Hawk attacks weren't too bad at first but in the last couple of weeks allot more Martins have arrived. We probably have 60-70 Martins right now.
It's rainy, cool, and windy this morning and all of the Martins were on the Gourd racks working on their feathers in the rain and talking.
A Hawk came at 8:30 and picked one of the Martins off of his porch. Now they are all gone until late afternoon. This is happening a couple of times a day if they stay here. The problem is it's multiple Hawks. Yesterday it was a Merlin, smaller but much faster than a Martin.
I know some of the Hawks will migrate eventually and the situation will get better, but it's frustrating right now.
Rant - Cooper's Hawk are killing me!
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.
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Sharon - Central TX
- Posts: 696
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:20 pm
- Location: Central TX
- Martin Colony History: All Troyer Horizontal Gourds with Conley Entrances
PMCA Member since 2004
I hear ya Spiderman. Been having the same issues here. It really upsets me 
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
Try putting some decoys on your houses or perching areas. Also buy sone dove decoys and put them up in an open spot away from the PM housing... Might help draw the hawks there first allowing martins to escape.
I've seen hawks (two occasions) swoop down and hit the decoys... The decoys dont move and the hawk seems to go for them... The martins easily escape. Both times we saw it with our own eyes.. the hawk was even upside down once , talons wrapped around the decoy.. flapping furiously.. he wouldn't give up. Another time the decoy and perch rod came off , and the hawk let go and dropped the whole thing in the front yard. That was wild.
I've seen hawks (two occasions) swoop down and hit the decoys... The decoys dont move and the hawk seems to go for them... The martins easily escape. Both times we saw it with our own eyes.. the hawk was even upside down once , talons wrapped around the decoy.. flapping furiously.. he wouldn't give up. Another time the decoy and perch rod came off , and the hawk let go and dropped the whole thing in the front yard. That was wild.
im so sorry for you james. I know exactly how you feel . I have the same problem here each year.
I also have read a new preditor exists. A black vultur
I also have read a new preditor exists. A black vultur
2015 69 pairs 418 eggs 396 fledged
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged
2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged
2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
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James Strickland FL
- Posts: 2249
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:04 pm
- Location: Reidsville NC
- Martin Colony History: 2017 Had a lot visitors no Matins nesting, hoping 2018 will be different.
2018 Had 1 pair
2019 had 30 pair
As to Decoys: I have perching poles on the Edges of my colony with Decoy Doves and Martins on them and I can tell you that they are hit and I do not know that a single Live Martin has been taken. Do not put the Decoys on your housing as it will draw the hawks right to the Martins. Martins have been dealing with hawk there whole live and will after you and I have gone. Taking down your colony will leaving them nowhere to nest and hatch new young. Think about all the time it took to get started and just to give up due to hawks. Remember that things go after your Martins, like snakes, raccoons, and Owls.
PMCA MEMBER