first martin of the season / cable replacement?
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Craig Dyer
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 2:24 pm
- Location: Nevada, TX
- Martin Colony History: Area is rural. Offer 28 compartments...metal housing (Lonestar Goliad) & Supergourds all w/crescent entrance holes. Purple martins are abundant here and eager for quality, well maintained, safe housing. Expect near 100% occupancy this season.
I saw the first martin of the season today. It was an ASY female. She was flying around the housing, but I never did see her land on it. I put the Trio up last weekend, and now am somewhat rushed to get the Goliad and gourd rack up. The cable that came with the Goliad system looks warn. What should I replace it with? Will 1/16" diameter galvanized steel cable work? Or do I need something stouter? The Goliad is six floors, and there will be an "add a rack" with Super Gourds beneath it.
Craig Dyer
I would contact the manufacturer.... I have an Alamo from Lone Star and always had helpful responses when I contacted them for questions or concerns. I believe Lone Star sold their company - and right now I cannot remember who is the new owner! Maybe another can help with that info...
Also, I took my add-a-rack system down from the Alamo this year and instead added 4 "universal gourd hanging arms" (Martin Market Place at www.purplemartin.org) under each of the 4 sections of the Alamo house. I have been unhappy with the weight of the add-a-rack with SuperGourds for some time. This gives me 4 less gourds under my Alamo, but it is much more stable. I bought a second pole from Creative Universe Enterprises (AAA 16) with 16 SuperGourds. The combination of the two poles has been a real attractor for the martins!!! Creative Universe Enterprises has smaller poles/racks than a 16 unit - and many other wonderful options. Diane, at Creative Universe Enterprises, is most kind and helpful.
Wishing you a wonderful martin season!
Debba
Also, I took my add-a-rack system down from the Alamo this year and instead added 4 "universal gourd hanging arms" (Martin Market Place at www.purplemartin.org) under each of the 4 sections of the Alamo house. I have been unhappy with the weight of the add-a-rack with SuperGourds for some time. This gives me 4 less gourds under my Alamo, but it is much more stable. I bought a second pole from Creative Universe Enterprises (AAA 16) with 16 SuperGourds. The combination of the two poles has been a real attractor for the martins!!! Creative Universe Enterprises has smaller poles/racks than a 16 unit - and many other wonderful options. Diane, at Creative Universe Enterprises, is most kind and helpful.
Wishing you a wonderful martin season!
Debba
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John Barrow
- Posts: 982
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 4:12 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi / Sandia , Texas
Hi Craig,
I replace cables on my Goliads every couple of years because of my proximity to salt water. I use both the 1/16 inch galvanized and 1/16th inch stainless. I have a friend who replaces with 3/32 inch galvanized. All work fine. We are installing 27-foot cable pieces for replacement which allows a few feet for cushion. You are certainly right in replacing them on the first sign of fraying--these systems falling is not a pretty site and can do heavy damage to the system and its inhabitants.
Debba:
Yes, super gourds are heavy gourds, and eight below a lonestar house is pushing the limits. Another option for reducing the load is to continue using the add a rack and just placing one gourd on each of the four arms. I use mostly natural gourds which are much lighter, and what plastic gourds I use are the Troyer HGs which are both light and opaque.
Best of luck to all this year.
I replace cables on my Goliads every couple of years because of my proximity to salt water. I use both the 1/16 inch galvanized and 1/16th inch stainless. I have a friend who replaces with 3/32 inch galvanized. All work fine. We are installing 27-foot cable pieces for replacement which allows a few feet for cushion. You are certainly right in replacing them on the first sign of fraying--these systems falling is not a pretty site and can do heavy damage to the system and its inhabitants.
Debba:
Yes, super gourds are heavy gourds, and eight below a lonestar house is pushing the limits. Another option for reducing the load is to continue using the add a rack and just placing one gourd on each of the four arms. I use mostly natural gourds which are much lighter, and what plastic gourds I use are the Troyer HGs which are both light and opaque.
Best of luck to all this year.
~~TEAMED WITH A MARTIN GODDESS~~
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
Hi John ~
I did exactly as you suggested for 2 years (added only 4 gourds to the add-a-rack) and still found it heavy and cumbersome. The add-a-rack is heavy itself! My husband and I found it easy to remove and especially easy to add the 4 individual arms under each of the 4 sections of the Alamo housing. Now the house-gourd system is light and compact ~ and much easier to maneuver! I do agree the SuperGourd is heavy and would probably consider a lighter one if I had to order again...
Thanks! Wishing you a wonderful Martin year!
Debba
I did exactly as you suggested for 2 years (added only 4 gourds to the add-a-rack) and still found it heavy and cumbersome. The add-a-rack is heavy itself! My husband and I found it easy to remove and especially easy to add the 4 individual arms under each of the 4 sections of the Alamo housing. Now the house-gourd system is light and compact ~ and much easier to maneuver! I do agree the SuperGourd is heavy and would probably consider a lighter one if I had to order again...
Thanks! Wishing you a wonderful Martin year!
Debba
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Craig Dyer
- Posts: 500
- Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 2:24 pm
- Location: Nevada, TX
- Martin Colony History: Area is rural. Offer 28 compartments...metal housing (Lonestar Goliad) & Supergourds all w/crescent entrance holes. Purple martins are abundant here and eager for quality, well maintained, safe housing. Expect near 100% occupancy this season.
Thanks John,
I know where I can get the 3/32" Dia. galvanized steel. I think I'll feel more secure with that.
Hi Debba,
I agree with you, the add-a-rack mount is heavy. Seems a little bit of an over kill for what it is supporting. How did you mount the individual arms under the Goliad?
I know where I can get the 3/32" Dia. galvanized steel. I think I'll feel more secure with that.
Hi Debba,
I agree with you, the add-a-rack mount is heavy. Seems a little bit of an over kill for what it is supporting. How did you mount the individual arms under the Goliad?
Craig Dyer
Craig ~
Actually I have an Alamo rather than the Goliad. (I can't remember the configuration of the Goliad?) I mounted each arm under the front left corner of each of the 4 sides. We decided this was the most stable place. The small rectangular mounting brace has 2 screws and the heads of the screws are inside the compartments. It does cause a slight bump on one side when nest trays are inserted, yet not a big deal. A photo would probably be helpful, which I don't have right now!
You are so right about the add-a-rack being overkill for what it is supporting! We live and learn! I would not recommend it... Since I wanted more gourds, a second "gourd-only" pole was my choice. They complement each other well!
Debba
Actually I have an Alamo rather than the Goliad. (I can't remember the configuration of the Goliad?) I mounted each arm under the front left corner of each of the 4 sides. We decided this was the most stable place. The small rectangular mounting brace has 2 screws and the heads of the screws are inside the compartments. It does cause a slight bump on one side when nest trays are inserted, yet not a big deal. A photo would probably be helpful, which I don't have right now!
You are so right about the add-a-rack being overkill for what it is supporting! We live and learn! I would not recommend it... Since I wanted more gourds, a second "gourd-only" pole was my choice. They complement each other well!
Debba