How many gourds do I open

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JHeap
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2010 4:29 pm
Location: Texas/Waller

I have two established martin houses that are fairly occupied. This year I put up an additional 12 gourd rack. I have only opened 3 gourds to try to keep the sparrow activity under control. In two I laid nests and one I left open and empty. I just had a few new birds arrive and they are the first ones to check out the gourds. Interestingly, they seem to like the empty gourd. My question:

Should I open up all 12 gourds right now and just ask me husband to stay home from work to "control" the sparrows or should I slowly open them?

By the way, I have a GREAT husband. Last week he cut down the two huge palm trees by our pool because they had grown to close to my houses. Immediately, the birds were happier!
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CraigMo.
Posts: 1480
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:30 pm
Location: Missouri/Lone Jack
Martin Colony History: Active since 2003

I would slowly open them. If you got 2 pms interested then I would open 4 gourds. Good luck
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sjsmith
Posts: 66
Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2004 5:52 pm
Location: Texas, College Station

Agreed, open a few at a time. As the ones fill with pm's, then open a couple more. You will thank yourself later that you didn't have to fight so many darn sparrows!
Steve Smith
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