 4 gourds, 2 unlucky SY bachelors
2017 - 4 gourds, added a T14. 3 SY pairs, 3 nests, 14 eggs, 14 hatched, 13 nestlings.
2018 - as of April 10, approximately 16 Martins, mostly ASY, a few SY. No nests yet.
2017 - 4 gourds, added a T14. 3 SY pairs, 3 nests, 14 eggs, 14 hatched, 13 nestlings.
2018 - as of April 10, approximately 16 Martins, mostly ASY, a few SY. No nests yet.
Blue birds are tough customers for Martins, especially if they have been using the housing on a regular basis to hunt off of.
Visiting Martins have a hard time getting the opportunity to see the housing to make the choice whether to select it or find another location.
Bluebirds are fearless when it comes to any other birds and defending territory.
Visiting Martins have a hard time getting the opportunity to see the housing to make the choice whether to select it or find another location.
Bluebirds are fearless when it comes to any other birds and defending territory.
Colony started in 2002
Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds
2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS
*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds
2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS
*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
I have the same issue. Trying to establish a Martin colony, but I have a pair of BBs and they just had 5 eggs hatch on Saturday. I've been successfully bringing in Martins with the daytime chatter, but the male BB just sits on top of my T-14 and attacks them as they come in to land. My wife and I joked about baby Bluebird stew if they keep it up.
On the serious side though, we've decided no more BB broods this year. We've got a couple weeks until they fledge. After that, I'm plugging the hole until I can establish a Martin colony. It breaks my heart every time they chase a potential tenant away.
On the serious side though, we've decided no more BB broods this year. We've got a couple weeks until they fledge. After that, I'm plugging the hole until I can establish a Martin colony. It breaks my heart every time they chase a potential tenant away.
2016 - First attempted year as landlord. homemade T-14 on custom pole with winch. Fingers crossed.
-
Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
Wondering how that will work out for you. You'll force them to your martin housing if you close up their home? I think the idea of adding perches has merit, possibly moving your bluebird housing a little further away from your housing plus some perches nearby to interrupt their flight path to the martin housing. Hope it works out for you.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
-
Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
Not sure if plugging there entrance will be enough. Check out the Drew protocol. . Put a house up for the BB 30 feet away. When they commit to it,(ie. lay eggs) open your martin housing.
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
I didn't even consider the Drew Protocol when considering plugging their nest after this brood. Having said that, I specifically located their nest exactly 30 feet away from the base of the T-14 based on the Drew Protocol. He claims 25-35 feet is optimal, so I split the difference. Unfortunately, the male seems to be defending the T-14 with the gusto of a Spartan at Thermopylae!
Ok, you have me rethinking my approach now. Thanks, and I don't mean that sarcastically. So what then, add a tall perch for them in between their house and the T-14? My T-14 is 18 feet high, I'm scared anything I add will pale in comparison.
Ok, you have me rethinking my approach now. Thanks, and I don't mean that sarcastically. So what then, add a tall perch for them in between their house and the T-14? My T-14 is 18 feet high, I'm scared anything I add will pale in comparison.
2016 - First attempted year as landlord. homemade T-14 on custom pole with winch. Fingers crossed.
-
Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
Since your bluebirds have already shown preference towards their nesting box, wouldn't it just make sense to move the box further away from the martin housing. You may then be at risk of having a different pair of bluebirds show interest in the martin housing but bluebirds defend a larger area than tree swallows. If you would position the bluebird house so that it faces away from the purple martin housing and provide a few perches in the opposite direction of your purple housing, it might be enough to turn the tide in your favor. Don't think your perches need be as high as your martin housing.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
Roger that. Thanks for the help.
My BB house is already facing 90 degrees away from the T-14, but I'll add some perching opposite from the T-14 house to try to keep them occupied elsewhere.
My BB house is already facing 90 degrees away from the T-14, but I'll add some perching opposite from the T-14 house to try to keep them occupied elsewhere.
2016 - First attempted year as landlord. homemade T-14 on custom pole with winch. Fingers crossed.