It's that difficult time of year again when tornadoes and severe storms threaten property and lives, and that includes our martin systems.
Pay attention to alerts and forecasts. As long as it is still daylight, you can lower martin houses and racks several feet to lessen the impact of wind. Systems on square poles are secure, systems on round poles need to be fastened to keep their orientation, so they don't spin around the pole. Use duct tape, bungee cords, whatever you can manage.
Leave houses down overnight or all day if storms are going to continue - the martins will be okay with it.
If storms come after dark, you cannot lower the systems without flushing the martins out into the dark and storm, so leave them up.
Storms and martin systems - be alert!
-
Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
My PVC tee racks are designed to spin on the pole they are secured onto, and the birds don't seem to mind at all. The gourds are mounted as strong as can be and still swing. So far they have done OK with the winds we get in storms. Hope it stays that way as it is the season...
2014 8 gourds, 3 pairs nested. Ended w/ 24 total
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.
-
Anthony Neira
- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
- Location: San Antonio /Texas
- Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !
Yes! And I have to be a little extra careful since I installed 2 foot extensions on my 14' square poles because mine are so close to my roof line and even though I have the 4 poles up front clamped to 5' poles, I Don't take chances with downdrafts Before a storm hits. Also, I try to plan ahead since mine are lowered my hand with rope, not a good thing to do during rain ! I know SOME Day I Might convert to winches , BUT, there's something nostalgic about lowering & raising them by Rope ! ( just saying 
)
)PMCA Member, 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals + Tunnels, & 2 S&K Bo 11"s WITH Troyer Porches ! 4 MPPs, For 2019 Season !! 
Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.
Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.