Purple Martin: Protection from Predators

(5/4/13)-Oklahoma Gardening Host Kim Toscano talks with ODWC Wildlife Diversity Biologist Mark Howery about how to keep purple martin houses protected from predators.

[@bgnPrinceton]

Just wanted to note for those scoring at home...the ground predator deterrent shown is only effective if it's placed higher than a rat snake's body length. The snake can get around it easily if it can anchor itself on the ground and get its head over the top edge. So these are really only effective at about 7 feet above ground level to be really secure. Even then, it may be possible for it to anchor itself on the pole and then work its way around the guard. It's better than no guard, but not even close to being a completely effective solution to prevent rat snakes from reaching the birds.
The best solution I have found is bird netting affixed to the pole, either in a big ball or like a skirt. But this is more of a trap, and will require removal of the snake at some point. I have relocated the several rat snakes that I have caught this way, those that made it past the 4foot section of pvc pipe that protects my bird houses.

[@amiecooper2539]

I watched a barred owl, before dusk, land on my gourd rack and drag out a martin. My neighbor constructed a cage made of strong 4x2 chicken wire that bows out and is open at the bottom. It surrounds the gourds. It took a day for the martins to adjust but now they swoop in sideways, are happily nesting, the owl split, and I can sleep better!