Hello. I finally got an adult male and female to spend the last two nights in my house. Today, I got home at 12:30 and saw the male on the house raising a ruckus. I went out to investigate and found a female desperately trying to exit one of the SREH holes. Since I had been gone for five hours, I don't know how long she had been stuck. I was at the bottom of the pole and watched her struggle and struggle to get out. Okay, I am a newcomer, only had my first pair staying for the last two nights, so now what do I do. I don't want to frighten them away by lowering the house but I don't want her to get hurt trying to get out. I finally decided it is still early in the season and if they leave and don't come back, I can hopefully still attract other pairs. I just couldn't stand there and watch her struggle. I lowered the house, at which time, to my surprise, two martins left the top compartment. I got the house down to eye level and she was still trying to get out, especially since we were face to face at this point. I opened up the outer door and she flew off. All three birds made a beeline away from my house. I feel confident I did the right thing, but sure wish I knew if they were going to come back. In the situation I just described, do martins since fear with what I did or possibly, just possibly, do they look at it in terms of me helping them? On top of that, they are calling for bad storms for us here Arkansas tomorrow and I have been considering lowering my house a few feet. With what just happened and me lowering my house tomorrow, I am afraid the pair I have, if they come back, will really be stressed out. Any thoughts.
Tim
Martin stuck inside house
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Tim Mangan-Kansas
- Posts: 1728
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- Location: Kansas, Pittsburg
- Martin Colony History: 2016 - 22 Pair
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Peggy Riley
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Tim, please don't worry! You did the right thing. This is not unusual and really shows why you have to keep a watch everyday. Was she really stuck with a wing on the inside/outside or just having trouble getting out? If she was just having trouble getting out check for traction on the inside of the hole. If it is slick you'll need to add something like outdoor tape used on steps. I think it is made by 3M.
It has happened to me once this year, and twice I think last year. They'll come back.
Peggy
It has happened to me once this year, and twice I think last year. They'll come back.
Peggy
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Guest
Also... measure the opening. Make sure it measures correctly. The height dimension (1 & 3/16") is important .I have had to take an exacto knife to a couple and shave off a fraction to make it right. Then she should have no problem.
Tim,
I agree with Peggy. You definitely did the right thing. If she was still trying to get out, while you were lowering the pole, and even when it was all the way down, then she was really stuck!
I personally believe that the martins do understand that humans lowering, and opening the house, is not any sort of predatory, or life threatening event, but more simply an "annoyance".
You're pair should definitely be back.
I agree with Peggy. You definitely did the right thing. If she was still trying to get out, while you were lowering the pole, and even when it was all the way down, then she was really stuck!
I personally believe that the martins do understand that humans lowering, and opening the house, is not any sort of predatory, or life threatening event, but more simply an "annoyance".
You're pair should definitely be back.
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Tim Mangan-Kansas
- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:25 am
- Location: Kansas, Pittsburg
- Martin Colony History: 2016 - 22 Pair
Thanks for the encouraging words but it has been four hours since the incident and no sign of them.
Peggy, she did not have a wing or foot stuck; she just could not get out. It was in one of my lower levels of my Coates 8 compartment house. I had already put down two sided tape on the inside of all of my compartments as well as the two gourds I hung from below the house. She did mess up the tape in her struggels so, for some reason, she was just apparently sliding while trying to get out.
Kelly, I have not, but will check the dimensions of all my openings tomorrow.
From all I have read on the forum, though there are pro's and con's, I am forcing myself to stay committed to the SREH. Although I am new at this, I really believe it will be for the best in the long run, but man, is it frustrating especially when you are trying to start a new colony.
Tim
Peggy, she did not have a wing or foot stuck; she just could not get out. It was in one of my lower levels of my Coates 8 compartment house. I had already put down two sided tape on the inside of all of my compartments as well as the two gourds I hung from below the house. She did mess up the tape in her struggels so, for some reason, she was just apparently sliding while trying to get out.
Kelly, I have not, but will check the dimensions of all my openings tomorrow.
From all I have read on the forum, though there are pro's and con's, I am forcing myself to stay committed to the SREH. Although I am new at this, I really believe it will be for the best in the long run, but man, is it frustrating especially when you are trying to start a new colony.
Tim
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kimball911
- Posts: 180
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 6:33 pm
- Location: Kansas/Iola
Tim- Could there have been some of the tape that did not get stuck down in the house and was maybe sticking to the Martin. I am just surmising as I've never had this happen in my own colony. Don't worry about lowering the house at 4:00 in the afternoon. They really only get scared if you do it after dark. A lot of times, especially when they have babies, I will tap gently on the pole before I start pulling it down to let the parents know I'm out there. If they don't come back, you'll get some more. I've got 5 boys now. Hang in there....
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Guest
Hi Tim-
Is it possible that the other bird was holding on the the female that was struggling to get out? Some of the battles can be pretty rough inside cavities- I have seen birds (usually male vs. male or female vs. female) fighting so roughly that the one struggles hard to exit a round hole entrance.
Food for thought. Don't worry about lowering your pole- it won't bother the birds.
Good luck! Keep us posted, okay?
Is it possible that the other bird was holding on the the female that was struggling to get out? Some of the battles can be pretty rough inside cavities- I have seen birds (usually male vs. male or female vs. female) fighting so roughly that the one struggles hard to exit a round hole entrance.
Food for thought. Don't worry about lowering your pole- it won't bother the birds.
Good luck! Keep us posted, okay?
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Guest
Tim,
This sort of thing does happen. "Martin Mishaps" are described at www.purplemartin.org/update/10(1)mishaps.html .
Tony
This sort of thing does happen. "Martin Mishaps" are described at www.purplemartin.org/update/10(1)mishaps.html .
Tony
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John Miller
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- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Tim
Was this traction tape (Safety Walk from 3M) or something else. Thank You.
John Miller
Was this traction tape (Safety Walk from 3M) or something else. Thank You.
John Miller
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Tim Mangan-Kansas
- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:25 am
- Location: Kansas, Pittsburg
- Martin Colony History: 2016 - 22 Pair
Late last evening as it was getting dark, I saw my adult male return to my house. Since he landed on the far side of the house which I cannot see, I do not know if he went in and stayed the night or left when I was not looking. Don't know if the female was with him or not either. This morning, the male has been back and has on several occassions, gone out and attracted four other adult birds, two male and two females, who have landed on the house each time with several fights ensuing. (It is really tough on me to watch two of the males get in a fight and fall straight down into the lake water. But, they take to wing and fly right back up.) I am pretty sure this is my original pair that spent the previous two nights at my house.
Randy and John, I used two sided sticky tape. The strips I put down are half inch wide and about an inch and a half long. My original pair that has been here for a week and spent two nights in the house have not had any problems entering or exiting the SREH holes with the tape I put down. However, do you think I should I replace this two sided sticky tape with the traction tape from 3M that has been suggested?
Tim
Randy and John, I used two sided sticky tape. The strips I put down are half inch wide and about an inch and a half long. My original pair that has been here for a week and spent two nights in the house have not had any problems entering or exiting the SREH holes with the tape I put down. However, do you think I should I replace this two sided sticky tape with the traction tape from 3M that has been suggested?
Tim
Tim are you saying the tape is sticky on both sides? If so, that's probably why she was stuck. I use the Outdoor Tread Tape as traction for them. Here's a picture of it. You can get it at Lowe's or Wal-Mart.
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....... Pat
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John Miller
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Tim
Yes, don't use double sided sticky tape. I don't know if she got stuck on it, but the sticky residue would get on a bird's feet, feathers, likely cause harm.
Use the "safety" tape as picture above, or the brand I mentioned from 3M. I guess you could put this tape on top of your present tape. It has a rough sand paper texture on top and adhesive on the underside.
I prefer to put down a spot of paint and sprinkle fine sand on it, but as you have birds coming and going this is to be considered for next year. I guess you could sprinkle sand on top of your sticky tape if you get it down thoroughly, but make sure there's no sticky surface.
John Miller
Yes, don't use double sided sticky tape. I don't know if she got stuck on it, but the sticky residue would get on a bird's feet, feathers, likely cause harm.
Use the "safety" tape as picture above, or the brand I mentioned from 3M. I guess you could put this tape on top of your present tape. It has a rough sand paper texture on top and adhesive on the underside.
I prefer to put down a spot of paint and sprinkle fine sand on it, but as you have birds coming and going this is to be considered for next year. I guess you could sprinkle sand on top of your sticky tape if you get it down thoroughly, but make sure there's no sticky surface.
John Miller
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Guest
Tim,
Please don't worry about scaring your martins by lowering the house. During nesting time here at my place, I do nest checks EVERY 3 days, sometimes every day, if I'm feeling particularly nosey
The only time you would not want to lower your housing is after dark when they have already come in to roost. Lowering the house after dark is not good.
So far this season I have lowered my housing a LOT. To put crickets on the porches, to add nesting material in my trays and to do nest checks to check their progress on nest building. As I approach their housing I just talk to them softly and tell them I'm going to lower the house and look (not like they know what I'm saying) but they understand. They will fly and glide over head while I'm checking out each room and gourd. During the time the eggs and babies are here I will take my data sheet and camera out each time to write down the info for each nest and take pictures of the eggs or babies.
I believe my numbers exploded from 3 pair to 23 pair, because of all the interaction and constant nest checks I do.
But do get rid of that double sided tape. That is dangerous for their feathers. Replace it with that traction tape pictured. I use the traction tape.
Please know your martins will thrive with your nest checks.
Please don't worry about scaring your martins by lowering the house. During nesting time here at my place, I do nest checks EVERY 3 days, sometimes every day, if I'm feeling particularly nosey
The only time you would not want to lower your housing is after dark when they have already come in to roost. Lowering the house after dark is not good.
So far this season I have lowered my housing a LOT. To put crickets on the porches, to add nesting material in my trays and to do nest checks to check their progress on nest building. As I approach their housing I just talk to them softly and tell them I'm going to lower the house and look (not like they know what I'm saying) but they understand. They will fly and glide over head while I'm checking out each room and gourd. During the time the eggs and babies are here I will take my data sheet and camera out each time to write down the info for each nest and take pictures of the eggs or babies.
I believe my numbers exploded from 3 pair to 23 pair, because of all the interaction and constant nest checks I do.
But do get rid of that double sided tape. That is dangerous for their feathers. Replace it with that traction tape pictured. I use the traction tape.
Please know your martins will thrive with your nest checks.
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Guest
Tim,
Please don't worry about scaring your martins by lowering the house. During nesting time here at my place, I do nest checks EVERY 3 days, sometimes every day, if I'm feeling particularly nosey
The only time you would not want to lower your housing is after dark when they have already come in to roost. Lowering the house after dark is not good.
So far this season I have lowered my housing a LOT. To put crickets on the porches, to add nesting material in my trays and to do nest checks to check their progress on nest building. As I approach their housing I just talk to them softly and tell them I'm going to lower the house and look (not like they know what I'm saying) but they understand. They will fly and glide over head while I'm checking out each room and gourd. During the time the eggs and babies are here I will take my data sheet and camera out each time to write down the info for each nest and take pictures of the eggs or babies.
I believe my numbers exploded from 3 pair to 23 pair, because of all the interaction and constant nest checks I do.
But do get rid of that double sided tape. That is dangerous for their feathers. Replace it with that traction tape pictured. I use the traction tape.
Please know your martins will thrive with your nest checks.
Please don't worry about scaring your martins by lowering the house. During nesting time here at my place, I do nest checks EVERY 3 days, sometimes every day, if I'm feeling particularly nosey
The only time you would not want to lower your housing is after dark when they have already come in to roost. Lowering the house after dark is not good.
So far this season I have lowered my housing a LOT. To put crickets on the porches, to add nesting material in my trays and to do nest checks to check their progress on nest building. As I approach their housing I just talk to them softly and tell them I'm going to lower the house and look (not like they know what I'm saying) but they understand. They will fly and glide over head while I'm checking out each room and gourd. During the time the eggs and babies are here I will take my data sheet and camera out each time to write down the info for each nest and take pictures of the eggs or babies.
I believe my numbers exploded from 3 pair to 23 pair, because of all the interaction and constant nest checks I do.
But do get rid of that double sided tape. That is dangerous for their feathers. Replace it with that traction tape pictured. I use the traction tape.
Please know your martins will thrive with your nest checks.
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Tim Mangan-Kansas
- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:25 am
- Location: Kansas, Pittsburg
- Martin Colony History: 2016 - 22 Pair
Pat, John and Angela, thanks for the input about the tape. It is little things like this that were not explained in the purple martin books I read over the winter. This morning I went to Lowe's and got some "skid guard safety tape", which is what you described above.
Tony, the tape is in a roll 96" long and it is 2" wide. It has adhesive on the bottom and black, gritty looking sandpaper on the top. The roll I got was around $4.50.
I hear my male martin outside squaking as I write this reply. They are usually gone between 4 & 6, so I will go out and replace the tape at that time.
Right now, my biggest concern are the storms they are calling for Arkansas coming in tonight.
Tim
Tony, the tape is in a roll 96" long and it is 2" wide. It has adhesive on the bottom and black, gritty looking sandpaper on the top. The roll I got was around $4.50.
I hear my male martin outside squaking as I write this reply. They are usually gone between 4 & 6, so I will go out and replace the tape at that time.
Right now, my biggest concern are the storms they are calling for Arkansas coming in tonight.
Tim
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Guest
Tim,
If you need to lower your housing during storms, the martins will adapt also. We get some pretty bad storms,here in Texas on a regular basis. I will often lower my housing down to about 7 or 8 feet and the martins come right back & sit on the house & ride out the storm, then when the threat passes, I go back out & raise the house up. Just don't do it after dark
If you need to lower your housing during storms, the martins will adapt also. We get some pretty bad storms,here in Texas on a regular basis. I will often lower my housing down to about 7 or 8 feet and the martins come right back & sit on the house & ride out the storm, then when the threat passes, I go back out & raise the house up. Just don't do it after dark
This the reason I have the Harbor Freight $8 digital Calipers that measures is thousands and MM's. I have found tht Factory cute srehs can vary a small amount due to the manufacturing process, dies wear, cutters get dull, ECT.... IMO some PM's have a longer learning curve than others. This includes getting out also. They have got to learn to rotate their breast alittle to clear 1 3/16" opening IMO. Some learn quickly and others, well let's say are slower!
IMO this is what make excluders tougher to learn, they have to spread their wings and rotate slightly IMO.
I had a ASY Male I swear couldn't get into a 2" round hole, after I got through enlarging the srehs it looked like a 2" to me, but it was only 1/16th or so larger at the bottom in the center. I too couldn't stand him trying for hours everyday trying to pop in.
IMO this is what make excluders tougher to learn, they have to spread their wings and rotate slightly IMO.
I had a ASY Male I swear couldn't get into a 2" round hole, after I got through enlarging the srehs it looked like a 2" to me, but it was only 1/16th or so larger at the bottom in the center. I too couldn't stand him trying for hours everyday trying to pop in.