Our house backs up to farm land and is apparently the perfect place for PMs, as we have 3 nests attached to the underside of our deck and another plastered to the house directly on a bathroom exhaust vent.
We've been waiting for a slow down in activity before we remove the nest that is on the vent, however I think the PMs are now using the "nest" as a "house." The activity is increasing, as there are now dozens of PMs that soar around the back yard whenever we go out back or on the deck.
We don't want to disrupt any nesting, but we're unable to see into the nest to check if there are any babies.
They are mesmerizing to watch, but we need to remove the nest from the vent. Any suggestions?
Nest on house vent
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John & Linda - KY
- Posts: 599
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:19 pm
- Location: Kentucky/Hawesville
sbembers -- I think your birds are barn swallows instead of purple martins. Check their tail when they are flying. A PM has a tail with a very shallow notch. A barn swallow's tail is very deeply notched. PM's are strictly cavity nesters, while barnies make their nests under rafters or in other open but sheltered places. Barnies are great birds also. About the nest on the vent, you will have to let your conscience be your guide. If there's any way you can tolerate it until the eggs hatch and the babies mature, that would be best. If there are no eggs yet, I could understand "discouraging" them. -- John
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CUL Lou~Mich
ALso look for a burnt orange chest on the Barnies. They will also feed close to the ground. They'll fly behind someone mowing the grass, and gobble up bunches of insects that are being stirred up. PMs normally feed quite high up in the air. CUL Lou