Vulture vs Martins

[Maginnis <maginnis@knology.net>]

Greetings,

It was 11 years ago that I put up my purple martin apartment. During that 
time it was never occupied either by martins or sparrows or any other 
thing. This year I was encouraged when I saw a couple of martins returning 
to the roof of the apt. house each evening over a period of  a few weeks, 
but still remained skeptical. On Mothers Day morning,  my son and I saw the 
first signs of nest building. By that time there were 6 martins.  They are 
now fully established and every morning and evening the air is filled with 
their chatter. About 2 weeks ago I heard them making an awful noise instead 
of the usual chatter. On the roof of the apt. house was a young grackle 
surrounded by squawking purple martins. The poor grackle finally got the 
message and took off for a neighboring pine tree with at least one purple 
martin chasing it.

Last night my 2 cardigan corgis caught a baby raccoon. Thankfully they 
hadn't tried to eat it, but it was very dead. Without giving it a thought, 
I flung the raccoon over the fence and into the marsh to let nature take 
care of it.
Turkey vultures are not strangers in my area.Today sitting at the computer 
on the second floor overlooking the marsh and martin house, I have seen one 
circling and flying low. The vulture seemed to pass over the area where I 
had thrown the raccoon. A couple of purple martins even chased it, but it 
came back later. Do martins usually go after something so much bigger than 
themselves? I assume they are trying to protect their nest.
Tell me, can a vulture see something as small as a baby raccoon in marsh 
grass?? If it has seen it will it try to get to it and eat it even if it is 
fairly close to a suburban backyard?

Gail
Charleston,SC