thank you all and please learn from my experience?

[zekeandbelle]

thanks to so many of you who so very very kindly responded to my desperate pleas for help yesterday..I sure hope someone does something kind for each of you today...But, please, like Kathy and April have said before... please learn from my experience? I live in Oakland county, white lake, Michigan. I inherited a colony in the 80's, that has had martins consistently every year since, that had been in existence since the 70's from a very not knowledgeable landlord, hence my complete lack of knowledge until last year, when I discovered starlings. I spent last summer disposing of nearly 100 sparrows/starlings and my colony, although small..only 8 pair, fledged 11 babies. I was so excited this spring to buy new gourds and grow that colony. Until last week when I finally confirmed we are under owl attack. 2 martins eaten as of today. At sunset I counted 21 martins last night. We were growing, probably due to sparrow and starling control. This colony has been here for over 30 years with never an owl issue, so there were no owl guards anywhere. Yesterday we spent the day building very elaborate owl cages for the gourd rack and trio houses and I have one more to build today. I am so very worried that my colony is going to be wiped out, all do to my failing to ever consider there could be an owl attack. The owl got 2 martins who were in enlarged cavities, so that didn't even help. YOU, all of you, NEED guards, at the very least, although I don't know if that would even prevent them from flushing out during an owl attack, but if I ever move and try to start another colony, I will be sure to build owl cages as soon as there are martins in residence. I never thought or even considered it could happen here and now my martins lives and my entire attitude has changed dramatically. Not much joy in watching them today... only worry and worry and fear..So PLEASE take precautions and be very proactive. Our martins depend on us...

[Matt F.]

Great post, and great message Jan!
You really stepped up for your Martins!

[C.C.Martins]

Id be devastated, your point is well taken thank you. Your birds will adjust and hopefully that owl will move to easier pickings.