help the newbie in missouri

[hopeathome]

My marin house is above the garage and was an established house when I moved here. The house is such that it can not be lowered for nest inspections. I can however climb on the garage and reach a few of the nesting holes. But the house is built so you have to drop the bottom out of each nest to check it. This is my second summer as landlord and last year did not have, or at least notice, any problems. This summer I have about 12 nesting pairs and already have some young adults. All that being said, this year I have been plagued with squirrels, sparrows and now starlings! This morning was the last straw, I found 9 Pm eggs tossed out and broken on top of the garage What should I do... Buy and start a new house, one that I can check regularly, buy a trap for the invading birds, install a pole system on this house so it can be lowered? Please help, I have been a birder for years but am new to the Martins and love them dearly. Thanks, Hope

[Mary Dawnsong]

Hi Hope,

Welcome to the forum!
It is wonderful to read that you care about the martin colony you "inherited". Unfortunately, the prior owners made some bad decisions about martin housing.

Martin housing placed on top of a garage roof just doesn't work because it doesn't have protection from ground predators: squirrels, cats, and raccoons. And, of course, it is just impossible or dangerous to manage. If white martin eggs were tossed out, it is very likely that non-native European Starlings have taken over your martin nests.

Martins will not return next season if their nests are attacked by predators this season. Please read this chain about an established colony of five martin houses that was destroyed because a raccoon climbed the pole:
http://purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2863

If you truly want to continue as a martin landlord, then I recommend removing the unmanagable martin house from the garage and throwing it in the trash at the end of this season. If unmanaged, it will fill up with non-native House Sparrow and Starlings and have a very negative effect on native birds in your neighborhood. It's got to go -or- the holes must be plugged!

You are going to have to buy or make a new, managable martin house with larger compartments and possibly Starling Resistant Entry Holes (SREH). Gourds would also be an excellent choice. We recommend a mix of house plus gourds for starting new colonies. You are going to have to mount martin housing on a pole that allows you to lower it. That pole needs to have an effective predator guard.

I doubt there is much you can do to improve the situation this season. If you are able to erect quality martin housing immediately, it is possible that some of the displaced martin pairs might move to it rather than abandon you altogether. However, it might be best to simply start making plans for next season. Please ask for help in selecting new martin housing - there are many quality choices.

My best, Mary

[hopeathome]

Thanks for the reply, it has been all I can do this morning to keep from worrying about them. I think I will attempt to put up a new house this year and be sure to get the right kind.
HOPE