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Question
I have a 12 condo style swallow house on a 14ft pole. We had at least four compartments with swallows checking them out and we watched them go in and out for about a week. Then they left for no apparent reason. The pole is about 30 ft. from our cottage in and open area with no trees. We had a family last year in our old one box house. The one box house is next to the new 12 condo house. Could this be the reason why they left.
Thank you,
Ron Babin(Bathurst NB, Canada
It sounds like you have Purple Martins, which are a kind of swallow I believe. They are very finicky and hard to get and keep, and they will leave for many reasons. We lost ours here due to 26 straight days of rain when they could not get insects. Also owl, hawk and kite attacks will drive them away (they can reach in and get the young), and sometimes we just don't know. Contact the Purple Martin Marketplace and they will send you a free catalog - 814-833-7656, and the Purple Martin Conservation Association will give you a lot of information.
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Answers by Expert:
Bluebird Bob Walshaw
Expertise
I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.
Experience
I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.
Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance
Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World
Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.
Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.
Past/Present Clients
Many
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