My PMC 24 with 12 converted cavaties was hit last night.
I found 6 of the crescent doors and porch dividers on the ground this morning. Babies seem to be ok, as what ever tried raiding the house was not able to reach around in to the compartments containing the babies. The four gourds below the house were not bothered either. Can an owl do this? There is a pole guard and has been on it for 8 - 10 years with no raccoon problems.
I know I had another house that the pole gourd failed and I had raccoons, climb up and destroy 8 nests, 6 in the aluminum house and 2 in gourds. They even unscrewed one of the gourd caps.
Another pole had two gourds hit about 3 weeks ago. The front of the gourds were knocked off. The babies were ok.
This along with our strange spring ( very, very cool May, delayed nest laying, then 2 weeks of heat and no rain).
I hope everyone else is having or has had a good martin year!
Bob
Can an Owl Rip of Doors on PMC 24?
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Hanover Bill
- Posts: 657
- Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 3:10 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania/Hanover Township
- Martin Colony History: 2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
Hi Bob;
To answer your question, yes, an owl is very capable of doing the damage. Several years ago a colony maintained by one of our Western Pa. landlords at a State Park was decimated by an owl attack. The owl had no problem breaking the plastic entrance plates and getting to the Martins. He returned every night and as stated above pretty much decimated the colony. That colony is just now recovering from the attacks.
If you don't have them this season, I would definitely recommend owl guards for next season. There is all kinds of information on the Forum about how to protect your colony from owl attacks. The preferred method is to enclose the entire house or gourd rack with 2 x 4 inch welded wire fence. It's a job, but the peace of mind it will give you is worth the work.
Best of luck to you.
Hanover Bill.
To answer your question, yes, an owl is very capable of doing the damage. Several years ago a colony maintained by one of our Western Pa. landlords at a State Park was decimated by an owl attack. The owl had no problem breaking the plastic entrance plates and getting to the Martins. He returned every night and as stated above pretty much decimated the colony. That colony is just now recovering from the attacks.
If you don't have them this season, I would definitely recommend owl guards for next season. There is all kinds of information on the Forum about how to protect your colony from owl attacks. The preferred method is to enclose the entire house or gourd rack with 2 x 4 inch welded wire fence. It's a job, but the peace of mind it will give you is worth the work.
Best of luck to you.
Hanover Bill.
2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
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Glynn B - LA
- Posts: 320
- Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 3:59 pm
- Location: Louisiana West Monroe
Bob, I've never had a owl attack. I'm very sorry that you might well be experiencing one.
Not sure if this will help you or not but it has given me peace. Plus I've never had a door to open failure. You can take a 3 or 4 inch large headed nail, slip it in between the door clip and floor. The nail will force the clip against the bottom of the door and the large head on the nail will help hold the door closed.
I don't have a photo handy of mine but am willing to take one if you need a example. Best of luck!
Glynn
Not sure if this will help you or not but it has given me peace. Plus I've never had a door to open failure. You can take a 3 or 4 inch large headed nail, slip it in between the door clip and floor. The nail will force the clip against the bottom of the door and the large head on the nail will help hold the door closed.
I don't have a photo handy of mine but am willing to take one if you need a example. Best of luck!
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
Hanover Bill and Glynn thank you very much for your responses.
The owl hit 2 more nights, but it baffles me, because the gourd rack with 12 gourds has not been touched. Maybe I should not say that too loud. I hope the attacks have finally stopped, but he, it, they did some major damage to my colony and to the houses.
Again, thank you for the replies!
Bob
The owl hit 2 more nights, but it baffles me, because the gourd rack with 12 gourds has not been touched. Maybe I should not say that too loud. I hope the attacks have finally stopped, but he, it, they did some major damage to my colony and to the houses.
Again, thank you for the replies!
Bob