Hawk Problem-Help

jmeyer · Fri Apr 26, 2013 11:00 am

I have been seeing a sharp shinned hawk perching on top of my martin houses at least every other day-which leads me to believe he is there a lot more that I don't see. I had been seeing about 30 martins back this year when the hawk started showing up. Now I only see a few circling really high over the houses. This early in the season, I am afraid they will all leave to find safer housing. I have owl guards on my houses (T-14's with gourds hung under them). Any other suggestions to help save my colony. I am not home during the day as I work. Has anyone had an entire colony leave due to hawks?

klcretired · Fri Apr 26, 2013 1:37 pm

Hi,
we have all experienced hawk attacks at one time or another it is a continuing Problem that we have to go through , by not being there to protect your martins I strongly suggest you mount atop your colony(Housing & Gourd Rack) a lot of Martin Decoys They Help and usually the hawk will attack the decoys giving your Martins aChance to Bolt to Freedom, I have several Decoys atop my Pm Housing and atop My Gourd Rack, i will see if i can get on Photobucket and post for you how i mounted the decoys...hope this helps you

klcretired · Fri Apr 26, 2013 1:41 pm

This is a Decoy Hit by a Hawk

jmeyer · Fri Apr 26, 2013 2:34 pm

Thanks. I think I have some decoys somewhere too. I look for them and try to get them up tomorrow. Do they need to be moved from time to time or can they just be mounted and left in place?

klcretired · Fri Apr 26, 2013 3:14 pm

I just place mine and forget them.....only when i need to replace or straighten them up do i rearrange them

jmeyer · Sat Apr 27, 2013 7:58 am

I put up two decoys last night and I can't tell for sure since it is raining but it looks like one may have been hit already. I was also relieved yesterday as I lowered the house to find around thirty birds came to investigate what I was doing; so they haven't left! Thanks for your help.

JL Murray · Sat Apr 27, 2013 8:54 am

I mounted my decoy's with Stainless L Bracket's, they can turn around but do not tip over.

daveh · Sat Apr 27, 2013 9:13 am

I use 10ft sticks of pvc pipe and attach decoys to the top with pipe strap. I have 3-4 pipe inserts in the ground and a chain link fence to move pipe and decoys around every few days. Even turning the decoys to a different direction I think helps. They sway in the wind which helps draw the hawks to them. I like the pipe because I can move them around on the ground and not disturb the birds. The hawks usually go after the slowest birds which are the decoys. Fun to watch when they hit the plastic. They look embarrased or totally lost .

dave