Quick question
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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.
Hi everyone, would anyone happen to know if having a back porch light on would affect the Martins? I have a porch light I use and have noticed the Martins we just got a few days ago decided to go to the back of one of the houses and wasn’t sure if the light may of affected them. Maybe the light was too much for them? Thank you!
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Whippy
- Posts: 1023
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 11:15 pm
- Location: Plano, Texas
- Martin Colony History: See Signature
Like SS said it's nothing to worry about. I wanted to add to SS's point that chances are the Martins chose that side of the house due to the flyway for easy exit when departing. They do prefer it to be pretty open and perhaps your house prevents a little too much of an obstacle for now. As you get more and more pairs this won't be an issue at all. My martins hug the roofline of my house when they depart from that side of the gourd rack.
In addition: Spend as much time as you can outside with them. They will enjoy your company. I say that because of your concern of the light being too much and I don't want you to think that your presence in the yard will scare them off either. I know you being in the yard wasn't part of your question or concern but I thought I'd throw that in because I like to hear myself type.
Today I was standing 5 feet from the pole of my gourd rack with my dogs and they just kept coming in and landing and were popping in and out of gourds as usual. I think they like me because they know when I'm there the hawk won't try to come get them. It's either that or I'm just attractive to Martins.
Good luck to you.
Coolwhips
In addition: Spend as much time as you can outside with them. They will enjoy your company. I say that because of your concern of the light being too much and I don't want you to think that your presence in the yard will scare them off either. I know you being in the yard wasn't part of your question or concern but I thought I'd throw that in because I like to hear myself type.
Today I was standing 5 feet from the pole of my gourd rack with my dogs and they just kept coming in and landing and were popping in and out of gourds as usual. I think they like me because they know when I'm there the hawk won't try to come get them. It's either that or I'm just attractive to Martins.
Good luck to you.
Coolwhips
2016 - many visitors
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
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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.
Okay thank you for the replies.
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Conrad Baker
- Posts: 763
- Joined: Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:43 pm
- Location: Paulina, Louisiana
I read some time ago that PM landlords put lightbulbs inside the PM houses in very cold weather to help keep the birds warm. I don't think the birds were bothered at all.
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G Saner
- Posts: 257
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2013 3:37 pm
- Location: TX/Kerrville
- Martin Colony History: Fort Worth, TX (1967-1976), The Colony, TX (1981-1985), Carrollton, TX (1986-2013), Kerrville, TX (2015-present).
Two SuperGourd poles (12 gourds on each) at River Point Assisted Living Center.
Another reason that martins sometimes choose a certain side of the house is wind direction. Mine usually choose the north facing gourds first because they like to fly into the wind (just like an airplane). Normally, the wind is from the south. As more martins arrive, they choose gourds on the south and make a big loop when arriving back at the gourds.
G Saner