Windmills-Martins
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Bob Allnock
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 6:55 pm
- Location: Portersville, Pa.
Any thoughts on how windmills effect Martins? I have done all that I can think of to encourage Martins to my yard, the last thought I have is that I have a windmill close to the Martin housing. Could this be like a tree to the Martins, a place for predators to hide? The windmill is higher than the Martin housing. I would appreciate any thoughts anyone may have.
Bob Allnock Portersville, Pa.
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Hi Bob -
One of the largest sites in NW PA, that of the late Bob Bartlett, was in grape growing country just south of the lake shore. Bob actually had several sites around his farm, house, nearby family homes, etc - and boy did he have martins! His martins used to perch on the blades of the large windmill near his home colony site - of course, the fan blades were motionless at the time, but I recall him saying the martins sometimes 'rode' on the blades ferris wheel fashion, if the blades were rotating very slowly. So in Bob's case, the windmill simply offered a very large perching tree
I hope your efforts are successful this year - I seem to recall you had martins nesting a few years ago. What's the story at your site?
Louise
One of the largest sites in NW PA, that of the late Bob Bartlett, was in grape growing country just south of the lake shore. Bob actually had several sites around his farm, house, nearby family homes, etc - and boy did he have martins! His martins used to perch on the blades of the large windmill near his home colony site - of course, the fan blades were motionless at the time, but I recall him saying the martins sometimes 'rode' on the blades ferris wheel fashion, if the blades were rotating very slowly. So in Bob's case, the windmill simply offered a very large perching tree
I hope your efforts are successful this year - I seem to recall you had martins nesting a few years ago. What's the story at your site?
Louise
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Bob Allnock
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 6:55 pm
- Location: Portersville, Pa.
I did fledge two martins in 2003 but they never returned, have many martins visit every year but do not stay and I can not figure out why. The last remaining thing I could do was remove the windmill thinking maybe the Martins feared the fledgings hitting the blades or a hiding place for hawks. Did Bob Bartlett have Martins before he had the windmill? Once you get Martins it may not matter. Mine sat in a very windy spot and the blades turned very fast most of the time.
I know I am really reaching now but tried everything else and have a great place for Martins, thought I would temporarily remove the windmill as a last resort. Like I said I am really reaching out of frustration.
I heard you moved into your new facilities. How do you like your new home? I will visit soon.
Bob
I know I am really reaching now but tried everything else and have a great place for Martins, thought I would temporarily remove the windmill as a last resort. Like I said I am really reaching out of frustration.
I heard you moved into your new facilities. How do you like your new home? I will visit soon.
Bob
Bob Allnock Portersville, Pa.
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Guest
Bob,
Where is Portersville PA? I live in nw.PA. I live between Clarion and
Franklin on rt 322 a little place called Kossuth.
Don
Where is Portersville PA? I live in nw.PA. I live between Clarion and
Franklin on rt 322 a little place called Kossuth.
Don
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Bob Allnock
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 6:55 pm
- Location: Portersville, Pa.
Hi Don:
Portersville is about 15 miles south of exit 3 of I-80, about 3 miles from Moraine State Park, where there is a Martin Colony. Also about 40 miles north of Pittsburgh on I-79. There are about 16 colonies that I know of within 8 miles of Portersville, Pa.
I am familiar with Kossuth, do you have Martins?
Bob
Portersville is about 15 miles south of exit 3 of I-80, about 3 miles from Moraine State Park, where there is a Martin Colony. Also about 40 miles north of Pittsburgh on I-79. There are about 16 colonies that I know of within 8 miles of Portersville, Pa.
I am familiar with Kossuth, do you have Martins?
Bob
Bob Allnock Portersville, Pa.
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CUL Lou~Mich
Bob. I'm going to grasp a couple of straws here with you. Do the blades flash when turning? That could upset the PMs. Is there any way to stop the blades turning for the summer? Just a couple of thoughts, hope they help. CUL Lou
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Guest
Bob
I Don't have any,I get them to come and visit all summer long but none
has nested yet. There is one small colony about 2miles east of me.There are 4 large ponds for fishing & swimming about 1000 ft. from my house.I think the martins from that small colony feed here and thats why I have they off and on during the summer.I am about 5 or 6 miles north of Lake Kahle.This will be my first year with large home grown gourds.
Don
I Don't have any,I get them to come and visit all summer long but none
has nested yet. There is one small colony about 2miles east of me.There are 4 large ponds for fishing & swimming about 1000 ft. from my house.I think the martins from that small colony feed here and thats why I have they off and on during the summer.I am about 5 or 6 miles north of Lake Kahle.This will be my first year with large home grown gourds.
Don