Murderer in my yard

[chickadee]

Well first time in 7 years hosting martins that I had a problem. Last week we went inside right when it got dark. Then hubby took the dog out at 7 am and found Martin feathers on the ground under my sons swing set. That sits across from the Martin housing. Along with blood on the swing. Looked around Martin housing know blood on the gourds or any signs. Days before that we found just a spine of a rabbit under the tree. Well then the next night took the dog out heard a rabbit scream like something got it. Then the next day out front under the tree looked like a whole robin family nest got taken. And I was missing the robin nest out back in my apple tree by my Martin houses. Now today out on the ground by the Martin house is more Martin feathers. I am going to kil whatever is killing in my yard. Because I don't know what to do when I have know idea what is killing in my hard. And how it is getting these martins. 2 that I know of. 2 racks are caged. Not under neth them tho. And one rack and a crapy house is not. But they appear for everyone to be accounted for. I am at a loss.

[Louise Chambers]

It may not be the same predator involved in every episode - a great horned owl or coyote could have gotten the rabbits, a cat could have gotten the robins. Since the bottoms of your owl guard cages are not closed, you might want want to close them up right away - owls will enter from the open bottoms of the cages. If you have a game cam or any type of home security camera (some are pretty inexpensive, might be worth the investment), you could set that up to monitor the martin systems at night. But sounds like it might be an owl getting the martins.

[chickadee]

I need to do something. I am just tired of fighting the fight. Even knowing how much I love these birds. I thought I had them well protected. But now I am just out of ideas and feeling defeated.

[Anthony Neira]

So sorry for your situation, any chance the dog can be closer to the poles? I have 2 " night patrol" dogs, who are Not mean, but they will bark at strange cats & any racoon that gets in our yard. But if it's.owls....

[jedin]

Good luck Chickadee. It does sound like different predators.

[chickadee]

Idk I have dogs but are inside. And we have raccoons. And great horn owls will take rabbits . We are thick with them. Ten in the street every night. And this all started when I seen the first Martin eaten at the swing set. And the robin nest had to be an owl to take it from the apple tree out back to the tree out front. Took the whole nest and tons of baby bird feathers left. And I just found a few Martin feather spots outside. This owl is having a Buffett in my yard. It's going to be a few days till I can cage in the other rack. But I'm going take wire or something under neth the ones that are caged. This really sucks. Always been my fear with getting so many birds. I have my moments but I won't be defeated by this night hunter. I love owls would love to see him tonight so I can give him a slap.lol worse then cats it's like go find a sparrow in a tree.lol

[KathyF]

Chickadee - I had a problem with an owl this year too....check out what happened at my site - the Browning recon camera helped me identify what was going on and now monitoring. I grabbed a bunch of garden stakes at walmart and put in temporary guards too.

http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com/2014/05 ... -thee.html

[chickadee]

I can't believe it. I decided to stay out side till it got all the way dark. To scare off any martins if they tried to stay out. 2 flew out into the feint towards the trees. And the rest went in their gourds right when it got dark. Then 40 ft away a owl flew into the tree. I about had a panic attach. I yelled for my husband and it flew away. I will be on guard tonight.

[chickadee]

Kathy,those pictures are horrifying. I would die. And I know that's what going on. Sad thing is I have a Coates house that had a cage on it. I took it off. Thought I didn't need it. I have got lazy this year. I will put it back on tomorrow. Now that leaves a aaa rack with nothing. Those garden stakes how did you put them on? Are they expensive? I am so afraid my martins are going to abandon whatever rack is under attach. I hope in the next 2 days to have this fixed.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

I think you found the cause of your problems, a wise old owl! I stayed out late, and saw about the same thing a few years ago. I would try to close the bottom of the cage around the housing.

[chickadee]

Thanks Emil, my husband has been laying are kitchen floor all day today. He is going to take time out tomorrow to get this taken care of. He must be eating here good to show up so early. I told my husband he probually be here. Between 1 and 5 am like the cable guy. I'm not sure if my birds are still singing. Or what time they do it. Ib herd four am they star? But we are going to keep an eye out all night. Thanks for all the advise everyone. I need all ideas.

[birdbrat]

First your boxer, now this! This must be your year for heartache! I am so sorry to read that your colony is under attack. You have such a great setup. Did you ever pinpoint which birds were taken? I was thinking as I read your first post that it could have been an unattached martin that was hanging out at your place. Then after reading this post it came to mind that it could be a fledgling aged bird. (Some of your young should be about the same age as mine.) Especially if all of your parent birds are accounted for. A lot of times there is nothing we can do. The cages and owl guards are for added protection. But a wise old owl can hang from a cage and make all kinds of noise and will cause some birds to fly. The cage does give them a wider escape route, but sometimes they don't make it. I am sorry this is happening to you and I hope that old owl moves on soon.

[KathyF]

chickadee, no they're not expensive. They are $1.32 for a 2-pack of 4 footers. I attached them using zip ties. These gourd racks have round gourd arms, so there's no way to screw holes in the arms. A friend also recommended hose clamps. It's not pretty, but it will allow you to quickly get something in place.

[chickadee]

Birdbrat, it has been a trying year for me. I have also wondered myself even if all is caged in what stops a owl from landing on the cage and shaking it and spooking them out? I guess with all caged it makes it harder and puts the odds in their favor. I do know yesterday morning their was a male doing more like a calling. I did not get to see what gourd he went to. At this point I can not poin pen where the owl is killing. But I did find Martin feathers on the ground under the not caged AAA rack. I hate the thought that he sat up their and had his dinner. Today we will be working on this.