I've learned a good lesson during this cold weather we've been having. DON"T LET BB NEST NEAR YOUR PM if you supplement feed. I have an active BB nest w/ 3 young within 100 yards of my PM feeding trays. The male BB chases off any PM that tries to feed here. I placed a second tray flush with meal worms right next the BB house thinking this will satisfy their needs. NO SUCH LUCK.
Once the BB finds free food they will defend it. I have to admit I contemplated doing in the BB for the greater good. Maybe the female could rear the young with the ample supply of worms I provided but I just didn't know. Another solution I tried was to tie a long string from the feeder to our house. I shake it anytime the BB attempts to land on the feeder. Too time intensive. I've tried hazing w/ a gun. He flies off but returns shortly thereafter. I have now relocated the BB house to a movable pole. It is gradually being moved farther and farther from my PM's. So far the parents have accepted the new locations. Hope this works.
Once this BB family fledges the house will be moved far far away.
BB's and supplement feeding don't mix
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bootjack farm
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2016 9:30 am
- Location: Russell, Pa
- Martin Colony History: 9 years of trying hard...finally in 2017 I had 3 pair w/ 11 babies. T-14 +4 w/ 4 Troyer horiz. gourds. Troyer Super System 24. Fast forward to 2020... 64 fledged.
Northwest PA
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Seems most in the area here have a similar problem with Robins protecting the feeder. I have two that are a PIA at the bed and breakfast. They especially don't let the bluebirds near the feeder. Seems eventually everyone gets what they need to eat however. It's impossible to keep a hundred hungry Martins away. I just have to feed birds other than Martins as well.
That's a pretty nasty BB
Doug.
That's a pretty nasty BB
Doug.
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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Jones4381
- Posts: 830
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:54 pm
- Location: Southwestern VA
- Martin Colony History: 2020- 0
2021- 1 pair-5
2022- 5 pair-20
2023 34 pair-44
2024 30 pair-122
2025 54 Pair -178
Hat's off to all of you that supplemental feed. Applause all around! I'd hate to see anyone intentionally harm a blue bird...they'll always be my favorites (nothing better than their mating rituals and wing flaps in early spring). I applaud your decision and efforts in relocation instead of harm.
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu
Not sure it will work with BBs but last year I had a boat load of hummingbirds that would protect their food source. I did a little internet research, and the remedy was to install a few feeders out of sight of one another. I wound up with 4 feeders and although they still wanted to protect their food, it made it impossible for them to cover all bases. Their attempts never went away completely but subsided to a very large degree. They initially went crazy trying to guard them all but after a few hours they finally waved the white flag.
2019- 6 Pair, 30 Fledged
2020- 8 Pair, 32 Fledged
2021- 10 Pair, 39 Fledged
HOSP count 130, Starlings 2
2022- 31 Pair, 146 Fledged
HOSP count to date 17, Starlings 1
2023- 28 Pair, 124 Fledged
HOSP count 47, Starlings 1
2024- 40 Pair, 192 Fledged
HOSP count 37
2025-42 Pair, 202 Fledged
HOSP count 46
2020- 8 Pair, 32 Fledged
2021- 10 Pair, 39 Fledged
HOSP count 130, Starlings 2
2022- 31 Pair, 146 Fledged
HOSP count to date 17, Starlings 1
2023- 28 Pair, 124 Fledged
HOSP count 47, Starlings 1
2024- 40 Pair, 192 Fledged
HOSP count 37
2025-42 Pair, 202 Fledged
HOSP count 46
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bootjack farm
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2016 9:30 am
- Location: Russell, Pa
- Martin Colony History: 9 years of trying hard...finally in 2017 I had 3 pair w/ 11 babies. T-14 +4 w/ 4 Troyer horiz. gourds. Troyer Super System 24. Fast forward to 2020... 64 fledged.
FYI, the house has mysteriously moved about 125' farther out. I've done the moving in small increments and made sure they were accepting until the next move. The feeder has moved right along with them.
The BB's young are doing fine. The weather is changing for the good. So no need to supplement feed either.
The BB's young are doing fine. The weather is changing for the good. So no need to supplement feed either.
Northwest PA
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Martintown33
- Posts: 1366
- Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
- Location: Laplace,La
- Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack
I have the same problem, but with mockingbirds. I don’t need to supplement feed often, being in the gulf south, but when I do, the mockingbirds find out quickly, and start guarding the trays…
Very frustrating,
Rob
Very frustrating,
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
Laplace, La
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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 2442
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
- Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
- Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged
Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged
..Martintown33 wrote: ↑Sat May 06, 2023 7:32 pmI have the same problem, but with mockingbirds. I don’t need to supplement feed often, being in the gulf south, but when I do, the mockingbirds find out quickly, and start guarding the trays…
Very frustrating,
Rob
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Martintown33 .... I have the same trouble with the Mockingbirds taking over my Baltimore Oriels feeder,, it’s a constant battle with them...
Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio