We have been cleaning out trashy nest for two days and last night our martins did not come in!! We have starling resistant holes on our house but the martins nested and preferred two gourds with round holes. Night before last our martins moved into the house.... but then the starlings started chasing them off. Last night and today: no martins! We have removed the round-holed gourds and are going for a pellet gun! Will our martins come back?Starlings?
What a disappointment! Last year was our first year with matins. We were overjoyed when all 3 (nesting pair and single male) returned 5 days ago. We enjoyed the music and company. We have always had to fight sparrows but were having little trouble with them. Then we were back at work, and apparently STARLINGS CAME. We have been cleaning out trashy nest for two days and last night our martins did not come in!! We have starling resistant holes on our house but the martins nested and preferred two gourds with round holes. Night before last our martins moved into the house.... but then the starlings started chasing them off. Last night and today: no martins! We have removed the round-holed gourds and are going for a pellet gun! Will our martins come back?
We have been cleaning out trashy nest for two days and last night our martins did not come in!! We have starling resistant holes on our house but the martins nested and preferred two gourds with round holes. Night before last our martins moved into the house.... but then the starlings started chasing them off. Last night and today: no martins! We have removed the round-holed gourds and are going for a pellet gun! Will our martins come back?-
KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
Hi
It's hard to say if they will come back, but if they're your bonded martins from last year it's more likely. However, the quicker you get rid of the starlings, the better your chances are that they will come back!
Shoot or trap them as quick as you can. Here's some more unsolicited advice - regarding pellet guns. If you don't already have one and you're going to purchase one, don't waste your money on the cheap guns you can get a Walmart. You'll end up with wasted $$$ and a lot of frustration and missed targets and end up returning it anyway.
If you can afford it, spend a little more and get a *good* pellet gun - trust me - it's a long term investment you won't regret.
It's hard to say if they will come back, but if they're your bonded martins from last year it's more likely. However, the quicker you get rid of the starlings, the better your chances are that they will come back!
Shoot or trap them as quick as you can. Here's some more unsolicited advice - regarding pellet guns. If you don't already have one and you're going to purchase one, don't waste your money on the cheap guns you can get a Walmart. You'll end up with wasted $$$ and a lot of frustration and missed targets and end up returning it anyway.
If you can afford it, spend a little more and get a *good* pellet gun - trust me - it's a long term investment you won't regret.
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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Guest
I totally understand your frustration with the starlings. Over the years I've shot and trapped many of these nasty mean pests. Do you have any traps? I've used them in my super gourds, and my large T-14 house with some success over the years . I also have a box trap that looks like a bluebird house mounted near my martin houses and most mornings I catch a starling. Very satisfying! This year we bought the self setting house trap that collects them in a big wire cage.. I just need my husband to put it up for me!
Look around at the different types available from different sources. Of course a gun works well too, but I was making pellet holes in my gourds!
Over the past 15 years of being a martin landlord, my experience has been that the starlings harass in early in the season, and then slack off after I've thinned them out. Here our martins have always come back even with the starling competition. I hope you have success! Everything you're doing helps the martins! How wonderful that you have them! Alot of us wait years for them to come. I know I did!
RSM
Look around at the different types available from different sources. Of course a gun works well too, but I was making pellet holes in my gourds!
Over the past 15 years of being a martin landlord, my experience has been that the starlings harass in early in the season, and then slack off after I've thinned them out. Here our martins have always come back even with the starling competition. I hope you have success! Everything you're doing helps the martins! How wonderful that you have them! Alot of us wait years for them to come. I know I did!
RSM
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Tim Mangan-Kansas
- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:25 am
- Location: Kansas, Pittsburg
- Martin Colony History: 2016 - 22 Pair
There is no way to say if they will return. If it is one or both of the same pair you had last year chances are they might return for a few days to check on their old housing. If the starlings are still there, more than likely the martins will try to find a nest elsewhere.
You have a Trio house modified to larger compartments which is good. However, the martins you had this season are telling you they prefer the gourds. Do they prefer the gourds just because they are gourds or because of the round holes. No way to tell for sure.
First thing to do is get rid of the starlings. Secondly, since your pair was staying in one of your gourds, I would change the openings on your gourds to SREH. If your gourds have a porch, make sure the porch is no more than 1/8" from the bottom of the opening.
If you can quickly make these changes, you stand a chance of your pair returning.
Tim
You have a Trio house modified to larger compartments which is good. However, the martins you had this season are telling you they prefer the gourds. Do they prefer the gourds just because they are gourds or because of the round holes. No way to tell for sure.
First thing to do is get rid of the starlings. Secondly, since your pair was staying in one of your gourds, I would change the openings on your gourds to SREH. If your gourds have a porch, make sure the porch is no more than 1/8" from the bottom of the opening.
If you can quickly make these changes, you stand a chance of your pair returning.
Tim
Licensed Bander
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
We are going to win the battle with Starlings today! We just had two martins (I think ours) sitting on the house and the Starlings chased them off.....SO THERE IS HOPE.
Kathy, you helped me tons last year! Nice to hear from you again. You gun advice was in time. Hubby is gone to get a good one. For today, we need to kill them quickly.
Tim, great advice. I am ordering the SRH attachments today for the gourds...but will stand by this weekend ready to shoot until the order comes in. I live in a small town, so online ordering is my only option for the gourd attachments. Thanks, Tim! I need to check the porch distance...
Robin, thanks! I am ordering the traps to day. You sound right on target about the early-year pestering. Last year, we put the house up in end of April and I never saw one starling. I thought maybe we didn't have them in west Texas. In fact this morning we had to locate a picture to confirm it was a starling. Definitely want the traps....(for sparrows too)....
Thanks you guys.... Heading to the yard for a fun day of martin protection. Will keep you posted on the imminent return of my martins!
Kathy, you helped me tons last year! Nice to hear from you again. You gun advice was in time. Hubby is gone to get a good one. For today, we need to kill them quickly.
Tim, great advice. I am ordering the SRH attachments today for the gourds...but will stand by this weekend ready to shoot until the order comes in. I live in a small town, so online ordering is my only option for the gourd attachments. Thanks, Tim! I need to check the porch distance...
Robin, thanks! I am ordering the traps to day. You sound right on target about the early-year pestering. Last year, we put the house up in end of April and I never saw one starling. I thought maybe we didn't have them in west Texas. In fact this morning we had to locate a picture to confirm it was a starling. Definitely want the traps....(for sparrows too)....
Thanks you guys.... Heading to the yard for a fun day of martin protection. Will keep you posted on the imminent return of my martins!
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KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
Yes! I remember our discussions last year and I'm so glad to see you're back with us this year! I'm also glad to hear your martins have returned this year.
Keep us posted on how it goes with your new "starling eradication" program.
Keep us posted on how it goes with your new "starling eradication" program.
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
-
Guest
Owens,
So glad to hear you saw your martins again! Keep up the starling slaying.. We're busy at it today too! My husband is modifying our T-14 doors and just caught his first starling in the box trap inside. ( I usually trap starlings.. he shoots them!) He was surprised at how mean they are and how they fight back. Exactly why the only good starling is a dead one. Best wishes! RSM
So glad to hear you saw your martins again! Keep up the starling slaying.. We're busy at it today too! My husband is modifying our T-14 doors and just caught his first starling in the box trap inside. ( I usually trap starlings.. he shoots them!) He was surprised at how mean they are and how they fight back. Exactly why the only good starling is a dead one. Best wishes! RSM
Owens,
I'm not sure which exact model of Trio you have (I'm guessing either an MSS-12, or, an M-12K), but one thing you could do, until you gourd SREHs arrive, is revert a couple of compartments in your Trio back to 6"X6", and place the round hole doors back on them.
This will give them a round hole option, that is not going to be an attractive compartment to the starlings.
This may help to keep them around, until your entrances arrive.
Keep us posted.
I'm not sure which exact model of Trio you have (I'm guessing either an MSS-12, or, an M-12K), but one thing you could do, until you gourd SREHs arrive, is revert a couple of compartments in your Trio back to 6"X6", and place the round hole doors back on them.
This will give them a round hole option, that is not going to be an attractive compartment to the starlings.
This may help to keep them around, until your entrances arrive.
Keep us posted.
Our martins are back with friends! They spent the night last night and the starlings are greatly affected by even the noise of the pellet gun. (Apparently hitting a bird is an acquired skill; we have killed no starlings.) They are really afraid of us though. Starlings (hereafter known as devil birds) seem to be relinquishing the whole site, but I am sure it is only because we are out.... Ordered ground bait-type traps and SREH holes. Matt, thanks for the info about starlings not liking the smaller compartments. Made the temporary adjustment.
You guys are the best! Thanks for the help.....Last count this morning, we have about 6 martins hanging around.
You guys are the best! Thanks for the help.....Last count this morning, we have about 6 martins hanging around.
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tonyg
- Posts: 1520
- Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
- Location: Olpe, KS
- Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..
Glad to hear your martins are back. I don't know about texas but here in Ks if you live out side the city limits you can use a shotgun. I personally use a light weight 20 ga. and it does wonders on sparrows and startlings. So far 6 starlings and 4 sparrows have beeb introduced to their maker. I never was to good with bb and pellet guns, one pellet compared to 30/40 buckshot. Good luck with those nastsy birds from hell......
Pellet guns work great. Knocked of 4 this year so far and it seems they send the message to the others because I have not seen any since. Itching to use the gun again. I bought a Gamo Wispier. Has a scope and a noise suppressor. Just a mention, try different pellets and scope it in on that pellet because they all perform different. When I bought it the sales guy said it takes about 500 shots to break it in and become more accurate. Go get the starlings "trash birds" J
John
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starling shooter
- Posts: 461
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:43 pm
- Location: Central MO
Exchange where their gourds are for ones with SREH.
If they are bonded to your site, they'll pick it up in no time.
No reason for round holes.. IMHO.
UNLESS...you can monitor your colony all the time.
The nest box trap the the PMCA sells is great too.
If they are bonded to your site, they'll pick it up in no time.
No reason for round holes.. IMHO.
UNLESS...you can monitor your colony all the time.
The nest box trap the the PMCA sells is great too.
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James Johnson
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 5:30 am
- Location: Arkansas/Western Grove
Owens good luck with your aim and "Starling evictions". One or two shots and Starlings will be watching you as much as you watch them. Unless you have a good place to hide in order to get a good shot the @#$%^* will see or hear you before you can get a shot. I have the excluder SREHs on my TRIOs and have never had a Starling get in. I built a repeating nest trap with round holes and installed it on the side of a shed approx. fifty feet from the TRIOs. After a few frustrating attempts to get into the TRIOs the #$%^&* often take their last flight to the round hole NT. The NT has been my most effective Starling control but I also keep my second amendment rights "backup" handy to insure house and home security for my resident Martins. Good aim and straight shooting is also very effective.