Martin Houses Over Water

[Penny Briscoe]

On Barton Lake in southwest Michigan, many of us have our martin poles actually in the water and have been successful landlords for years in this way. Many of us do not have enough swooping space in our yards and do not want the housing on the dock due to the potential mess of bird droppings, noise, some of our guests are afraid of the birds, space considerations, etc. As a result I have always been fearful that babies might land in the water if they fall from their housing, and, thus, drown. (I once rescued a baby from the water and it was a sad event despite the fact that it survived--it was only luck that I happened to be at the water's edge to see it). Last year I finally devised a system to help protect fallen babies. We call them baby catchers, and they are wood frames with screening attached, which were constructed large enough to cover the area under the housing. They were installed by wiring them to the houses, once the babies are about a week and a half from fledging. The device is still in the fine-tuning stages, but I think it has been successful, even though we observed and/or rescued no babies last summer. These devices also help me monitor other fallen objects, such as insects, and, potentially, evidence of bird attacks. The devices have not hindered the birds in any way and don't seem to cause any other problems, other than making nest checks a little more difficult in the later stages of the cycle. It's already a bit difficult because I have to wade into the water, in waders when it's cold, in order to do my nest checks. This year I am installing predator guards on the poles (and hawk/owl guards on houses and gourds due to more frequent sightings of owls and hawks). Even though it is unlikely we would have a racoon, snake or other attack with the birds living above the water (no other landlords on the lake have seen evidence of a problem), I haven't ruled this out. Some may think this effort is unwieldy and even less successful than I could be on land, but it is much, much better than the alternative, which is no martins at all, due to space on land. I have had an active martin colony for 26 years as have some of my neighbors. However, it has only been in the last two years, since a weather-related die-off, that I have begun to be a true, involved and educated landlord. I can't imagine a summer without the martins. I am always looking for input, feedback, etc., on what others may think would work even better.

[Sue P]

That is a very unique way of protecting the babies. I can see, however, that you have an interesting time doing nest checks. I find myself checking nests two or three times a week, which is probably too many times. If I had to wade in cold water to do it, I'd probably have that habit curbed a bit

Sue P

[John Miller]

So glad that there are thriving martin colonies in Michigan. I understand that most are located over or near water, where a declining martin population may have retreated -- sites they like best.

Your catcher system is very clever and if it helps, I'd keep it.

I'd consider moving some housing to the dock where you can conduct regular nest checks -- and put up a sign that your dock is a martin sanctuary! Then folks who think they hate birds -- they're really just unenlighted people (grin) -- could just keep off.

The PMCA is all about nest checks. You can 't treat for mites or other problems as is, which could greatly improve fledge rates. That said, I'm not against housing over water. It does have the advantage of reducing predation. Further, when babies jump prematurely, most all are doomed on the ground anyway except in colonies where the landlord rescues them. Martins should fly strongly when they fledge.

Consider modifying some Trio housing to deeper compartments. This should reduce fall outs. Now..nothing's easy. You probably would then need to use SREH crescents or starlings would move in because they prefer deeper units, and you'd have modest risk of wing entrapment in the aluminum crescents, but if you search some of my posts, you'll see ideas to add wing guards -- the PMCA sells something too that would help.

I also would consider insulating the aluminum housing with styrofoam or cork. This should help martins in your climate when they need to hole up in the cavities for a few days during cold spells in spring.

Relax...gonna sign off for remainder of the day (grin).

Great photo. Keep up your good work... John M

[M.Stephens]

Looks like an awesome predator guard and nest fallout combo! If it didn't have any way for a snake to slip thru the pole and screen it seems it would stop any ground critters too!:idea: It may not look too good in someone's backyard though.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

That guard may be helpful over land, need to think about that a bit...

[terrapincove]

maintaining martin housing over water is beneficial to their propagation

here is a video of two fledglings leaving the nest over water......with the parents encouragement and without life vests

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH7quOgn3ms