Too funny!
Living in the country is a blessing! I looked out the window and saw my young 6 point buck who visits my yard. As he wandered the yard the Martins started dive bombing him!! They never made contact but he jumped a few times. I don't know why the Martins felt threatened by a deer. Nature is a wonderful thing!!
Love the gurgles
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~Ray~Gingerich
- Posts: 2122
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
- Location: Delaware/Dover
I watched my martins buzzing a rabbit, with every close flyby the rabbit would jump up in the air, they kept at it until the rabbit was headed far enough in the opposite direction.
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
When I did 3 hot air balloon rides, I learned horses, cows, and lots of animals can't look up so the sound of the burners scare them. Guess the birds have the advantage when it comes to hunting. Love nature!!
Love the gurgles
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Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
Last Friday, these Martins caught my attention as they were also dive bombing. Didn't know what they were after till I saw a little duckling scooting along the grass. I went out and picked him up, definitely a day old hatchling. I provide nest boxes for wood ducks, so it could have been that, but most ducklings look the same to me(this one had black feet.) I searched my yard and the ponds for his lost family without finding them. I couldn't just leave him there, the crows or other predators would have taken him for sure. I took him to work with me, I work on a farm. At the farm my brother said there was a Momma duck and baby's swimming in the pond. I took him over there and sure enough, there they were. I let him go and he eventually joined up with them, his adoptive family. What a lucky duck 
Last edited by Archer on Wed Jul 01, 2015 12:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
They don't seem to care about my dawgs that roam free in the yard. I think they might actually have gotten used to them and see them as protection. Me on the other hand, I get flown over and sqwacked at. Maybe cause I put jumpers back in, and fix the decoys with a long pole.
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.