My Small Colony

GeneP · Sun Jul 05, 2015 10:58 am

Trees and Trees. Still my best season, seven pair and two nest to go. In two weeks it will get quiet around here.

Jackel350 · Sun Jul 05, 2015 1:23 pm

Looks almost like a hawk coming in behind the PMs on the wire. How long have you been trying to get them to start nesting at your place? This is my third year and they are in and out of here all the time but no luck getting them to stay. Looks like you're well on the way getting a good colony going inspite of the trees ! Enjoy and good luck with your PMs
Jack

Matt F. · Sun Jul 05, 2015 2:26 pm

Great looking setup Gene!
Your site looks a lot like mine, in reference to the trees.

GeneP · Sun Jul 05, 2015 3:53 pm

Hi Jack, I believe that's a Mourning Dove coming in. I did see the feathers of 2 doves and the carcass of another in my yard earlier this spring. My colony hasn't been hit by the hawks but they are here. This is my 8th year of hosting martins, it took 4 years to get my first pair.

Matt: Thanks, would like to see a photo of your site. I was able to get martins in spite of the trees, but I'm nuts. The trees are encroaching on the gourd rack so I'm just enjoying the martins while I have them. I also trap, trap, trap.

tonyg · Mon Jul 06, 2015 2:21 am

Can't tell if that tree is on your property or not, but couldn't you hire a tree trimmer and have those limbs cut way back..with them touching those power lines I'd figure West Star would have that tree trimming comany they use cut those branches away from the lines ...you have them, now don't lose them !!!

GeneP · Mon Jul 06, 2015 8:17 am

The trees are in the neighbors yard and they like the tree. Westar comes through on a 5 year rotation. The branches are more in the cable and phone lines than the power line. Might be a couple of years before they return. If they return.

The little cedar get trimmed once the martins leave. I take about 18 inches off it and it's still small when the martins arrive. I keep it because it comes from my folks. Cardinals nest in it in spring.

My neighbor plans to trim the row of Rose of Sharon next spring. That would be helpful. She took out a huge tree in her backyard. I overheard them teaching their grandson about the Purple Martins. I was impressed since I haven't discussed anything about them. I get nervous about how loud the martins can get in a suburban neighborhood.

Matt F. · Tue Jul 07, 2015 11:52 am

GeneP wrote: Matt: Thanks, would like to see a photo of your site. I was able to get martins in spite of the trees, but I'm nuts. The trees are encroaching on the gourd rack so I'm just enjoying the martins while I have them. I also trap, trap, trap.

I'm going to try to get some decent snaps of my site this weekend.
I'll definitely post them.

Dan R · Mon Jul 13, 2015 10:19 am

Congrats Gene and continued success in the future.
PS - I noticed the SD-1 trap box on your rack, great idea.
Dan

DornCounty · Mon Jul 13, 2015 1:13 pm

great job Gene.. barring anything from attacking the houses when martins are present I don't see any issues with you continuing to grow.

Rock chalk!!

GeneP · Mon Jul 13, 2015 4:46 pm

Thanks Dan, I always watch for your scout report. I usually follow you by a week. I bought the spar-o-door and built a box around it. Catches a fair amount of HOSP's. The birdhouse in the picture is a Troyer Starling Trap. I put it up this year using a tri-tel pole. Makes it easy to raise and lower.

Thanks Andrew, this was the first year I was concerned about hawks. Seems I'm seeing more of them around.