Anyone ever have problems with fireworks?

[ron20m]

I have a 2 1/2 acre lot and neighbor setting off fireworks. Seems really loud. Anyone ever have premature fledging due to fireworks?

[Matt F.]

You should be okay Ron.
Here's a post from a recent thread on the same topic.
It's from Louise, in reference to fireworks causing problem with Martins in the vicinity.
Click on the link, and read the observations from the 7/4/01 report:

It should not be a problem - PMCA's site on Edinboro Lake was scene of annual community fireworks (well not right under the houses but close by ) and it did not bother the birds as far as we knew.

Then we added a nest cam - here are notes from 4th of July nest cam observations: http://www.purplemartin.org/main/gourdcam_july2001.html

[razman]

you'll be fine....you are lucky to have such a big lot and buffer zone! i live in a residential area, fireworks ALL AROUND and CLOSE! last two years, my martins were close to fledging age, and no probs at all....fortunately this year, the babies have already fledged! (so i don't have to sit here all evening and cringe and every explosion!) LOL

[AvianStewardess]

While I haven't seen myself that they may not mind fireworks at night, after they are in their compartments, but, late afternoon yesterday, I had over a dozen nervous fledglings and their parents take flight every time the neighbor across the creek shot off a shotgun. They were having a party and were doing clay shooting. Birds definitely did not like it.

[Michael Sanford ~ OK]

My neighborhood goes up like a Roman candle, Ron. Never a problem.

[Bill Pec]

I believe the answer to your question must take in consideration the distance between the colony and the fireworks display. In our neighborhood it is a tradition for our neighbors to put on firework displays and to see who can put on the best show. Last year a neighbor set off a rather loud, extensive, fireworks display that lasted for about a half hour and only 70 yards away from our PM colony. Since we were seated close to the martin colony we observed at least eight martins, silhouetted by the flashes, flush from their nests and fly off into the darkness. In the morning all the martins were back and life continued on as if nothing had happed at the colony. Fortunately, the birds flushed from their nests on a very warm evening so no young chicks were lost. This year I was not concerned with birds flushing from the nests because all the remaining chicks were older than last year's group and the closest fireworks display was over 200 yards away. We observed no martins flush from their nests this year.

Bill

[Dave Duit]

I have never had trouble with the fireworks noise and martins. I believe that the sudden loud sound in fireworks is similar to hard thunder. Since thunder doesn't scare them off, fireworks shouldn't.