Hi,
We have had some very windy days and it makes me nervous watching the houses sway. Is it OK to lower the house halfway and leave it that way overnight or until the wind stops? The Martins are not nesting yet and I am wondering if this would distress them into leaving?
Raising And Lowering House Due To Wind
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kimball911
- Posts: 180
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 6:33 pm
- Location: Kansas/Iola
You can lower it anytime of day, except when they are in it. DO NOT LOWER THE HOUSE IF THEY'VE ALREADY GONE TO BED. It is windy everyday in Kansas and unless it is gusting 30-40 mph, the poles will withstand it. I usually lower mine if a big storm is forecast or I'm worried the eggs may rock around. Only lower it one section and this will still keep it high enough to make them comfortable, but low enough to decrease swaying. Good luck - my first scout arrived yesterday and has been sitting on the house just a singing. Absolutely beautiful....
Yes, I do it all the time. Especially before a big storm is forecasted. Don't bother my PM at all. But, as Kimball said "don't do it after dark". I've even lower one of mine right before dusk cause of a door problem. They all fly out complaining, but came right back. I never tamper with the houses after total darkness as suggested above.
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
RC, others
I have lowered-house anxiety. Ha. But storm anxiety too. Have had two telescoping poles bend in wind this spring. Don't overload 'um folks.
Re: lowering, If I did this in the evening before a storm my main house on winch and round pole would lower from about 12.5 foot at the top to maybe 7' at the top. Isn't that too much? I fear martins not coming into roost. I can't leave it half way or it would twist in the wind.
John Miller
I have lowered-house anxiety. Ha. But storm anxiety too. Have had two telescoping poles bend in wind this spring. Don't overload 'um folks.
Re: lowering, If I did this in the evening before a storm my main house on winch and round pole would lower from about 12.5 foot at the top to maybe 7' at the top. Isn't that too much? I fear martins not coming into roost. I can't leave it half way or it would twist in the wind.
John Miller
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Guest
This may not work in some circumstances but during sudden storms that roll in during the night, Gary and I have rushed outdoors and secured the telescoping poles with heavy duty bungee cords hooked together, dock lines and/or any other substantial material. Our site is fortunate enough to have a fence, cleaning station, and our house pilings to tie to. I don't know how this would work in an open field. (tent stales???)
This seems a bit rube-goldberg but it has worked quite well for us. We usually tie down the poles before we leave for an extended period of time.
Next year we plan to add another heavy duty gourd rack as to eliminate the flimsy telescoping poles.
Sue
City by the Sea, TX
This seems a bit rube-goldberg but it has worked quite well for us. We usually tie down the poles before we leave for an extended period of time.
Next year we plan to add another heavy duty gourd rack as to eliminate the flimsy telescoping poles.
Sue
City by the Sea, TX
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kimball911
- Posts: 180
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 6:33 pm
- Location: Kansas/Iola
Well, so much for following advise. Had my first four martins of the season arrive yesterday and decided to spend the night. I've had Martins for 12-15 years. A storm sprung up during the late evening after I had retired for the night and my husband took it upon himself to run outside and lower the houses. They flew out and it's 8:00 pm now and they've not shown back up. Any ideas from anyone???? It makes me just sick to think about not having a brood this year. If he would've just asked me before doing it.
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Bob Flam
You had them that long they'll be back Kimball...don't worry.
Nanette yes you can leave them down longer than 24 hours. I know people who's done it 3 days.
The martins really don't mind lowering the houses. At night isn't the best idea. Ya know it depends on how new the colony is, how long they been there, how devoted are they to the site and all.
I had a pair nest in my BlueBird pole last year. Was a martin gourd instead of BB gourd and just wanted to see. A pair fledged babies out of it last year. The gourd was 5 feet high.
It's not a good idea to leave em too low though. They need that height to get a dive off the housing, and speed up to escape hawks and owl attacks.
bob
Nanette yes you can leave them down longer than 24 hours. I know people who's done it 3 days.
The martins really don't mind lowering the houses. At night isn't the best idea. Ya know it depends on how new the colony is, how long they been there, how devoted are they to the site and all.
I had a pair nest in my BlueBird pole last year. Was a martin gourd instead of BB gourd and just wanted to see. A pair fledged babies out of it last year. The gourd was 5 feet high.
It's not a good idea to leave em too low though. They need that height to get a dive off the housing, and speed up to escape hawks and owl attacks.
bob
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Guest
Nanette,
We have pretty windy conditions here at times along the Gulf coast. My house (wooden T14) is 12' high. I will lower it to 10' as early as possible before they return for the night. Birds will go about their business as usual. Only don't do it after they have gone in for the night. I know 2' may not be much, but when you can get a 90lb house two feet lower, it can only help in windy situations. Don't know how high your house is, wouldn't recommend too low, near 8' is about as low I would go if you don't think your pole can handle high winds. As others mentioned, they do need some height to swoop down to get lift to escape any ariel predators. Good Luck.
We have pretty windy conditions here at times along the Gulf coast. My house (wooden T14) is 12' high. I will lower it to 10' as early as possible before they return for the night. Birds will go about their business as usual. Only don't do it after they have gone in for the night. I know 2' may not be much, but when you can get a 90lb house two feet lower, it can only help in windy situations. Don't know how high your house is, wouldn't recommend too low, near 8' is about as low I would go if you don't think your pole can handle high winds. As others mentioned, they do need some height to swoop down to get lift to escape any ariel predators. Good Luck.
Kimball911,
Oh my gosh! To be honest, I was wondering what would happen if you did lower it at night. Please keep me informed! My colony isn't near as old as yours so I would imagine your martins are pretty dedicated to your site.
Again, let us know what happens!
Suegary,
At the risk of sounding stupid, I have never seen a telescoping pole (or a tilting one) and I am curious how they work.
Thanks Bob, That is good to know. There was a point where the wind didn't die down for 3 days. Worrying about the poles literally keeps me up at night when the wind is blowing! I also have a T-14 which is on a 3" square aluminum pole and it barely moved at all, even in 40 - 50 mph gusts.
Oh my gosh! To be honest, I was wondering what would happen if you did lower it at night. Please keep me informed! My colony isn't near as old as yours so I would imagine your martins are pretty dedicated to your site.
Again, let us know what happens!
Suegary,
At the risk of sounding stupid, I have never seen a telescoping pole (or a tilting one) and I am curious how they work.
Thanks Bob, That is good to know. There was a point where the wind didn't die down for 3 days. Worrying about the poles literally keeps me up at night when the wind is blowing! I also have a T-14 which is on a 3" square aluminum pole and it barely moved at all, even in 40 - 50 mph gusts.
Fledge on!
Nanette
Nanette
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Guest
The telescoping pole I am refering to is the kind found in feed and hardware stores. You telescope it to the desired height and stick a curved metal pin in a flanged area on the side of the pole and push it around the pole. These are somewhat flemsy and have been known to bend in a big wind. My super rack does'nt even budge in a big wind. We sometimes get winds 50-60 mph before a big storm.
The remaining telescoping poles will be history next year!
Sue
City by the Sea, TX
The remaining telescoping poles will be history next year!
Sue
City by the Sea, TX
Suegary,
Do you have to lift the weight of the house to extend the pole???
Looks like we are in a tornado watch for the evening so I'd better go lower the houses!
Kimball, are your birds back home?
Do you have to lift the weight of the house to extend the pole???
Looks like we are in a tornado watch for the evening so I'd better go lower the houses!
Kimball, are your birds back home?
Fledge on!
Nanette
Nanette
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Guest
Yes, we have to "oomph" the weight and lift as the pole sections slide up....a scary proposition if the gourds or housing is heavy. I now only have 6 gourds instead of 8 on the telescoping poles. My little wooden house on a telescoping pole was originally a 6 compartment but I changed it to a 3. It's not that heavy. I'm looking forward to getting another deluxe rack for next season.
May the wind go around your colony and not through it!
Sue
City by the Sea, TX
May the wind go around your colony and not through it!
Sue
City by the Sea, TX