Any proof of ground predators up aluminum poles?
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bootjack farm
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2016 9:30 am
- Location: Russell, Pa
- Martin Colony History: 9 years of trying hard...finally in 2017 I had 3 pair w/ 11 babies. T-14 +4 w/ 4 Troyer horiz. gourds. Troyer Super System 24. Fast forward to 2020... 64 fledged.
Where I live (Northwest Pa) we only have water snakes that will climb. Generally, they stay on low lying "ambush" branches close to water. We do not have the black/rat snakes. I was just wondering if anyone had documented that other ground predators (raccoons, mink, weasel, chipmunk, squirrel, etc.) had actually made it up an aluminum pole that was without a predator guard?
Northwest PA
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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 2441
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
- Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
- Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged
Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged
Bootjack farm ... Yes Raccoons can climb very well... Check out this video...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2WB8m8YTPI
Dave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2WB8m8YTPI
Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio
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Luv Ya Purple
- Posts: 77
- Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:44 pm
- Location: SE Texas
- Martin Colony History: 2012 - 2014 - 0 pair
2015 - 1 pair
2016 - 5 pairs
It says there are rat snakes in Pennsylvania. Racoons can also climb very well. Those are some of the easier predators to stop. Please use the correct protection. Those are just ground predators, the ones from the air (Owls and Hawks) are the ones i fear the most.
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3788
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
http://www.fishandboat.com/Transact/Pen ... play03.pdf
Has someone told you that you don't have rat snakes or are you assuming that don't have them because you haven't seen them?
Has someone told you that you don't have rat snakes or are you assuming that don't have them because you haven't seen them?
2026 HOSP 26
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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bootjack farm
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2016 9:30 am
- Location: Russell, Pa
- Martin Colony History: 9 years of trying hard...finally in 2017 I had 3 pair w/ 11 babies. T-14 +4 w/ 4 Troyer horiz. gourds. Troyer Super System 24. Fast forward to 2020... 64 fledged.
Yes, I had also assumed that we did have black rat snakes until I was corrected by the senior naturalist at the Audubon which is just down the road (same habitat).
Dave, that is a good video and enough to push me to put up Guards. I avoided the purchase (of three) since I didn't have nesting PM's until last season. I also agree the the owls/hawks will be threat and plan to deal with that. Thanks
Dave, that is a good video and enough to push me to put up Guards. I avoided the purchase (of three) since I didn't have nesting PM's until last season. I also agree the the owls/hawks will be threat and plan to deal with that. Thanks
Northwest PA
Raccoons have no problem climbing aluminum poles. They will eat the bodies & head, then drop the wings to the ground. 1st time it happened to me I lost 8 Martins in a single night. Five days later he returned and killed 7 more Martins.
It took a few days but I caught the raccoon at the base of the pole in a live trap.
It took a few days but I caught the raccoon at the base of the pole in a live trap.
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.