I’m a new landlord as of this year. My first ever Martins showed up May 1st. I was so excited. I spent countless hours reading about Purple Martins that day. I woke up early the next day well before daylight and decided I needed to play the dawn song to help my new guests feel welcome. I sat my iPad on the trampoline at full volume playing a YouTube video I found of the dawn song. At first light, I peeked outside hoping to see my Martins. I instead saw the silhouette of an owl standing on one foot on my back fence. He was staring towards my iPad He directly flew off and I’ve seen no sign of him since then. My Martin house is right along my back fence. So, this owl was standing just a few feet from my birdhouse. See my other post for how this came to be. The Martins left for a few days, but are now back in full nest building mode.
My mind is in a dilemma now. I’m scared to death my Martins are going to leave again. I’ve read of all the owl horror stories and I know how devastating an owl attack would be to my young colony. So, put up some owl guard right? Well, I’m scared they don’t consider this place home yet and will leave if I put owl guard up. What should I do? Wait until both pair have laid eggs then put owl guard up (so they will be more committed)? Should I put up owl guard early in the day and see how they adapt to it throughout the day? If they don’t like it, take it down?
I'm a new landlord as well and just put up owl guards on my house. My ASY male literally landed on the house as I was doing it. I have heard that they will typically except modifications for protection within reason at the beginning of the season. I could be wrong but I would love to see other more knowledgeable people add input.
There's the right way, the wrong way and then there's my way...........
In my inexperienced opinion, I think they will accept and adjust to owl guards. I would prefer putting them up right now and risk losing them rather than not putting them up and risk having owls get them. At least if they do leave, they are alive and can come back. If an owl gets them - well, you know how that story ends. Good luck and welcome! Lots of nice helpful people who are willing to give advice here! I'm new here, too.
New too, id put them up now. the martins have had 17 days to "like" your place, sounds like they like it plenty. Id get everything ready and have all the stuff necessary to do it quick. Pick the afternoon, not morning or evening...they will come look but those times should be least obtrusive for them I think.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
BDR wrote:I’m a new landlord as of this year. My first ever Martins showed up May 1st. I was so excited. I spent countless hours reading about Purple Martins that day. I woke up early the next day well before daylight and decided I needed to play the dawn song to help my new guests feel welcome. I sat my iPad on the trampoline at full volume playing a YouTube video I found of the dawn song. At first light, I peeked outside hoping to see my Martins. I instead saw the silhouette of an owl standing on one foot on my back fence. He was staring towards my iPad He directly flew off and I’ve seen no sign of him since then. My Martin house is right along my back fence. So, this owl was standing just a few feet from my birdhouse. See my other post for how this came to be. The Martins left for a few days, but are now back in full nest building mode.
My mind is in a dilemma now. I’m scared to death my Martins are going to leave again. I’ve read of all the owl horror stories and I know how devastating an owl attack would be to my young colony. So, put up some owl guard right? Well, I’m scared they don’t consider this place home yet and will leave if I put owl guard up. What should I do? Wait until both pair have laid eggs then put owl guard up (so they will be more committed)? Should I put up owl guard early in the day and see how they adapt to it throughout the day? If they don’t like it, take it down?
If you have a pair that has stayed since May 1 shut your cd off! You don't need it on anymore! They will do the attracting now! I had a pair come May 1 and I shut the cd off May 1! Hope this helps! Good luck!
My Martins now have two full nests built, but still no eggs. I decided to get the owl guard up ASAP. I used 14ga 2X4" welded wire. I put the 4" on the horizontal direction so nest material can more easily be brought in. I cut an opening at the top for the wire to slide down on the roof some and I overlapped it at the bottom and wired it together. I did not cut the wire to 4X4" anywhere for the purpose of making it easier for Martins to enter. The Martins either come thru the 2x4 wire in front of their holes or thru the open sides.
I put the owl guard on at 1pm a few days ago. The Martins did not like it at all at first, but by that afternoon they were sitting on the porches in front of their nest. They seem to like it overall now because it gives them more places to perch.
He directly flew off and I’ve seen no sign of him since then. My Martin house is right along my back fence. So, this owl was standing just a few feet from my birdhouse. See my other post for how this came to be. The Martins left for a few days, but are now back in full nest building mode.