Hawk clothesline deterrent with pics.

[Dave Duit]

A while back, someone on a thread concerning hawks wanted me to post some pics of my hawk clothesline deterrent set up. I originally had all my racks and gourds and metal housing surrounded by owl cage fencing, but quickly found out that when martins would perch on the horizontal section of the cages; hawks would simply side swipe attack the martins while they perched on the cage wire. So, I came up with this alternative hawk resistant solution. The vertical clothesline weaved up and down from a roof to a floor about 10 inches apart would eliminate the possibility of martin getting picked off while perching on the old owl square mesh style fencing. Since there are no horizontal wires for the martins to perch using only vertical clothesline, it makes it impossible for a side swipe attack. I realize that each landlords set up is different; but you can modify your set up to integrate this clothesline style. As long as you have a way to connect the clothesline from a roof and floor or any other method it is feasible. I know that I will get questions about the roof and floor, so I will try to explain as simply as I can. The roof is corrugated asphalt / rubber roofing as it is a fixed structure with a 30 foot metal band around the edge and held up from a central hub with extending arms on the underside. The floor section is suspended using wire connected to the underside of the gourd rack with the underside supporting the flooring using PVC tubing and lots of screws. At the edges of the floor, I used bent PVC tubing that screws into the floor. From this PVC tubing, anchor bolts are added to purposely make it possible to match up with pex blue tubing. The angled section of the anchor bolt is pointed downward to match up with holes on the blue pex tubing. I realize many landlords jaws may be lifted off the floor at this time. Lol. I understand. I do know other crazy purple martin people out there that will also go to the ends of the earth to make their martins safer. Go ahead and zoom in on the pics to see the details. The first three pics are of my new homemade interior PVC / exterior sheet metal 28 compartment unit. All three racks have 1000 pound crank winches.

[Thomas Maddox]

WOW! Very impressive.

[Dave Duit]

Thanks Thomas. It was years in the making. lol. I love to build.

[Martintown33]

Incredible builds and designs Dave.. fantastic! Military grade Martin bomb shelters as I’ve said before!
I’m going to look into making a lighter version of your design. Using pvc pipe, as the frame work (open roof and floor) and then run the vertical stands of wire rope , from the pvc frame. Awesome … great idea..
Rob

[Phil01]

That is AMAZING Dave! Great idea to not have anything for the martins to perch on, thus transferring the problem to the outside of the cage. I’m sure your martins thank you for keeping them safe!
Phil

[brent]

I wonder how I can do something like that with the Trendsetter house? I think it’s great!!

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[Dave Duit]

Rob. I'm glad to know that I inspired you to make a lighter version of my design to help you at your colony. Ideas that can assist people is what it is all about. Phil. The elimination of the perches was an immediate impact on my colony. I witnessed a side attack attempt the week after I put up the clothesline design and it worked perfectly. The hawk tried a side swipe and hit one of the clothesline wires while the martin simply dropped straight down of his porch perch and escaped easily. Brent. I feel that nay setup can be modified to utilize the idea. The most difficult part of the build would be to construct a version of either a roof or ring circle above the rack and some sort of method to attach the clothesline below the rack. Make it roughly one foot away from the gourd and or trendsetter cavity porches. Best of building my friend.

[Martintown33]

Dave, is the spacing in the front (entrance path) 10 inches, also?
Rob

[Martintown33]

Brent. As in Dave’s design, I think the best way, is to bolt a hub near the top of the pole, with a gap or hole in it, so your cable or rope can move freely. Attach the “cage” framework to the hub. Then run the strands of wire rope from the frames, top and bottom, to form the cage.. The “cage” won’t move so when raising your house after nest checks, it will slide into position , inside the “cage”, if that makes sense.. I’m not sure if Dave’s “cage” rides up and down with the house or remains stationary at the top of the pole?
Rob

[Thomabear]

Wow! Very clever idea and well executed Dave… I’ve always admired your ingenuity and quality of work. This guard is no different. No cage perching = safe birds.

[Dave Duit]

Martintown33, Thomabear and Brent. Thanks guys for the comments and input. The spacing can be anything over 8 inches; I put in roughly 10 inches because it fits my set up best. Each landlords gourds and or metal housing may have different spacing and therefore different clothesline spacing. I hope that makes sense. The important thing is to not place a clothesline directly in front of a porch as to allow martins a clear approach and ability to exit smoothly without any hinderance. My reason for spacing them this way is to benefit the martins entrance and exits, while blocking a side swipe attack. The hawk would have to make a straight on direct path attack right into the porch; which is not common and the martin would get that slight second to see the hawk and escape. It eliminates the attack directions and options for the hawk.
Rob. You are correct in your comment about cage framework to the hub. The hub is permanently bolted through the square pole at the top. The hub is basically a square welded box upside down that fits over the square pole top. The cable wheel is welded to the square box. Then, four metal angle irons are welded outward from the hub base. Then, a 1 1/2 inch 31 foot metal band is welded to the ends of the four angle iron arms. I also welded four metal rods from the top of the hub box, above the roof slightly downward to met the four angle arms near the 31 foot metal band for added strength. The entire floor and rack move up and down the pole. The cage is stationary. I will take a few more pics in the near future to show more detail with the rack lowered.

[Martintown33]

Thanks for the detail Dave. Great design. And execution for sure. Really like your builds. The wire rope spacing distance and location definitely makes sense.
Rob

[Dave Duit]

I tried sending my cell phone pics showing more details, but it wasn't working. I hope you all can understand the set up with the first pics in the thread.

[brent]

I don’t know how I could do this. Rob, attaching a hub to the top of the pole and then attaching the cage to it allowing the house to be lifted into it would not be feasible for me. The poles are well over 10 feet, maybe 15 or 16. No way I can get up there. Does anyone know where or if they sell houses that are equipped with owl/hawk guards??? You’d think with us having so many problems with these predators some would be available. I am so concerned right now about a Great Horned Owl that I’ve had to chase from the martin houses three mornings now (not 3 straight mornings). I’m afraid it may be just a matter of time that it’ll get the martins. This morning (6 AM) it was perched on the peak of the roof of house “B”. It’s huge. No evidence of attack that I can see. Can’t stay up all night. I get up early, just before sunrise, and have been doing this to intervene with any early morning hawk attacks. One morning there it was, and again a few days after and again this morning. Very concerning. Upsetting to say the least. Hopefully it’ll leave them alone. Brent

[Dave Duit]

Hi Brent. It was a major undertaking adding this huge roof to the top of my pole. I added pics of my old owl cage 4X4 inch cage openings. Hawks used to pic them off while perching on the cage. Also pics of my new set up. Cable wheel, hub with metal rods from hub to round metal roof circle, underside of roof and edge of floor with anchor bolt from floor going through blue holes in PEX. I think the only possibility would be for you to weld a custom hub with welded arms and metal circle, then place it on top of the pole. Then, add the roofing after this hub and arms and metal circle are installed. Much less large lifting this way.

[Martintown33]

Hi Brent.. agree.. I understand it’s not easy.. that’s why I suggested a lighter version, framed with pvc pipe, instead of metal.. and then running the wire rope from the top and bottom frames.... no roof or floor.. just the wire rope strands protecting from side or front attack… the cage would be the wire rope strands.. . even this may require renting a lift from home depot, to attach the hub to the top of the pole.. obviously it can’t be done now..would have to be off-season project.. man, I hope that owl doesn’t hang around or get any of your martins.. has to be unsettling to see him up there. Bottle rockets my friend!
Rob

[brent]

Hi Rob and all. These are pictures I took yesterday morning at 6 AM. I was out this morning but I did not see it. It is a huge owl. Dave, thanks for the pictures. Rob, when you get started on yours please keep me informed on how the project developes. Not the best pictures but you can see what is threatening. Brent

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[Dave Duit]

Yikes Brent. Those Great Horned Owl pics make me shiver. I think your idea of lightening the weight without a roof is a good idea for most landlords.

[Martintown33]

Good luck with that owl Brent.. I’d fire some bottle rockets at him until he would decide to move on.
Rob