Today is Sevin Day

[Guest]

I'll sprinkle about a 1/2 to 3/4's of a teaspoon in each gourd this afternoon.I put it directly on the pine needles and then shake the gourd to settle it in.

I do this about this time every year and have only had to treat a rack the second time once in 6 years and the infestation was only on 3 gourds but I did the whole rack to be safe.I had babies at the time and only put it in the tunnels.I suppose the babies walked thru it and tracked it into the nest but thats how I do it anyway.

My birds will start arriving here anytime after the 1st of Feb maybe sooner now that my colony is getting more established.I'm starting year 7.

dick

[Peggy Riley]

Dick, I just finished off a bottle of liquid Sevin I bought 10 years
ago! I rarely have to retreat during the season.

[Guest]

Was that Sevin Crown,,,,,,,,,smile


dick

[Louise Chambers]

I will stick with Purple Mart-inis, hee, Sevin Crown is good, Dick

[Peggy Riley]

Ha! You guys are quick today!

I've never been interested in martini's but a Purple
Mart-ini might be just the thing!

[Louise Chambers]

Or, since we're in Texas, maybe you and I should try Purple Mart-aritas? Could use pom juice, I'm sure they'd be tasty.

[apundt-TX]

From my calendar it looks like the "eighth" day to me.

[Roymg]

I never have started a nest for my birds. I always thought that if a nest was there when they arrived they would think another bird had residence.

[Laverne]

Hey Roy.

I was browsing the Forum today and found your post. I, along with about "1,000" other Purple Martin landlords have been adding nesting material to our colonies' cavities for a long time. The birds are never confused about previous ownership or residence by another pair. That's something that Purple Martins communicate to each other very clearly. No need for you to worry your mind with such things.

My housing consists of 80 plastic gourds and I believe these gourds need to be filled to a certain level every year. When my first birds return each year they find a cavity with nesting material already in it which provides them with a warm dry bed for the cold nights. If your housing is a wooden or metal house with shallow cavities then maybe just a handful of straw, pine needles, or dried grass clippings would be sufficient. When the birds begin their actual nesting process they bring in things to top off the nest and rearrange the base material I put in to create a nest cup where they lay their eggs.

Enjoy your season. Best wishes for a successful year.

Sincerely,
Laverne

[Joseph]

How many sprays of liquid sevin do you put per cavity?

[Peggy Riley]

I spray the empty space til it drains out of the drain
holes. After it dries I add the nesting material. I spray the inside roof and
the inside of the gourd necks too.

If I have to treat during the season I put the spray nozzle under the nest and spray just a little. That way the top nest material never really gets wet.

Peggy

[D'Nese]

Roy,

I agree with Laverne, having a nice bed of pine needles or what ever is sure nice after a long trip back. They do add to what we put inside of the cavities and it's like redecorating when you've moved into a new house. Our guys arrive when the nights and occasionally days are still cold and i'm sure the bedding helps them to conserve some body heat.

How many pairs have you hosted so far? I didn't see it in your profile.

[Roymg]

Hey Roy.

I was browsing the Forum today and found your post. I, along with about "1,000" other Purple Martin landlords have been adding nesting material to our colonies' cavities for a long time. The birds are never confused about previous ownership or residence by another pair. That's something that Purple Martins communicate to each other very clearly. No need for you to worry your mind with such things.

My housing consists of 80 plastic gourds and I believe these gourds need to be filled to a certain level every year. When my first birds return each year they find a cavity with nesting material already in it which provides them with a warm dry bed for the cold nights. If your housing is a wooden or metal house with shallow cavities then maybe just a handful of straw, pine needles, or dried grass clippings would be sufficient. When the birds begin their actual nesting process they bring in things to top off the nest and rearrange the base material I put in to create a nest cup where they lay their eggs.

Enjoy your season. Best wishes for a successful year.

Sincerely,
Laverne

Laverne,

Thanks for the explanation. I have noticed that all the yrs I've fooled with these birds that they use a nest of sticks and mud. Going by what you say I've got some nice moss that I inserted in my trees so I think I'll put some of this stuff in a few rooms for those that arive early. I've also noticed that the crane flies are now out, which seems a bit early, so to me that means the Martins will be ariving early this year.

[Roymg]

Roy,

I agree with Laverne, having a nice bed of pine needles or what ever is sure nice after a long trip back. They do add to what we put inside of the cavities and it's like redecorating when you've moved into a new house. Our guys arrive when the nights and occasionally days are still cold and i'm sure the bedding helps them to conserve some body heat.

How many pairs have you hosted so far? I didn't see it in your profile.

I'm not sure about that. I've never gotten that detail with my birds. I've had colonies since 1979. Last year I had about 8 pair, the most ever. I have a plastic house with 12 rooms.

Royg[/quote]

[D'Nese]

Thanks Roy, just curious about your success. Hope you have a few more this year.....