Crows!

[Robbi]

I had 4-6 males and females here all morning, in and out of nest boxes and singing like crazy. Then a couple crows started harassing them, flying close over and over. The martins pulled a full on attack, chasing them away, flying back to the house, then chasing them away. After the crows gave up, my new prospective residents left. I’ve never read anything about crows as predators, but I’m worried about the martins not coming back. It’s only been about 15 minutes so I guess time will tell. Anyone else have this problem?

[Dale D]

Robbi, I had that problem here 14 years ago with Crows, assuming they may have been Fish Crows. Due to my lack of experience at that time they were able to reach in one of the shallow 6" deep cavities and pull a couple of babies out. Once I went with the deep compartments and tunnels on my gourds I have never had a problem since. They still come around once in a while but the Martin's run them off and the crows are unable to disturb the cavities.

[Robbi]

Thanks Dale. They did come back about an hour later, it sounded like one was still in the house singing, and soon the others showed up. They stayed about 10 minutes and left. No crows around when they were here. Too late to change houses this year. Next year I’ll add one of the two sections to a room houses. I have a heath, so rooms are at least fairly deep.

[flyin-lowe]

Couple questions, have you had martins in the past at this place or are you starting a new colony? Also have you modified the heath house or is it "stock" so to speak. I am not aware of any Heath houses that come with deep cavities. Most or around 6 inches or less. Around 10-12 inches plus is what people consider deep cavities.

[Robbi]

Well my heath was up too late last year. This is my first year with martins showing interest. They are small, I’ve learned a lot since I started and next year I’ll add a house with large compartments.

[rgfllamas]

Robbi,
Mike and I rode by your house this AM and observed the martins circling and singing. As for the Heath house, I started many years ago with an "unmodified" house and have gradually changed it to better suit the martins. I began by removing every other inner wall, thereby making two cavities into one. Last year I added S&K porches to the remaining round holes. The enlarged cavities are like a penthouse suite and now with the added porch, they're great. Not sure if your pole is telescopic, mine is not and nest checks are virtually impossible for me. You're welcome to come by and check out the colony, corner of San Antonio and Abilene.

I, too, have seen the fish crows but they don't seem to be a real problem. We're fortunate not to have to deal with the starlings and house sparrows. I do have starling resistant openings on the house and my gourds, hopefully to make it a little more owl resistant. We have a thriving community of owls and hawks here in the neighborhood.

Ken

[Robbi]

Thanks Ken, I most definitely will come take a look. Birds Choice has 2 room “suites”, I may look at that for next year. My post is telescopic, but after being up almost a year it’s almost impossible to move up or down. Spray lube and a strong husband help,?but I only put it down far enough that I can access with a stepladder. Imperfect system. Haven’t been home today to see activity, left before dawn. Thanks for your words of encouragement!