totally devastated
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Guest
James, I am sorry to hear about your loss to a rat snake. They will sure climb a pole, tree or most anything. I took down a pole I had in service last year and failed to remove the bird netting and stored it in my barn. To my surprise, I found a chicken snake (5 feet long) caught and died as they will if someone is not there to release them. At least it want climb my martin poles. Fill
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NancyinEnidOK
- Posts: 158
- Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:06 pm
- Location: Oklahoma/Enid
James, that is really a tragedy. A lot of people have lost Martins to snakes. As devastated as you must be about it, please don't give up and please don't beat yourself up! We all learn from experience -- our own experiences or those of others. Some day this experience will allow you to help another landlord avoid this kind of loss. Best regards for a much happier rest of the season! 
Nancy
PMCA MEMBER
PMCA MEMBER
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KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
James,
Don't give up! My aunt had a snake attack year before last and her martins have returned for the last 2 years. I think her numbers may be down, but they are coming back.
Good luck!
Don't give up! My aunt had a snake attack year before last and her martins have returned for the last 2 years. I think her numbers may be down, but they are coming back.
Good luck!
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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tonyg
- Posts: 1520
- Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
- Location: Olpe, KS
- Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..
No James, the snake didn't completly wipe me out. But he did get quite a few baby birds. We were on vacation for 10 days and came back , and when i did a nest check, I found a snake skin in a compartment. A couple of days later he was back up there and when i found him he had already devoured 2 more babies..it was the last 2 he ever ate. But my martins did return the following year, jsut didn't have the numbers I had the previous year. So don't give up, they will be back..
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!