Can I move Martin House

[ky395]

I have six Bo Eleven Gourds on a twelve foot pole sitting beside a one acre pond in front of my house. Last year all six gourds were full - no vacancy - all the babies survived even with the excessive heat we had. I can't see the Martin house very well from my house because of a few trees in my front yard. I would like to move the Martin house to my back yard where I could enjoy the Martins from my patio. Question: Is it o.k. to move the house and will the Martins accept the new location? The move would be about 250 feet.
Thanks for any help and answers!!!

[flyin-lowe]

How many years have you had martins at your site? I am guessing last year was not the first year since all your gourds were full.

[ky395]

Tried for many years with only a few visitors. All of a sudden last year they were fighting over nesting holes.

[Kevin-GA]

Hey Bill, you will probably get mixed opinions on moving your setup. I did the same thing your asking about two years ago because of Owl problems. We moved the system about 400yrds from the pond to our home-site. If you will keep the north-south direction of your setup the same and the gourds in the same orientation, I think they will accept the move. We only had 1 pair nest at the pond site and the next year after moving it, the same pair came back to the very same gourd! We had a great season with 19 pair and no more Owl problems.
I think its very important to have your setup close to home, so you can monitor it closely. The martins seem to like it better, and you will enjoy it so much more!
P.S. That is providing that you have an open area at home for the system, if your home-site will be encroached with trees you could loose your colony.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

My opinion, and its an opinion because I don't have a pond, is that the martins will follow the pole PROVIDED that you have an open area with no trees at your new location. If you have trees near the housing, they may not come to the new location. It also somewhat depends upon how much housing is available on the pond or on nearby ponds, as martins will move to get to a place near a pond, they simply love ponds. The ponds give them 180 degrees of proctection from owls and hawks.

I once moved a pole, did it in steps, moved it about 10feet every day, and the martins had no problem whatsoever. I made a temporary pole out of a 2x4 with a large base so that it would not tip over, and moved it regularly. The martins are very tolerant if the new location is as good as the old location.

[Tony]

Why not add another pole with six gourds where you were going to move the pole this year. Then when your martins come back the old pole will still be there and the new pole will be available for overflow. If some nest in the new pole this year move the other pole next year and they should all move over. I sent you a private message too.

[John Miller]

Agree that if your yard site is very open, your chances are better, but it's a pretty far move and I think 50-50, especially as your colony is not large. would suggest you set up a second rack by your house and build up to more pairs -- 18 pairs maybe between the two racks in hollering distance and in following year maybe move the pond rack into your yard as well.

John

[apundt-TX]

check out this video Larry made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCOQmG7dgV8

[~Ray~Gingerich]

Bill, it took you a long time to get those martins so why don't you play it safe? Leave the rack where it is this year but plug the openings to half of them, put up an identical rack where you want it. If enough martins move over there then you can take the original rack down next year. I'm not saying it wouldn't work to move the rack now, but that's the way I would do it.

[James Strickland FL]

I would do what everyone has said. Put a pole up in the back yard and have both. Also cut the trees down so that you can see the Martins. If you were lucky to get martins, do not try to run them off. Get a chair and go sit under the tree and watch them if you do not wish to cut down the trees.

[DornCounty]

i like the idea of adding a 2nd rack then moving the other one next year having 2 in the back yard. If adding one is not an option, move the setup where the best place for you to take good care of the martins is. You may suffer a couple down seasons, but if it allows you to take better care of them, then do it!

[cary-nw-fla]

I know I'm new at this... but if its an option for you, I would just expand your available housing by adding the pole at the new location, leaving the current housing where it is. Lets you colony expand, doesn't disrupt the PM s returning, and like someone said "you can't have enough housing" (of course some may also disagree with that).
Have a good & plentiful season.

[Doug Martin - PA]

I think you will be ok to move the post. But doing so will have risk. You will also go nuts watching them hover the area where you removed the post from. It will be stressful but eventually they will check out the rack where you moved it and some should settle in. They may arrive at quite different times and one by one may get disenchanted and go "elsewhere" if "elsewhere" exists. Elsewhere could be a large neighhboring site. Chance are good you will retain your birds however. Note: If you chose this route you have a choice.... move it before arrival.... or afterwards. I would favor afterwards when the first few arrive. Let them see you do it and coax them over to the new spot Later arrivals will be fine once the first ones accept it.

Now if you want to take all the risk out of the equation and guarantee success you simply add any type of new housing to the new location and let your colony expand to it. The following year if the new housing is occupied move the rack next to it. It will still drive you nuts with them hovering the old location but you will have moved your housing with little or no risk of losing your Martins.

[Leandortree]

ky395,
First off I have never moved martin housing. I agree with Ray Gingerich's Idea, it's a really good one, there is no risk of losing your colony .By plugging some of the entrances you are encouraging some of the birds to seek new housing. Martins will look for nearby housing before moving on .If you have trees a little closer at the new site you could make your poll a little taller, a higher poll helps the martins gain speed when leaving, they like that. Having the Purple Martins close to your home will bring you much joy.
Be SAFE and enjoy your new martin colony

[Tony]

What happened to the author of this post ??? Looks like he posted a question then never checked back.

[tonyg]

Must have took the advice and ran with it....