This has not happened to me at all (yet) but Im worried about it because these entrances are very different in shape to the SREH entrance shapes I presently have.
I have just recieved 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds with Conley II entrances and put up 2 of them for any Subbies still in the area. Has anyone ever heard of Martins getting stuck in the gourd behind Conley II entrances especially if these are new entrances at your site?
The Troyers are excellent (has everything) but those SREH entrance type makes me nervious
Can Martins get stuck in gourd behind a Conley II entrance?
2008~(1st yr) 4 pairs, 11 to 12 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
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glmcvickers
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:15 pm
- Location: Hohenwald/Tennessee
I added four more this year to the six I had last year and have not had any trouble with anything getting stuck...including some Starlings who took over one of them.
Highland Rim Purple Martin's rock!!!!
2014 - 52 cavities, 44 pair, 175 E's
2014 - 52 cavities, 44 pair, 175 E's
wow... thats bad news.. I bought these Troyers from PMCA. I wonder why these entrance types would be sold through them with this problem.(?) .. I think I have read other posts that mention the same thing.
The Horizontal gourd, porches and design is great tho. Troyer's hanging gourds look even better but the Conley entrance, not sure what to think about that yet.
The Horizontal gourd, porches and design is great tho. Troyer's hanging gourds look even better but the Conley entrance, not sure what to think about that yet.
2008~(1st yr) 4 pairs, 11 to 12 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
My opinion is that most entrances work fairly good, but none are completely starling proof. A small starling may be able to get into any entrance.
A starling usually enters an sreh (when they can enter) by climbing thru a little bit like a man climbing thru a barbwire fence. They put one leg inside, then they tilt their body, and then they pull in the other leg.
Some things that help make them more starling resistant:
1)raise the porch until its nearly flush. They have trouble squatting low.
2)use a slick porch, the starlings cannot push their way in if the porch is slick, they cannot get pushing traction
3)thicken the entrance (make it about 1in thick), this makes it harder for the starling to turn sideways, as tilting their body does not help
4)make the tunnel about 2.3 inches wide so that the starling has more trouble turning sideways
5)there are some entrances that are nearly starling proof, but its very hard for a martin to learn to use these. They zip right in after they learn to use them. You may try some of them. A commercial entrance that is nearly starling proof is the dually, and there are some homemade versions floating around that are very good.
I have a few conley entrances on the Troyer horizontal entrances, but have not had a problem with anything sticking
A starling usually enters an sreh (when they can enter) by climbing thru a little bit like a man climbing thru a barbwire fence. They put one leg inside, then they tilt their body, and then they pull in the other leg.
Some things that help make them more starling resistant:
1)raise the porch until its nearly flush. They have trouble squatting low.
2)use a slick porch, the starlings cannot push their way in if the porch is slick, they cannot get pushing traction
3)thicken the entrance (make it about 1in thick), this makes it harder for the starling to turn sideways, as tilting their body does not help
4)make the tunnel about 2.3 inches wide so that the starling has more trouble turning sideways
5)there are some entrances that are nearly starling proof, but its very hard for a martin to learn to use these. They zip right in after they learn to use them. You may try some of them. A commercial entrance that is nearly starling proof is the dually, and there are some homemade versions floating around that are very good.
I have a few conley entrances on the Troyer horizontal entrances, but have not had a problem with anything sticking
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Thank you for the response Emil. Gosh, it seems like the porches are pretty factory flush and I have not seen but one Starling hanging around in the past.
I was more concerned that a Martin would get stuck not being able to get out and be stuck in there for a couple days since I do not live at this site I look after.
I have read some of your other replies that are very comprehensive. I wanted to take some photos of the way I connected my Troyer Horizontals to a cross bar and ask you if you know of a better way I could construct a bracket that would hold them more firmly in place later if thats ok. (?)
It seems you would probably know from reading your other informative posts noting your building skills.
I was more concerned that a Martin would get stuck not being able to get out and be stuck in there for a couple days since I do not live at this site I look after.
I have read some of your other replies that are very comprehensive. I wanted to take some photos of the way I connected my Troyer Horizontals to a cross bar and ask you if you know of a better way I could construct a bracket that would hold them more firmly in place later if thats ok. (?)
It seems you would probably know from reading your other informative posts noting your building skills.
2008~(1st yr) 4 pairs, 11 to 12 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3789
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
The Troyer Horizontal is one of the most popular gourds sold. It doesn't matter what type of gourd you use there is a chance a martin could get stuck, trapped inside, wing entrapment etc. As was mentioned above SREH means starling resistant, not starling proof. They are quality gourds and you should not worry about using them.
2026 HOSP 28
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Matt, CUE sells a "no rocker clamps" that keep the Troyer Horiz from swinging, it may depend on the type of arms that you are using...You may check with them. I have heard that they really do keep the gourds from moving if you are using their gourd racks. Your gourd arms may be different.
I am greatly in favor of the gourds not swinging. This is expecially important if an owl ever pays a visit to your place.
I am greatly in favor of the gourds not swinging. This is expecially important if an owl ever pays a visit to your place.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Scott D.- La
- Posts: 823
- Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:35 am
- Location: Louisiana
The answer is............. a big yes! They can certainly get caught. You however, can make guards for them so you can have peace of mind. You can also fabricate a block of some sort and make the porch flush, folk's report success doing so for stopping Starlings.
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glmcvickers
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:15 pm
- Location: Hohenwald/Tennessee
Thanks for the advise on making more Starling resistant tunnels. I've raised the porches on the Excluder II gourds and that seems to work for those but the porches on the Troyers are already level so that wouldn't work there.
And for the advise on rocker clamps for the gourds. We've had a good bit of wind this spring and they do swing around.
And for the advise on rocker clamps for the gourds. We've had a good bit of wind this spring and they do swing around.
Highland Rim Purple Martin's rock!!!!
2014 - 52 cavities, 44 pair, 175 E's
2014 - 52 cavities, 44 pair, 175 E's
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
I agree with Scott. These tunnels are higher risk to entrapment.
Scott, in examinging some of these for mentees and colleagues I had a new thought on it. I used to think 3 inch tunnels generally were more safe because there's not much space at the sides of the SREH. These particular tunnels are only about 3.5 inches diameter, so should be fairly safe. But, the SREH opening is set low across the bottom of the tunnel, creating more space above and two fighting martins in there probably are more prone to a wing sliding across the upper surface then popping out and getting stuck. I'd not use these tunnels at a very busy colony where there's a lot of fighting, without some modification. The horizontal gourds, which I think are great, probably also magnify this risk by funneling fighting martins down to the entrance.
Problems can be solved. I hope Andy Troyer, who I think makes these, works on it and makes some kind of easy snap-in guard similar to what Scott does. I know he has a history of making changes regarding safety.
John M
Scott, in examinging some of these for mentees and colleagues I had a new thought on it. I used to think 3 inch tunnels generally were more safe because there's not much space at the sides of the SREH. These particular tunnels are only about 3.5 inches diameter, so should be fairly safe. But, the SREH opening is set low across the bottom of the tunnel, creating more space above and two fighting martins in there probably are more prone to a wing sliding across the upper surface then popping out and getting stuck. I'd not use these tunnels at a very busy colony where there's a lot of fighting, without some modification. The horizontal gourds, which I think are great, probably also magnify this risk by funneling fighting martins down to the entrance.
Problems can be solved. I hope Andy Troyer, who I think makes these, works on it and makes some kind of easy snap-in guard similar to what Scott does. I know he has a history of making changes regarding safety.
John M