Reminder: Watch for Trapped Martins in Troyer Gourds

[Kenneth Hicks]

I just wanted to remind each of us to be aware of martins getting trapped in the tunnel of the Troyer horizontal gourd. I noticed a martin yesterday that was trapped. I managed to release her but upon inspection this morning found her to be dead inside the gourd I had placed her in. I think a number of factors contributed to her demise. A few days without food because of the weather, the struggle of trying to break free, and damage to her right wing all were factors.

I know the purple martin landlords that post on here are very attentive to their colony and potential hazards. I just wanted to remind us of this particular one.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Kenneth:

A timely post with all the fighting that will be going on for compartment space by our returning martins. For those with older Troyer tunneled gourds, I want to again share and show what I did to help illiminate wing entrapment on these gourds. I removed the tunnel portion and with a jig saw cut out the second entrance. Once this is cut out, it is basically a straight shot for the martins from the front entrance to the nesting area. Here is a picture of what it looks like, with the tunnel off, after I cut out the second entrance. After cutting away the second entrance, I just re-attached the tunnel.



To further diminish the chance of wing entrapment on my Troyer gourds, I placed weatherseal tape on the inside of the entrance hole. My THG's are equipped with the Conley entrance. Here is a picture after I placed the tape on the inside.



Tim

[Carlton]

Good posting Tim. Thanks.

I also cut mine out last season and will apply the tape on the inside this year.

[Kenneth Hicks]

Thanks Tim for the info and the pictures. I may alter the ones I have or do it during the off-season. I am going to order some more of the horizontal gourds from Andy. It is my understanding the new ones have been modified to eliminate the wing entrapment risk.

[KathyF]

Kenneth, I ordered 24 more from him this year and yes, they've already been modified.

Tim, thanks for the picture of the gourd from the inside with the weather stripping. I was curious how that was done! As always, you're on top of things! I must have a lot of testosterone in me - I NEED pictures!!!

[Doug Martin - PA]

Thank you for the post. Ken

Tim, great shot of the modification. I just bought a new rack and 8 THG with the Conley tunnel porch same as you have.

The outer lip is still on the gourd but they do have a rubber walkway.

Now I can see I just cut the lip off. I was not sure prior to this so i appreciate you post. Very timely for me.

What did you use to cut it off?

Doug

[geezer]

I try to face all of my gourds toward me so I can view the opening.

However, there are 12 gourds (out of 38 total) that face the pond, and make it very difficult to keep an eye on them.

Unfortunately, I may lose 3-4 PM's to wing entrapment due to the inability to see all of the openings. Next year will attempt to make some modifications to reduce risk.

geezer

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Kathy:
Surely you are not saying we men need pictures to do anything and everything! The picture with the weatherseal tape is from one of my spare gourds. It became a spare gourd because I did not do a very good job with cutting and placing the tape on the sides of the opening. I try not to have any exposed edges when I have completed each opening.

Doug:
I plugged in my jig saw and started cutting the second entrance. Only takes a couple of seconds to make the cut.

Tim

[Scott D.- La]

On a side note....... the entrapment caught by Susan H. in Florida, had weather stripping installed so..... don't rely on it stopping 100% of entrapments and pay close attention. My Aluminum guards have been 100% effective thus far in stopping entrapments, hang ups, close calls of any kind and are NOT hard to make. Not to say mine are 100% effective, still to soon for me to call it however, it is looking positive at this point. The point is...... pay close attention regardless, if you don't have any type of guard, pay extra attention. Wanted to kick that into the pot this morning, for it will be a common occurence without guards in place as the season progresses.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Scott:

You are correct about Susan in Florida expriencing a case of wing entrapment with the weatherseal tape. However, she did not place any tape on the sides of the opening which is where the entrapment took place. I feel modifying the sides is just as important and placing the tape along the top.

Tim

[Davlyn]

Hey Tim , I have placed the tape on the inside bottom but not on the sides are top . How does that work , is it for their nails to grip ? I wonder how hard it would be to add now , has any one added it after their up ? Thank's April

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Hi April:

You bring up a good point. I have never had a case of wing entrapment, nor read of a case, where the martin was trapped on the bottom edge. I supose there is a possibility it could happen but not as likely.

If you are trying to help prevent wing entrapment, I would concentrate on the top and side edges.

Tim

[Davlyn]

Hey Tim , Thank's , I am going to start adding the strips after work today . Every little bit we do help's .

April