Two topics - Eagles and cedar chips

[robndebby]

I know Eagles are birds of prey and we had a Bald Eagle take up residence a month ago. We actually saw him eating a duck from a nearby pond. Anyone ever had problems with Eagles preying on Martins?

Also, I know there is a lot of controversy about using cedar shavings, but year before last we had a horrible infestation of mites. The gourds and houses were covered with them. We had to change all the nests and put in new, was a terrible job on a hot day. We don't know how many we lost or saved. Last year we put a very thin layer of cedar shavings down with a pinch of Sevin dust, then topped it off with white pine needles. It was our most successful year of the past 15. We did the same this year. We feel the layer of pine needles on top of the cedar helps keep the birds a little drier if the shavings get wet, plus we also noticed the birds add their own little layer of leaves on top. So from our standpoint, we think cedar shavings are a plus.

Happy Martining everyone!

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

I don't know for a fact, but I don't think an eagle would waste its energy trying to catch a small martin...eagles want larger game.

I am glad the cedar, pine needles, and sevin worked for you...If it works then keep doing it...The only complaint I heard about cedar chips is that some birds toss it out, and if it gets wet, is absorbs some moisture. I prefer to keep the nests dry, and that avoids any moisture problem...Congratulations on your successful year last year, and continue to do what works for you..

[Leverett Doehring/Mo]

Hi
My experience with cedar chips, they are all not created equal, I have purchased and used 2 very different types. One type purchased from a farm supply called stall dry was a very soft and had very little red coloring, it compressed and was asorbant, these I think originated in the northwest and Canada. The other called, bedding for small animals, this is firm, the coloring is very red, This product originates from cedars grown in the central states (Mo,) I purchase this in large bags from wallmart and of course the older martins throw it out, usually the subbies use it. I also run wheat straw thru the shredder and throw it on the ground, this is what they build with.

[Bob Rogers]

I have found pine needles (soft white pine) along with Sevin work fine for me. I tried cedar chips, but my PM's seem to acccept nine needle better. They do dry out after a T-storm quite nicely, but once the PM's have added mud, all bets are off! Seven twice a year does wonders-for me anyway.

[Daniel Airola]

Don't worry about eagles and martins. Bald eagles are plunge divers that catch fish and waterbird in the water, and also eat carrion. They could never catch a martin in mid-air and wouldn't have the speed or agility to pick one off an elevated perch site.