Steve:
In our part of the world, the Martins have long been called "Bee Martins"
due to the bright red and yellow feathers on the top of thier heads. It
is believed that they spread these apart and attract honeybees toward the
"Flower Look Alike" . I remember knocking one down with a sling-shot when
I was a kid and looked at the feathers.
 
My problem has been with the Blue Jay. They will dive in front of the
hive and catch the bees, particular the ones laden with pollen.
 
Bob Neely
Goose Creek, SC
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On Fri, 2 May 1997 09:56:15 -0500 STEVE PHILLIPS
<[log in to unmask]> writes:
>I've always had a purple martin house, but since I've started keeping
>bees I wonder if I need to get rid of the martin house.   Since I've
>started
>keeping bees I've noted a marked increase in the number of martins
>that
>hang out on the power lines near my martin house.  (I counted over 40
>one day.)  Do martins eat bees?  Can martins have an effect on hive
>population or does a healthy hive raise enough brood that it isn't a
>problem?  Are the martins likely to get the queen on her mating
>flight?
>
>                                  -Steve Phillips-
>                                     - Perry, KS -
>                          [log in to unmask]
>