I added 8 Natureline Gourds to my setup and am finding removing the entrance/access ports to be rather difficult. Is there a trick or tool out there to make lifting the tabs easier?
The openings are oblong. I've fitted a few with porches. I've also found that my martins are yet to access the oblong openings without porches. Do the oblong openings need porches or will the martins figure out access eventually?
Need Easier Natureline Gourd Access
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oneidalaker
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2005 6:39 pm
- Location: New York/Cicero
Leave nothing to chance
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Guest
I have eight Natureline gourds with obround holes. The tab on the bottom is easy for me to lift and remove the opening, but I cut down trees and heat with wood! Maybe gloves would help? I never used porches and have eggs in five gourds so far this season. The Martins moved in as soon as I put the gourd rack up, but it took a few years to become more popular to a colony used to 6X6X6 Trio compartments. Good luck!
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Sandy - NC
- Posts: 617
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 6:40 pm
- Location: Rocky Mount, NC
Put an access port in the gourd and you won't have to worry about those issues any more.
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Guest
Hi,
They are a beast to open. I use my jack knive and open a little at the top of the door and then it starts to come out easier. Also I find that when they mold these doors their is kind of a burr on the gourd door entrance (not the insert) and I use my knife to scrape some of it off.
Natureline has the new Natureline II gourd out for 2008 but stores do not carry it yet even though flyers were sent to them. Maybe they have so much of the old gourds that if they show the new gourd , no one will buy the new gourd as the price is the same. The new gourds have a 2 inch hole on top for easy nest checks, etc. Also the new gourds have shelves that are neat and can easily be attached to them.
Also, I have 24 natureliine gourds up and two are without porches and they choose the porches and none will go into the two that have no porches , so I will convert them with porches this weekend. All gourds are occupied except these two.
If you want to get these shelves to attach to your existing naturline doors you will have to contact naturline direct for information. All you have to do to attach the shelf is drill two 1/4" holes and use a little silicone caulking. I tried to copy and paste a picture of Naturline Gourd II, but I am too old and do not know how to do it. Plasticraft is the manufacturer of Naturline Gourds.
They are a beast to open. I use my jack knive and open a little at the top of the door and then it starts to come out easier. Also I find that when they mold these doors their is kind of a burr on the gourd door entrance (not the insert) and I use my knife to scrape some of it off.
Natureline has the new Natureline II gourd out for 2008 but stores do not carry it yet even though flyers were sent to them. Maybe they have so much of the old gourds that if they show the new gourd , no one will buy the new gourd as the price is the same. The new gourds have a 2 inch hole on top for easy nest checks, etc. Also the new gourds have shelves that are neat and can easily be attached to them.
Also, I have 24 natureliine gourds up and two are without porches and they choose the porches and none will go into the two that have no porches , so I will convert them with porches this weekend. All gourds are occupied except these two.
If you want to get these shelves to attach to your existing naturline doors you will have to contact naturline direct for information. All you have to do to attach the shelf is drill two 1/4" holes and use a little silicone caulking. I tried to copy and paste a picture of Naturline Gourd II, but I am too old and do not know how to do it. Plasticraft is the manufacturer of Naturline Gourds.
Last edited by Guest on Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:00 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Hello oneidalaker
I just started a 16 gourd 2 rack level Natureline System with all elongated entrances and no porches straight out of the box. This is my first year and the Martins can access the elongated entrances without porches. We have 3 pairs right now and and pretty sure a 4th pair is building a nest right now.
I understand when you switch to SREH, porches are an absolute must to help them get through. As I was instructed here, I use a pocket knife in the crack of the side bottom of the entrances to etch them out and then they come out pretty easily.
I know, I too want to install ports in the fall after they fly back. it's a pain and i don't want accidentally jerk the gourd with babies in it. A thin pocket knife helps A LOT.
I just started a 16 gourd 2 rack level Natureline System with all elongated entrances and no porches straight out of the box. This is my first year and the Martins can access the elongated entrances without porches. We have 3 pairs right now and and pretty sure a 4th pair is building a nest right now.
I understand when you switch to SREH, porches are an absolute must to help them get through. As I was instructed here, I use a pocket knife in the crack of the side bottom of the entrances to etch them out and then they come out pretty easily.
I know, I too want to install ports in the fall after they fly back. it's a pain and i don't want accidentally jerk the gourd with babies in it. A thin pocket knife helps A LOT.
rwbelke,
Would you say the Natural Lines new gourds that come with porches can be modified and used on the old gourds with sreh entrances?
I am looking to install porches with the snap in srehs for next year and that would be great if they can pretty much fitted and then we just have to attach them ourselves.
Thank for that information
Would you say the Natural Lines new gourds that come with porches can be modified and used on the old gourds with sreh entrances?
I am looking to install porches with the snap in srehs for next year and that would be great if they can pretty much fitted and then we just have to attach them ourselves.
Thank for that information
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Guest
Matt,
Yes the new shelves or porches can be put on the old naturline doors by drilling two 1/4 inches holes and then using some silicon caulking to help hold them in place. You have to order them direct from naturline.
Yes the new shelves or porches can be put on the old naturline doors by drilling two 1/4 inches holes and then using some silicon caulking to help hold them in place. You have to order them direct from naturline.