Lost two eggs because of telescoping pole and bad judgement

[hardyfarm]

I've got a frustrating and sad story to tell. Yesterday afternoon, I lost two eggs from my second pair of martins because I 'over telescoped' the top quarter of the darn pole and it CAME OUT dumping all but one of the eggs out of the nest. One of them didn't break but I don't know if it will survive the fall...I feel like such an idiot. I've been so careful but not careful enough. It is embarrassing to tell but I hope it will prevent another newbie landlord from making the same mistake. It's actually a God worked miracle I didn't lose all the eggs and toss the babies from the first martin pair. Never, ever buy a telescoping pole for your housing. Never.

[John Miller]

Something similar happened when I was about 10..can still see those broken eggs. I think the pair re-laid, and yours may do the same, or just incubate remaining eggs.

Paint some "stop" guide lines on the pole.

John M

[DornCounty]

I came close to doing the same thing one time, then decided to use a sharpie to mark the limit I wanted each section to travel.

PS - don't sweat it too much either. You are going to do alot more good for the martins over the years.

[Louise Chambers]

That's too bad, but as John said. they may lay new eggs. And if you mark the pole for both height/sections and alignment (so cavity orientation will stay the same) you won't have that problem again.

Telescoping poles are what lots of folks start with because they are less expensive - I can't fault anyone for not wanting to spend too much if they are not sure they will get martins to nest. Pole systems with a rope & pulley or winch are easier and safer to use, but they can have problems too. When you upgrade, you can get something better. Let us know how things go -

[Glynn B - LA]

Sorry for your loss. Don't be to down on your self, everyone makes mistakes. I'm sure with more experience you will be a great landlord. Also, your posting has given others a leap forward.


Glynn

[Matt F.]

That's gracious of you to post what happened Hardyfarm.
It definitely serves as a great "public service announcement", for those using telescoping poles.
That's very frustrating that there are telescoping poles produced, without some type of safety stop, to keep this from happening.
Since the 60s, all of Trios telescoping poles are flared at the bottom of each section, so it's impossible to raise the sections too high, and have them become separated.
Something like that should be standard on all telescoping poles.

[Laverne]

It's not just the telescoping pole that can cause this type of failure. I have winches with ropes or steel cables. One year a rope broke. Another time the connector for the cable slowly worked loose. Both times the entire rack came crashing down. Gourd rack arms were broken. Plastic gourds were bounced around. Interior contents were tossed and turned upside down. Many eggs were broken. Many young died. Even adult birds were trapped inside. We made quick repairs, saved the ones we found still alive, removed broken eggs, rehung the gourds, and the parent birds resumed their duties.

Check your ropes for signs of wear. Check your cables and connectors to make sure they are tight and watch for rust. Replace anything that looks questionable.

[hardyfarm]

Marking the pole sections is a great idea. We had marked stops on each section but the third part had slid over the second and I didn't realize it until it was too late. Too, like Louise said, the reason I bought it was that it was cheaper. I didn't know any better but it's part of how I got my first pair of martins. So, it's not all bad. Thanks to you all for your comments. I am very grateful for this forum and the support you have given. It helps the hurt a lot.

[DebA]

I had the same thing happen last Friday evening. I didn't realize I'd broken a plastic clip so when I was zinging it back up on autopilot, it came out in my hand. I had just seen it and had just enough of an edge to be able to steady things and keep my house upright. I was lucky and couldn't believe it myself it didn't fall over. My heart leaped to my throat too. I will be upgrading as soon as I can, hopefully sometime in this off season. It's good to know what to watch for, Laverne, with the wench type of system. Thanks for sharing and it has happened to many I suspect.
Sorry you lost some eggs.
Deb

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Telescoping poles are best used as perches. I think that most people started out with them and most have switched to winches or ropes. If you want to get more enjoyment out of the martin hobby, then get rid of the telescoping poles as soon as you can afford to do so.

[hardyfarm]

Laverne, that is a terrible story, one I can't hardly bear to think of. I'm glad you've recovered and then some! Oh Deb! Sounds too similar to my story for sure. We pushed the plastic things down into the pole and replaced them with bolts. I think they're 3/8x3 or 4 inches. It was suggested on this forum and works very well. Emil, I have my upgrade in the barn. I hope to have it in place soon.

[hardyfarm]

....

[~Ray~Gingerich]

I have one telescoping pole, in addition to marking the pole I drilled a 1/4 hole through the bottom pole for a 1/4 bolt at the point I want the top section to stop, then I notched the bottom of the the top section pole so it slides down over the bolt. When I raise the pole I know about where to stop by the marks on the pole then I slip in the 1/4 inch bolt. That gives me extra protection from the house turning or sliding down if the thumb bolt loosens up.

[johnnycoon]

my housing is maybe 10 ft off the ground.i have a super open spot and i get a lot of wind.two days ago i had 70+ mph winds! I JUST KEEP MY HOUSE PERPETUALLY LOWERED. i dont touch the telescoping pole.im a believer in a ladder.its not as convenient but hey!!.....ill go the extra mile for my birds!! i dont trust the weatherman.storms out here come out of nowhere!!

[wbmiller3]

I have one telescoping pole. The chance of this happening has always worried me too.

Every year I paint the junctions of the poles up and down several inches with green paint so I know when I am getting close to the joint. The paint on the lower joint usually wears off and I have to re-mark with a sharpie.

I put up a Quad Pod with a cable lift and my idea was to take the old house down once the birds discovered this new superior house. However, they still prefer the old one, with 3 of my 5 families living in it. So I am stuck with the telescoping pole for the foreseeable future.

[Gary W]

The new BirdsChoice Ultimate pole has push button section release, and the sections will not separate. It is a very sturdy pole, and light weight for easy handling also. I think it is the best telescoping pole on the market! PMCA catalogue has it listed on page 40.

Gary

[pmcharter1]

i feel your pain, i have 2- 12 room trio houses on a rope system, one rope went bad and i repaired it,the pullys bad so if you lower it , or raise it, the rope slips off the pulley,, just need to go slow! a piece in the pully cracked off so if you lower it to fast, it slips off causing it to bind up. i taped the rope tight with electrical tape, so it rides over my pulley till i replace it. my other one works great, i just lower it, raise it , has a built in stop so when its at the top, its done.
now , my neighbor has the (push button pole) where u raise and lower it by pushing buttons in, ---to much work, first, if u miss one the house comes crashing down., second , it took me and him, to do it, one to hold the house up , while hes pushing buttons, then it works in like 4 stages, where you have to push the tab in to lower it, guess what, the third one wouldnt work, rusted i donnt know. what i do know as a landloard, you have to lower and raise that house on a dime!to do nests cks ect, you dont have time wasting, on lowering the house. the house itself may be great--- but the mechanics of it may kill you,.mine. i just untie it from the hooke on the bottom. it lowers, and i raise it, tie it off on the hooks its done.wish you well keep me posted.

[hardyfarm]

So many good suggestions and stories. The pain of losing the two eggs and the scare of it all has faded somewhat but not my determination to upgrade. Thanks for every one the comments. And, Good News...I caught the two sparrows building and laying eggs! Finally.