Osprey and Martins

[Mitch Booth]

Hello Everyone,

I know Osprey eat only fish but I have them visiting nightly. Will Martins vacate a site based on their presence? I know red-tailed hawks typically don't bother them but wasn't sure about Osprey.

Thanks,

Mitch

[Matt F.]

No worries Mitch.
The Martins definitely know that the Osprey is not after them.
One Texas Gulf coast landlord Astrid (hope she is doing well - haven't heard from her in a while), had a resident Osprey at her site.
The Martins and the Osprey got along great.
The Osprey may even be helpful in keeping away other raptors, that happen to find small birds tasty.

[EDIT] I just found an older post from Astrid, about her resident Osprey which she named "Gabrielle".....

This afternoon I came home early from work when I saw either "our" Sharpie or a Cooper's hawk on the roof of my neighbor. I could not identify the tail real good, because it was pretty windy and the tail was kind of fluttering in the air. The seagulls immediately started buzzing and attacking the hawk, but he could not care less....

Then our Osprey girl "Gabrielle" showed up, and sat on the Purple Martin Roosting Perch, that's where she sleeps at night, for a while. It seemed like she and the other hawk were staring at each other. We took some pictures through the window of both of them; we wanted to see what was going to happen. After a good five minutes "Gabrielle" had enough, and took off right over to the hawk and chased him off the roof. She then followed him over the canal, buzzing him until he was gone. Then she returned and used our neighbor's flagpole as her "fot" to make sure the hawk would not come back. I guess we officially have a "Watch-Osprey" looking out for our birds in the yard. She also took great care of the 274 migrating Purple Martins we had in our yard on the Easter weekend. I will also post a photo of that day. She is so cool!!!!

#1 the Sharpie/cooper (?) arrives
#2 the Osprey arrives
#3 the Osprey starts to approach the hawk and the hawk looks at her
#4 "Gabrielle" chasing the hawk
#5 "Gabrielle" coming back sitting on the neighbor's flagpole to make to make sure the hawk does not come back...she usually does not go to the neighbor's yard
#6 "Gabrielle" protecting all of the migrating martins on the Easter weekend this year....she is the BEST

Astrid

[terrapincove]

Osprey and martins coexist nicely and pose no threat to each other.

Our Martin housing and osprey nest are within 50 feet of each other without incident.

One problem is that both starlings and sparrows nest inside the osprey nest. That makes for a safe place that cannot be targeted.

I have not noticed the Osprey chasing or fighting with hawks. We do have hawk predation. An Osprey is not really able to catch hawk but can catch a lot of fish. I've seen bass, catfish, menhaden, perch, eels and a blowfish brought in to feed the young.

Enjoy your visiting osprey without worry.

Hugh

[terrapincove]

A purple martin fledge lands on the back of an osprey fledge

https://youtu.be/QV-CTGEYIDo

http://terrapincove.org/Images/ospreygourd.jpg

[Winger]

Our Osprey (numerous) have never been a deteraant to the Martins. This year just across our cove...50< yards., we have an Eagles nest. They have ignored the Martins.

We have a "lovely" family of "crows" that announce hawks. They are not concerned about Osprey or Eagles! We love our crows! THEY HATE HAWKS! And the Crows will make sure you know that the Hawks are in the area!

I need a tee shirt that states: "I Love Purple Martins...but a crow is my best friend!""

Best to all..Tammy

[terrapincove]

This crow likes tree swallow eggs.

http://youtu.be/6mETwCBondA