Starlings roosting on my Optibeam OB 11-5 antenna Saturday 06 October 2012
As I reported on 18 August in Swallows are gathering this time of year large number of birds gather on my ham radio antennas prior to flying away to warmer climes.
This week it was the turn of the starlings to settle here for a time...
Nice antenna there Phil. Are the swallows keeping there feet warm. 73's M6JVF.Bill.
ReplyDeleteNot sure Bill - but I think they were preparing to migrate. I don't have the Optibeam now or the big Strumech HD Tower, as I moved house to a more residential situation. I wouldn't want that number of starlings perching on my small Tennamast and Hexbeam as they are close to the house and directly over an expensive recently laid Indian flagstone patio! We have a number of pheasants in the garden this time of year however, but so far the pheasants have not taken to flying high enough to get on the aerials. The pigeons do though - and make quite a mess underneath!
ReplyDelete73 Phil
You need a longer boom and more elements to accommodate more birds :-)
ReplyDelete73 Marvin VE3VEE
Hello Marvin,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on my blog!
I moved house and so the Optibeam and big mast was sold in 2016. Now using an Hexbeam at a different QTH on a shorter 12m high mast one mile from the old QTH. Here at this QTH (nearer the town centre) pigeon's are the problem - we see few starlings. I have a 6m/4m yagi fixed underneath the Hexbeam and a 7+7 element 2m Cross Yagi fixed to the house. The highest number of pheasants seen in the garden is eight, but they don't have the wing power to fly up to the antennae.
73 Phil G4OBK