IDEAS ABOUT HOUSE HEIGHT
I'd like input from you guys about height to the bottom of your houses. I'm thinking of lowering mine to 7 or 7 1/2 feet so I can access them using a step ladder. They are presently about 9 feet high and being on a stationary pole difficult to clean out any sparrow nests.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.----Larry in western Kentucky Feb 29, 2016 and no scouts yet.
It might be okay if your site is absolutely open. Martins will nest in low housing, and have even been reported nesting in holes on the ground under boulders. But with low housing if there are trees around, or buildings, they won't be able to see and escape hawks. Observe a martin fly out from its house and you will notice it often drops down a bit to gain speed.
Thanks John, and yes my houses are in opening away from any close trees or buildings. As I age, I am more reluctant in climbing very high on a ladder to clean out a room. Would love to have pulley system, but can't really afford them, since I have Musselman houses in good shape. I really don't think lowering my houses will affect my population, at least I hope not. My only other concern about my houses is the possibility of wing entrapment with the excluder doors I installed last Spring (2015), but got through the season without any incidents. I also reworked my two houses by enlarging the rooms to 6 x 12.
If there are no power lines adjacent, a high perch..maybe just something simple...also would benefit the martins with lower housing by providing a lookout perch, or just a place to hang out. Old antennas work great if you can find one.
Feb 29, 2016 and no scouts yet.