House Martins

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Peter
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   posted 06 June 2001 10:05 PM     Profile for Peter   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote



I've just had a problem with a pair of House Martins starting to build a nest on the apex of the front of our house. They've been making a right mess, mud everywhere!

Well, I got the ladder out and put it against the wall (2 lengths, full stretch!) and started to climb up a few steps, the ladder wobbles and I'm not keen on heights.So I climbed back down again. I was preparing the scraper and paint to clear up the mess, before going up and before the birds could complete their nest.

Then I here my wife on the phone. Who you talking to? 'The Fire Brigade are on their way'. You're joking, ring them back and tell them not to waste their time. She rang back but they're already on their way.

Can you imaging a fire engine with 6 firemen fully kitted out, arriving to move a part built nest from a wall. I have never been so embarrassed in ALL my life.

I wouldn't mind but when the firemen left, I still had to go up the ladders to clear the mess completely and put up some polythene to stop the birds coming back.

To be fair the firemen were brilliant, good humoured and didn't threaten to kill either of us! Thanks guys.

Have you ever had something happen, totally beyond your control that has sent you cringing into the corner?
Posts: 23 | From: UK | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged

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Elaine
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   posted 07 June 2001 07:45 AM     Profile for Elaine     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote



Peter! You are SO awful, you deserve all the embarrasment metered to you! The poor birds only wanted to use your wall for a few weeks, then they would be away again until next year. For almost 20 years we have looked forward to the arrival of swallows and housemartens, building nests and rearing their babies on our home and garage. We have spent many happy hours watching them feed their fledgelings on the telephone wires in our garden, then, come the end of August, watch them all gather from around the neighbourhood before flying off again to Africa for the winter.
The past few years have seen fewer and fewer birds return in Spring. This year we have seen only two pairs of swallows. Next year, maybe none at all. This is the first year that in my memory, I haven't heard a cuckoo. It's so sad. What's a bit of mud? Shame on you. Elaine. Posts: 57 | From: Ballachulish, Scotland. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged

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Peter
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   posted 07 June 2001 08:52 PM     Profile for Peter   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote



But it's a new house with new rendering on the walls and now there's bird droppings everywhere. Besides, there's not enough meat on them for a sandwich!

You'll be happy to know, the birds have ignored our requests to leave the house alone and started their nest again. And the male has just flow in through the window and insisted we call him Marty. I said OK provided they start using the toilet paper we've put outside!

Oh for a quiet life!
Posts: 23 | From: UK | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged

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Keith
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   posted 07 June 2001 10:10 PM     Profile for Keith     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote Hi



Peter, The solution to your problem is;
1) to move into a bungalow to save calling out the Fire Brigade or
2) Send them to Scotland via the M6 to Elaine or
3)Erect a sign "No nesting allowed" or
4)I can let you have a copy of the hit "Caravan of Love by The Housemartins" which should chase them away forever.
I hope this is ecologically correct and would do no harm to the birds.
I have heard about people falling in love with men in uniforms so be careful!!!! Posts: 29 | From: Chester | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged

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SCOUTER
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   posted 11 June 2001 09:03 PM     Profile for SCOUTER     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote



Peter. Another possible solution to your housematen problem may be to simply build a marten house. I have plans for one that can hold 10 nests and can mail it or try to get it scanned and fwdd to you. Out this way we also look fwd to the return of the martens. Glenwood had abt 4 days of rain while we were away and today was hot enough to split the rocks. That means we have just had a big hatch and the black flies and mosquitos are out in full force, looking for that first feed of blood to kick start the reproductive process. (It's only the females that bite!!!) Housemartens consume great amounts of these flying irritants so they are considered to be beneficial. OR.... I can send you a really good recipe for BBQ wings.
Posts: 10 | From: Glenwood, Newfoundland, Canada | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged

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RedMare
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   posted 10 July 2001 05:21 PM     Profile for RedMare     Send New Private Message   Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote



Keith, how can you say that about the Housemartins? They are a wonderful band. Have you ever listened to any of their other music?

RedMare
Posts: 1 | From: NW England | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged