 Dozens of these charming martin condominiums will be scattered throughout the neighborhood |
Author: Marci Cannon
07/20/2006
From deer to bunnies, turtles, fish and birds, Hammond’s Ferry has a large variety of wildlife. In helping our wildlife, Hammond's Ferry has begun a program for martins by building them homes of their own.
As many of our potential buyers, the martins prefer a condominium type home. There are 24 holes in each martin condominium. Each hole is a separate unit with common walls, ceilings and floors (just like an ownership in a condominium). In Hammond's Ferry there will be dozens of condos scattered throughout the neighborhood.
One common myth on martins is that they eat 2000 mosquitoes a day and they can eliminate a backyard mosquito problem. They do have a hardy appetite. They eat different types of insects, including flies, bees, beetles, flying ants and moths, and here in the south, the dreaded mosquito!!
Researchers have found that all of the martins that survive migration and the winter return to the same location where they spent the spring. Up to ten percent of the young birds will also return to the place where they hatched and were raised.
This type of condominium for the martin has actually saved it from extinction. Many experts say that 98 percent of the martins use these condominiums rather than their natural resources for their nesting.
It is now necessary for the landlord to help the martin ward off its predator. The condo will be 10-20 feet off the ground. A predator guard is placed on the pole to make it difficult for cats or snakes to raid the nest.
The song of a martin is a distinctive, low-pitched liquid rolling twitter and is unmistakable. Also, their color and beauty make them pleasing to the eye. We have a wide variety of birds in the neighborhood which provide for enjoyable bird watching.
http://www.homeandpatioshow.com/landscaping-gardening/31082.php
http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/backyard_birds/myths/myths.aspx
http://birding.about.com/library/weekly/aa081501a.htm