Martins and tree swallows are friendly birds that like people. They feed while on the wing, eating thousands of flies, mosquitoes, moths, and many other insects.
We should do everything we can to encourage them to live in our gardens.
Martin’s Nest
The martins will nest in houses as low as 7’ feet above the ground, but many homemade martin houses are still being built according to instructions in old bird books, which call for them to be placed at least 18’ feet high.
This is a mistake since the higher houses prove to be havens for starlings and sparrows. Also, the weight of the large martin house takes two or three men to handle, so when fall comes, the house is usually left up instead of being taken down.
Thus it serves as a breeding place for unwanted starlings and sparrows. These birds are usually well-fed in gardens all winter. However, they gang up on martins, and tree swallows in spring when these birds conic back to the nest in their old homes.
Approaching The Martin House
When you approach a martin house that is placed 18 feet from the ground, sparrows and starlings will look down disdainfully, but if you approach a house that is 7’ to 9’ feet above the ground, these pests fly away.
Since starlings and sparrows do not like people, but martins do, you can discourage unwanted birds and encourage martins by placing your martin house at the height of 7’ to 10’ feet and in a location where there will be sure to be a great deal of human activity.
The government is appropriating money to fight the great increase of starlings. However, you can do your bit by placing martin houses properly in your garden.
41323 by J. H. Mura