Martins are gone (and I can't figure this out)

[ElizWitte]

So, I have had my colony since 2003. Each year the martins show up and each year I have 24 Troyer gourds with martins and fledglings. Yes, some years are hot, some rainy, etc. but year after year, I have martins. In February the martins starting showing up. I put up 6 gourds, waited till more showed up, added another 6 and so on until had all 24 gourds up. As most know, we have had a lot of rain this spring. Suddenly, there are no martins. Have been pulling the rack down and it looks like they were making nests but no martins. I had one pair last week but now they are gone. I put cedar shavings in my gourds and the ones that were wet from the rain, I replaced the bedding. I don't have sparrows or starlings. In years past, I have found 3-5 dead adult male martins in gourds from starlings (and I have SREH but there are shorty legged startlings that can get in but I take care of them). I have no dead martins this season. No martin parts on the ground. Nothing. I have bird netting at the bottom of the pole and have caught many rat snakes over the years in the netting. Also, none of my neighbors (that have been trying to get martins for years) have any so my colony didn't move over to them. I would think if raccoons were going up, I would see parts of martins. I have no idea where my colony went and I am so very sad about this whole thing. By now, I should have martins flying all over. Another thing, even though I have martins in the gourds, I also have them roosting in the trees around my home (we live in an acreage community). The last time I heard them in the early morning hours in the trees was about 2 weeks ago. I would appreciate any of your thoughts on this. Thank you.

[1BirdmanEye]

Sounds familiar,I have been an active landlord since 1995,started with 8 gourds on a pole,few years later added another pole with 8 gourds,never had 100 percent full,which is normal here,but pretty close,so all seemed good until last year I started noticing a frequent visitor,and martins disappearing,cooper hawk,keep you eyes out for that bird,this year I only have 3 asy male,1asy female,waiting for some subbies to return,hopefully build my colony back,I'm crossing my fingers for you,because I know what your feeling.

[Kyler]

ElizWitte,

Same exact thing happened to a good friend which is also a landlord. She has had martins every single year for so long I cant remember how long ago. She called me about two weeks ago and said everyone is gone!!!! So, I went over there and I mean not a martin in the sky anywhere. About a week later a few martins came back and now are staying again. But it is not the 15-20 like normal just maybe 3-4. We figured out what happen. The same day the martins left their was two cooper hawks flying like a foot away from the houses. They kept doing it for awhile. So, I guess that is what did it!!!!! I really hope they return for you!! GOOD LUCK and keep us posted!!

Kyler,

[ElizWitte]

Thanks very much for the advice. Really hawks are the only thing that makes sense. There have also been a ton of crows around and I don't know if they have anything to do with this. Thanks again.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Either a snake, or Coopers hawks. The Coopers are so small and fast, they can catch a martin anytime. I saw one catch several martins at our place this year. Sounds like its probably a Coopers hawk since some martins came back to their housing after being gone a while.

Our martins are busy feeding babies, some are still nest building, but we have the normal amount. I removed 2 trees that were near the housing, that helped with the Coopers hawks, the martins can see them quicker.

[stevepk]

My Dad had Martins since the '50s. Two years ago we replaced the rotten wood house with store bought. Last year they came back but never nested. This year they have a nice new cedar house but no takers.

Moral of the story. You can't figure them out.

[MichaelH]

Oh my so sorry for you ,got to be very upsetting after havin a colony for years ,does sound like a predator of some sort,I feel for you ,hope you can get birds to stay again
Mick