First hawk attack

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
Martintown33
Posts: 1366
Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
Location: Laplace,La
Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack

I have a hawk that I’ve seen do 2 low fly byes, looking for porch sitters. So far no luck for him.
DAMN HAWKS!
PMCA member
Laplace, La
Top
birdman in buckhead
Posts: 181
Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2018 10:47 am
Location: Small Town Buckhead, GA (not ATL Buckhead)
Martin Colony History: 2018: 1 pair, 5 fledged
2019: 3 pairs, 10 fledged
2020: 3 pairs, 13 fledged
2021: 13 pairs, 46 fledged
2022: 22 pairs, 89 fledged
2023: 20 pairs, 85 fledged
2024: 18 pairs, 80 fledged
2025: 17 pairs, 80 fledged

It's easier for me to accept the circle of life concept of hawks killing martins to feed their newly hatched chicks, but this year is different with adult hawks killing and eating adult martins to feed themselves. Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong that hawks do not have hatchlings to feed at this time of year in north central Georgia - along the I-20 east/west corridor.
GEAUX TIGERS!

Cheers!
Terry
Top
LisaJ
Posts: 161
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 9:47 am
Location: North Texas

Preach! You are so right, Birdman!
LisaJ
Top
Martintown33
Posts: 1366
Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
Location: Laplace,La
Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack

I saw a hawk perched on one of 4 sunset inn houses, at a nearby colony today. I saw a hawk perched on top of my friend’s gourd rack yesterday. I’ve had one failed hawk attack on my site, and I’ve witnessed 2 failed fly byes. This is more hawk activity than I’ve ever seen in a season, ever, and this one is just at the beginning. The hawk population is becoming too numerous, and are learning and evolving to rely on Martin housing for food. Regulations must be changed to adapt to the exploding number of hawks and the danger they present to purple martins, whose populations are declining. Hawk Control measures must be instituted.
Damn hawks!
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
Top
LisaJ
Posts: 161
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 9:47 am
Location: North Texas

Agree!!
Top
brent
Posts: 1280
Joined: Sat Feb 10, 2018 2:43 pm
Location: Raceland, Louisiana

Hi all. Today I was out in the garden. I didn’t see a hawk for 2 days now. I keep an air horn with me at all times. So all of a sudden the martins were alerting at the highest. I took the horn in hand. I didn’t see a thing and then bang. It was a Cooper’s and it attacked the decoys. I blew the horn 3 times and it was on it’s way. No martins taken. Good chance I was out there. I do believe the horn works in that the hawk associates me with the horn. It does react to the loud sound. It doesn’t always work. The decoys help, too. I grouped them this time so I had a cluster of decoys. It worked. I have Super Martis too. I forgot who gave me the idea but he is a frequent forum friend. Thanks to him I have a couple of decoys that look like they are on the fly. This really helps. Good luck every one. BTW, my nest check today revealed that all the compartments have nest. Most are complete with both brown and green leaves. Eggs any day now. More reason to be out there. Got to protect them. Brent
Brent
Top
LisaJ
Posts: 161
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 9:47 am
Location: North Texas

My new arsenal… air horn! Damn Hawks!
No nests yet for me. But any day now, I think nest building will begin. Good luck, everyone!!
LisaJ
Top
Martintown33
Posts: 1366
Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
Location: Laplace,La
Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack

Hi Brent. Congrats on your nest building being completed. Mine are just starting to build. I carry my air horn at all times too..
Good luck
DAMN HAWKS!
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Purple Martin Forum”