Having robin issues...
-
nikkihaddox
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 2:05 pm
- Location: Washington Missouri
- Martin Colony History: My father has started the Martin Colony back in 2000. To this day we have had about 40 to 45 pairs of Martins. We use 5 Martin houses and a few gourds, unfortunately the Martins prefer the houses over the gourds, but we still put them up.
So, we have 4 robins that have been hanging out at my house..wondering if they have a nest around someplace because, they are acting like a bully towards our Martins...every time our Martins go into the tray to eat the robins chase them off "every single time" we have to literally stand outside just to chase the robins off so that our Martins can eat. The robins are even sitting on the Martin houses chasing the Martins off their as well. I have a feeling it's going to be like this all spring and summer long. Is anyone else having issues with robins? I am just happy that it's "only" robins and not starlings or sparrows! That would be a headache! lol
-
Dave Duit
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2026, 88 pair with 333 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
Here is the soultion. I had this same problem years ago and 95% of my supplemet feeding, (Scrambled eggs and crickets) were going to the robins and a few starlings. Once the martin tried to get a few scraps the bullies would scare him away. I developed and built this enclose feeding tray with ultimate tunnels, (troyer tunnels with a plate could be used. It is and enclosed 3 x 3 foot wood floor with plexiglass sides and a hinged roof. The floor to roof is about 8 inches high. Here is the thread and url in which you can access detailed pics of the enclosed feeder.
Thread name: Will there be new interest in heating elements for martin houses ?
Here is the feeding box that can also be fitted with a large pet (plastic floor heater). Lots of pics that hopefully went through. Please search for this thread "Dave Duit's robin & starling proof purple martin feeder" on the "Iowa Purple Martin Discussion",on page 3 in the forum at this url address below. The pics are huge, so you can see lots of detail.
http://iamartin.org/forum.html
Thread name: Will there be new interest in heating elements for martin houses ?
Here is the feeding box that can also be fitted with a large pet (plastic floor heater). Lots of pics that hopefully went through. Please search for this thread "Dave Duit's robin & starling proof purple martin feeder" on the "Iowa Purple Martin Discussion",on page 3 in the forum at this url address below. The pics are huge, so you can see lots of detail.
http://iamartin.org/forum.html
-
Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
Good idea Dave. Bob Buskas has also made a robin proof feeder. http://www.wtc.ab.ca/northernskys/feeding.htm
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
-
Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
I am feeding robins blue birds and cardinals with the Martins. So yes here to robin trouble.
Luckily my first ASY male is nasty. He has the upper hand on the feeder above all else. So now the others do as well.
Doug
Luckily my first ASY male is nasty. He has the upper hand on the feeder above all else. So now the others do as well.
Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
I feed my robins too; they are such nice birds. They prefer worms but will eat crickets too; especially
when they have babies to feed. Robins are territorial so normally once the nesting season starts for
them you should only have one pair at your site. Sometimes they do get a little aggressive but normally
you can chase them off the feeders or the martins will do it. Normally, if there are earthworms
available, they prefer them. I also have phoebes and grackles at my B&B. They mostly clean up
leftovers.
When you enclose your trays, does it not also discourage some of the martins? Do some of the
other birds learn to enter the enclosure? I've had other birds on gourd porches reaching inside
the doors taking crickets from the gourds.
when they have babies to feed. Robins are territorial so normally once the nesting season starts for
them you should only have one pair at your site. Sometimes they do get a little aggressive but normally
you can chase them off the feeders or the martins will do it. Normally, if there are earthworms
available, they prefer them. I also have phoebes and grackles at my B&B. They mostly clean up
leftovers.
When you enclose your trays, does it not also discourage some of the martins? Do some of the
other birds learn to enter the enclosure? I've had other birds on gourd porches reaching inside
the doors taking crickets from the gourds.