Eagles
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Badger
- Posts: 51
- Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 3:37 pm
- Location: Shenandoah Valley VA
- Martin Colony History: Martin landlord since 2016. 48 super gourds all with crescent openings and porches.
Will eagles bother my martins? I have a nest about 250 yards away. Last year they did not bother them but was I just lucky? They have plenty of food source. Rabbits, squirrels, fish and other small animals. Should I be concerned ?
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Birdiegirl
- Posts: 362
- Joined: Sun May 24, 2020 7:03 pm
- Location: Scott County Kentucky
- Martin Colony History: Two poles: 2 T-14s and 8 gourds
2021- 1 pair, 5 fledged
2022- 11 pair, 36 fledged
2023- 20 pair, 78 fledged
2024- 32 pair, 109 fledged
2025- 34 pair, 117 fledged
2026-
Hi Badger,
Lucky you to have an eagle nest in your area! I wouldn't be concerned at all about them pursuing your martins. Bald eagles are primarily fish eaters and sometimes eat turtles. In the winter months when open water may freeze over, eagles sometimes hunt waterfowl and even take advantage of carcasses (roadkill deer, etc.). Though large birds, eagles really aren't agile enough or interested in going after smaller birds.
Lucky you to have an eagle nest in your area! I wouldn't be concerned at all about them pursuing your martins. Bald eagles are primarily fish eaters and sometimes eat turtles. In the winter months when open water may freeze over, eagles sometimes hunt waterfowl and even take advantage of carcasses (roadkill deer, etc.). Though large birds, eagles really aren't agile enough or interested in going after smaller birds.
Laura
PMCA member
PMCA member
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3788
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
No worries, and I think you'll be amazed at how smart the martins are. They seem to know exactly what birds can catch them and what ones cant. Some hawks will buzz around and they could care less, other breeds get with a 1/4 mile and they take off and go crazy.
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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Jones4381
- Posts: 830
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:54 pm
- Location: Southwestern VA
- Martin Colony History: 2020- 0
2021- 1 pair-5
2022- 5 pair-20
2023 34 pair-44
2024 30 pair-122
2025 54 Pair -178
Nice read...Go Eagles
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu