powerlines

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martin hog
Posts: 51
Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2003 1:34 am
Location: texas/floydada

is setting a new gourd rack real close to powerlines to close.do ineed to set rack back . thanks CAJUN
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Emil Pampell-Tx
Posts: 6743
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas

I have no idea if the power lines would be a problem for the birds, but nobody, nowhere has ever thought that power lines were a problem that I know of. All that I know about power lines is that the martins love to sit on them....Just be careful if you have metal poles so that they don't touch the power lines.

I would be willing to say that power lines are a great help in attracting martins, as often the power line companys keep the trees cut down along the power lines...This is important to your martins, they don't like to have their housing near trees...That is the most important thing in attracting martins - keep your housing a long way from trees.
Good luck
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Dave S (Texas)
Posts: 151
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 11:42 am
Location: Round Rock, Tx

R U talking about lines to your house? The hot conductors will be insulated but it's best if there is enough room for the rack to sway and not come in contact with the lines. The insulation on those lines is extremely tough, but better safe than sorry. PMs just love power lines....the high overhead primary lines.
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Dave S (Texas)
Posts: 151
Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 11:42 am
Location: Round Rock, Tx

R U talking about lines to your house? The hot conductors will be insulated but it's best if there is enough room for the rack to sway and not come in contact with the lines. The insulation on those lines is extremely tough, but better safe than sorry. PMs just love power lines....the high overhead primary lines.
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dcartwright
Posts: 259
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 2:52 pm
Location: Winchester, Ky.

I have power lines to my house and high voltage lines very near my gourd rack and my PMs love them. Gives them a nice high line of sight for a good look out, especially the very high high voltage lines.
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Guest

Martins do love power lines.. Don
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Laverne
Posts: 2216
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
Location: TX/Alvin
Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.

Yes, but how close is too close?

Hey, Cajun - please make sure the housing is not close enough for a squirrel to jump from wire to house. That could prove tragic...

Otherwise, I agree with everyone else - Purple Martins love power lines!!

I hope you have a great season in 2006!
Sincerely,
Laverne
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Scully
Posts: 2009
Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2004 5:35 pm
Location: Texas/San Antonio

I have seen a single pair of martins using poorly sited housing here in San Antonio where the martins had to dive vertically between a set of local utility power lines to access the gourds which were set in a narrow open space between surrounding trees.

The lines didn't seem to slow the martins down any, and they frequently perched on those same power lines.

Mike Scully
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Eddie McKnight
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2003 7:02 am
Location: Moncks Corner, SC

I work for a power company and have seen tragedy around power lines and metal bird house poles. PLEASE stay away. The birds will find them if they wish.
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