I remember reading a forum topic concerning the changing of housing mid-season and it's possible repercussions. I recently found myself facing this issue and thought I'd share my results (so far anyway)... On Friday, 5/8 our site was hit by a tornado here in SW Missouri. Although it was only an F-0 it still packed winds of 80-95 mph which were enough to do some damage to both our house and those of our birds. All housing (3 16 hole houses and a 12 gourd rack) was on the ground as the poles, which were lowered, were bent over at ground level. Two roofs were missing along with some interior walls and a gourd as well. 3 birds were trapped. I also was trapped 60 miles away behind a flash flooded low water bridge and could only listen as my wife described the devastation of shingles and limbs and cows flying past the window (OK, no cows). Anyway, she freed the birds and no one was hurt. It could have been worse.... Long story short, she patched up two houses and replaced an unrepairable house with an old unit missing its 1st floor walls and got them up as to give the birds someplace to spend the night. The next day I reinforced them as best as possible noting most nests were gone. I had counted 6 full nests and maybe 10 underway before the storm. I also replaced the temporary house with a more complete unit. So those birds are in their 3rd house on that pole in the last week! Now, 8 days later all seems to be normal. I've decided to just leave the houses at "half-mast" as they really don't seem to mind. Today I counted 12 full nests and 8 more under construction. We had hoped to improve over the 14 nests we had last year and, unbelievably it appears we may! Bottom line, these hardy birds have withstood some great tests this year and it appears that switching housing midstream has not been as devastating as I had feared... Hope everyone's year is going well...
The martins are very adaptable. Sounds like you did a great job of replacing and repairing the housing. I bet the martins appreciate your help. Sorry to hear about all the damage that you people suffered. We got nearly an inch of much needed rain, but we are missing all the severe weather and rain.
That's an amazing story. You guys are really dedicated to your Martins. We had some tough weather here in central IL on Friday too. I had hail and tons of rain, fortunately no tornado.
I am a new landlord. Been trying for years and finally have two breeding pair. I am using a house that was given as a gift and really did not check out the dimensions but believe the compartments could be a bit larger. I was advised to use the same house next year to help ensure that the birds will return to the site. My plan was to build a new house very similar to the one that is there but increase the dimensions if necessary and maybe add another floor. It is currently only one floor with 4 compartments. however, I would like to install a pole with gourds. I live in a cul de sac and have removed the basketball goal in our driveway and mounted a telescoping pole on it. I am wondering if I could modify the goal post to accommodate a telescoping gourd pole or if I need to replace the goal post goal altogether. And, if I do that, should I mount the old house on top of the gourd unit.
Although it was only an F-0 it still packed winds of 80-95 mph which were enough to do some damage to both our house and those of our birds. All housing (3 16 hole houses and a 12 gourd rack) was on the ground as the poles, which were lowered, were bent over at ground level. Two roofs were missing along with some interior walls and a gourd as well. 3 birds were trapped. I also was trapped 60 miles away behind a flash flooded low water bridge and could only listen as my wife described the devastation of shingles and limbs and cows flying past the window (OK, no cows). Anyway, she freed the birds and no one was hurt. It could have been worse.... Long story short, she patched up two houses and replaced an unrepairable house with an old unit missing its 1st floor walls and got them up as to give the birds someplace to spend the night. The next day I reinforced them as best as possible noting most nests were gone. I had counted 6 full nests and maybe 10 underway before the storm. I also replaced the temporary house with a more complete unit. So those birds are in their 3rd house on that pole in the last week! Now, 8 days later all seems to be normal. I've decided to just leave the houses at "half-mast" as they really don't seem to mind. Today I counted 12 full nests and 8 more under construction. We had hoped to improve over the 14 nests we had last year and, unbelievably it appears we may! Bottom line, these hardy birds have withstood some great tests this year and it appears that switching housing midstream has not been as devastating as I had feared... Hope everyone's year is going well...