You could either not offer Zick Dough until the grackles move on (they are migrating this time of year, along with red-winged blackbirds) or build a bluebird feeder that won't admit larger birds; or use coated wire to build a cage around the feeder you are using now. I found a feeder that had a cage to exclude larger birds worked fine for me.
You're right, grackles (there are 3 species in N America) are native songbirds, not fair game like starlings and house sparrows. There are exceptions for some blackbird species, but I think you'd be better off using a grackle-proof feeder - it will work whether you are home or not.
Martin Colony History: I moved to South Florida, from Delaware, in August of 2015.
I care for a 6 condo Sunset House as well as two Deluxe Gourd Racks, with 24 Chirpynest/Excluder gourds, along a canal in Pompano Beach, Florida.
At Quiet Waters Park, nearby in Deerfield Beach, I care for a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 TVG's. I also care for a Deluxe Gourd rack with 12 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder entrances. I am substituting 6 Chirpynest boxes for 6 of the Conley II entranced gourds in 2026.
At another local park, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, I care for a Trendsetter 12, 5 gourds rack with 60 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder Entrances and 1 Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 Troyer Vertical Gourds with Starling Stoppers over the Conley II's to keep out smaller starlings.
On a slightly different note, I have two or three grackle nests, every season, fairly close to my martin housing. They even sit on the martin housing to watch their nests in the holly bushes. The martins do not seem to mind and the grackles will chase crows, hawks and such. Good watchdogs.
David, welcome to the forum.
Indiana law reads"Common Grackles can be taken without a permit if the birds are commiting or are about to commit depradations upon ornamental or shade trees,agricultural crops,livestock, or WILDLIFE, or concentrated in numbers and in a manner that constitutes a health hazard or nuisance as provided under 50CFR16.
When I bought my place 12 years ago, Grackles had my White Pine grove as a communal rookery. It was dirty and gross underneath from their trashy nests and defecation. I got after them and reduced that behavior by 95%, this year I am going for 100% removal because last year I witnessed a Grackle fly off with a Chipping Sparrow baby.
They have damaged my property and the local wildlife enough in my neck of the woods.
I must say I am always glad to see the grackles arrive in the spring, along with the red winged blackbirds. They are the first sure sign of spring in my area. When I hear their distinctive chirping I know the warm weather can't be too far off.
I have had no problems with them other than they and the red wings can eat a lot of bird seed at the feeder. That's a fair tradeoff any day for a harbinger of spring.
Hanover Bill.
2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
this is the time i take all feeders down and pour it on the ground let them finish it off i too like carlton have some to nest close to the martins they have never bothered the martins also have a redwing nest at the head of the pond every year they help with the hawk chase
I also have come to appreciate the grackles and red-wings. They are a great ally against the owl. When the owl flies in each evening they will chase him from tree to tree until he is far away from the martins. They do eat a lot of birdseed, so I've had to cut back to smaller feeders. I feed them in appreciation for their services, just not as much as I used to.
Wow, excellent information everyone. Thanks so much!
Jeff, thanks for the IN Law reference. Sounds like you have had some pretty major problems with them. Good luck with getting rid of the rest of them this year.
I will probably just watch over the next week or so and see if they return. I havent put up my Martin box yet, but if they are still a problem by that time, I will ditch the other feeders.
Location: Pennsylvania/Espyville/Pymatuning Reservoir Area
Martin Colony History: Taking care of 11 active public colonies and trying to start two more in northwestern PA. Also attempting to restart another one in southwestern PA, in Collier Township's Hilltop Park. In 2017, not sure what happened but the ASY male returned and then a couple of weeks later he was gone. It could have been weather related. No other birds showed up. I had a starling nesting at the Public site that I had trouble getting rid of. In 2018, we fledged 629 martins at all of the sites.
I have some grackles around my place and they have never caused a problem for the martins, or anything else. In my opinion they are just an extra set of eyes looking from hawks an owls.
I am going to make a batch of Zick dough soon - bluebirds, cardinals, woodpeckers, mockers and warblers like it.
Here is a winter dough recipe for bluebirds from Julie Zickefoose - bluebirds love it. Carolina Wrens and other birds will eat it, including cardinals. (google Julie Zickefoose for her blog with more about bluebirds). I was able to find small bags of duMor chick starter at tractor supply.
NEW ZICK DOUGH: SMALL BATCH
Melt in the microwave and stir together:
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup lard
In a large mixing bowl, combine
2 cups chick starter *
2 cups quick oats
1 cup yellow cornmeal and
1 cup flour
Add melted lard/peanut butter mixture to the combined dry ingredients and mix well.
* Julie: Be sure to use unmedicated chick starter. Check the label--the last thing we want is to give antibiotics to wild birds! A good choice is DuMor chick starter - check feed stores. A small bag is 20 lbs."
You can make a bigger batch, but do the melting on stove and then have large pot for mixing it all up. Might need to use your hands after initial stirring. The final product is crumbles, not a solid mass - place the Zick Dough in a small bowl or tray feeder. A covered feeder will protect it from rain/snow.
Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
I have a good number of Grackles that nest in the pines surrounding my property. I have mixed feelings on them.
Bad - They take the fecal sack from their nest and like to deposit it in water. This makes a mess of my pool cover or pool itself and small pond. Luckily they are done nesting by the first of June and this comes to a halt. They have also raided smaller birds nests and got in conflicts a few times with Martins.
Good - They are fierce at protecting the yard from Hawks. With them and the Robins and Bluejays. The Hawks can't just sit in a tree and hunt. The Martins and treeswallows take the hawks on in the upper sky, while these guys escort hawks out of the trees and nearby woods. Being a larger bird they can really hold up well to drive out the hawks. Good combination.
Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
Grackles can be a real problem at bird feeders eating massive amounts of seed. I have a couple weight sensitive feeders that help somewhat but not a whole lot. They eat just about everything so you can't really deter them that way. The only sure way to prevent them from getting the seed is buying a cage feeder that they can't get at.
I made a similar batch of dough, but I added sunflower hearts and golden raisens. I put it in a Bell Feeder where I lower the top low enough that only the Bluebirds and smaller birds can get in (keeps the starlings out). The dough lasts a long time in the refrigerator, and they've been scarfing it up for weeks now!
The Grackles don't bother the martins, and this morning two of them in the yard didn't prevent a Sharpie from taking another Goldfinch that flew off the feeder too late.
However, I am assuming Grackles are protected.