Martins vs. Bluebirds... Bluebirds win!

by Camp David
(Bonneau Beach, South Carolina)

We started last spring with one Martin house... a 12 room "2-story hotel" really. On a 200 ft. dock over fresh water. We had great success last year, so decided to add a second "hotel" in April of this year.

Typically, the Martin Scouts seem to check things out in February, and nest around April or May in our area. We put the 2nd nest out a little late, hoping to attract the "babies" and to encourage some "new business".

We had NEW martins settle in the 2nd "hotel" pretty quickly. On or about May 3rd this year, a pair of blue birds decided they liked "Hotel #2" too, and drove the martins away... The blue birds "dive-bombed" them and every other bird that tried to enter the house.

It was both fascinating and sad to watch the martins hover outside of the house and try to see what was going on. We felt like we had no choice but to put up a "3rd martin hotel".

We were not sure if we should have done this or let the "survival of the fittest" continue... However, within 45 minutes of putting up the 3rd "hotel", the martins began making new nests and quit bothering the blue birds.

The blue birds settled down and even allowed some martins to take over some "rooms" on the other side of the house.

Interestingly, this past weekend, May 30th, we had a Blue Heron land on top of 2 of the Martin Houses, housing the nesting Martins. We finally scared the Heron away as the huge bird seemed very curious about what was inside.

As of today, June 1st, we have not witnessed any young bluebirds,or purple martins for that matter but hope to soon!

We are fascinated by this natural order!