Hi,
I put up 6 Natureline gourds this year and 5 were filled. They have the crescent hole entrance. I made some tail props to fit on them and they work fine. The birds really took to them easier than I thought. They seemed to struggle trying to get in before I added the tail props. It really made the difference I believe. I open mine by pushing down on the top of the little roof over the entrance hole. They open easy now that I got the hang of it. I have not tried the porches as of yet. Had no fall outs this year.
Natureline gourds
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gussiemike
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:26 am
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA
- Martin Colony History: 07/3pair 08/10pair 09/14pair 10/17pair 11/18pair 12/21pair 13/18pair 14/20pair 15/13pair 16/7pair. Landlord for 10yrs. Colony has shrunk the last two yrs.
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gussiemike
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:26 am
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA
- Martin Colony History: 07/3pair 08/10pair 09/14pair 10/17pair 11/18pair 12/21pair 13/18pair 14/20pair 15/13pair 16/7pair. Landlord for 10yrs. Colony has shrunk the last two yrs.
Hi,
Tail props help the birds balance at the entrance of the gourds. They grab the entrance hole and hold on with their feet. Their tail pushes against the prop. It holds them upright as the pause and peer inside the gourd. Some times they just shoot right in the hole with no hesitation at all. I believe it has made a big difference on these Natureline gourds.
Tail props help the birds balance at the entrance of the gourds. They grab the entrance hole and hold on with their feet. Their tail pushes against the prop. It holds them upright as the pause and peer inside the gourd. Some times they just shoot right in the hole with no hesitation at all. I believe it has made a big difference on these Natureline gourds.
I have used the Natureline gourds for two years. Mine have the crescent entrance. I have not modified them at all. Last year i had a little trouble opening the fronts, but his year they seem to open easier. I don't know if I have figured out better how they open, or the aging process has made them open with more ease. I press down on the top of the roof over the entrance. The Martins go in and out of them just fine. I had one starling that fit in the entrance early in the season, but we took care of that.
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oneidalaker
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Sun May 22, 2005 6:39 pm
- Location: New York/Cicero
GussieMike, how did you make the tail props??
Leave nothing to chance
Greetings,
I've had good luck so far with my naturelines.
I started a new colony this year with them after the old house got knocked down after last season.
They did initially have problems navigating the cresents but now just zip in and out like it's home - hey, it is home.....
If I had it to do over again, I think that instead of putting cresents in all 16 gourds, I would have had 4 or so on the top layer with round holes for the first year then change to cresents exclusively. Too late to worry about that this year and since the colony has been re-established, I'm not gonna worry about it next year....
I've had good luck so far with my naturelines.
I started a new colony this year with them after the old house got knocked down after last season.
They did initially have problems navigating the cresents but now just zip in and out like it's home - hey, it is home.....
If I had it to do over again, I think that instead of putting cresents in all 16 gourds, I would have had 4 or so on the top layer with round holes for the first year then change to cresents exclusively. Too late to worry about that this year and since the colony has been re-established, I'm not gonna worry about it next year....
Cheers,
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
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gussiemike
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:26 am
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA
- Martin Colony History: 07/3pair 08/10pair 09/14pair 10/17pair 11/18pair 12/21pair 13/18pair 14/20pair 15/13pair 16/7pair. Landlord for 10yrs. Colony has shrunk the last two yrs.
Hi oneidalaker,
My tail props are nothing fancy. I had some strips of thin wood about 1/4" thick. I cut them 3 and 1/2" wide and 5" long. I drilled a hole in the gourd about 1/8" below the entrance. I used a small screw, washer and a nut to attach it. I painted it white. Some I will have to touch up with paint for next year. They are not fancy but they sure use them.
My tail props are nothing fancy. I had some strips of thin wood about 1/4" thick. I cut them 3 and 1/2" wide and 5" long. I drilled a hole in the gourd about 1/8" below the entrance. I used a small screw, washer and a nut to attach it. I painted it white. Some I will have to touch up with paint for next year. They are not fancy but they sure use them.