Help with Owl Deterrents

[blinkers]

Hi everyone,

I could use some advice about protecting my purple martins from nearby owls. I have an S&K two-story martin house with crescent-style doors that has been successful in past years, but this season has been a bit tricky.

Context:

• There's an occupied eastern screech owl box about 40-50 feet away, with active owlets.

• Before this season, I modified the martin house by:
  • Opening up some of the inside walls to deepen the cavities to give the martins more nesting space.
  • Adding pine straw to the compartments, which I hadn't done in previous years.

• To deter owls, I tried makeshift guards using wooden dowels vertically between the house stories, but the martins seemed put off and hesitant to nest. I removed the dowels when it appeared they weren't staying, hoping to keep it inviting.

Now, a pair of martins started nesting a few days ago (yay!), but their activity seems sporadic. They got quite a few leaves in but haven't progressed much since, and I suspect the proximity of the owl family might be why.

My Dilemma:
I'd like to add an owl cage for safety, but I'm unsure how to do it for this specific house without deterring the martins.

• Has anyone added mesh around a similar house or have examples? How would I attach it effectively while keeping the house accessible for nest checks?

• Would the martins get used to the cage if I install it now?

• Are balcony dividers helpful, or would they discourage nesting like the dowels seemed to?

• Any other options to consider?

Removing the owls isn't an option, but I want to give my martins the best chance to thrive.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or ideas!

[Bird Brain]

Screech owls don't bother martins. Screech owls are a perch and pounce type of predator. There is easier prey for the screech elsewhere on the ground.

[RC Moser]

IF. your having attacks at night most likely barred owls? IMO the only nest cavity that will protect against hawks and owls are L shaped completely hiding nest chamber. I specially designed and modified t14 stye Troyer housing to prevent owl and hawks from picking martins out and off housing. Hear picture of my final modifications when I had 80 plus pairs colony.

[blinkers]

Screech owls don't bother martins. Screech owls are a perch and pounce type of predator. There is easier prey for the screech elsewhere on the ground.

That's good to know! I had seen the screech owls catch a Cedar Waxwing recently, which made me worry about the Martins.

I'm happy to report that the pair who were nesting earlier now have five eggs (likely due to hatch any day now)! They've been surprisingly quiet—which is unusual for Martins—but there also seem to be fewer of them around this year. This is the first time I've only had one pair nesting, but that could possibly still be due to my earlier owl guard "setup" discouraging others.

Since they chose an inside compartment for their eggs, I'm slightly less concerned for now—at least until the chicks start getting more active.

[Martintown33]

Nice design RC! Just curious.. how do your martins get to the entrances with the hardware cloth placed as it is? From the side? Are they able to zip in that way? Nice work!
Rob

[Dave Duit]

RC Moser. Super design as the martins can exit to the left or right. As for ideas for an owl guard, I suggest googling online for a variety of ideas. If you go with the fencing style owl guards, please make sure the opening mesh size is 4 X 4 inch. Don't use the 2 x 4 inch.