Hey all,
My Excluder II gourds arrived the other day. Am frantically trying to get the gourd rack and house back up with all these sightings in Texas.
If there are problems with wing entrapment in the Excluder II entrances, could someone let me know and, if so, how they solved this? Might as well take care of it before the gourds go up.
Thanks,
Jean
exlcuder II wing entrapment problems?
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Connie Roman ~ NJ
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 12:42 pm
- Location: Pennington/New Jersey
- Martin Colony History: Attracted my first pair in 2006.
I now have 5 gourd racks, offer 66 Gourds, and average 50 pair a year.
Jean,
I have 36 of the Excluder gourds; 32 have the Excluder II entrances and 4 have the crescent entrances. I didn’t have a problem the first couple of years I used these gourds but as a precaution I purchased the wing entrapment protectors the PMCA sells. I also drilled new holes and raised the height of the porches; it makes it a little easier for the Martins to use the entrances and makes it even more difficult for the starlings to use. (I’ve never had a starling get in my Excluder gourds, crescent or Excluder II entrances.)
Make sure you smooth the entrances with sand paper, makes a huge difference.
You will love these gourds!
Connie
I have 36 of the Excluder gourds; 32 have the Excluder II entrances and 4 have the crescent entrances. I didn’t have a problem the first couple of years I used these gourds but as a precaution I purchased the wing entrapment protectors the PMCA sells. I also drilled new holes and raised the height of the porches; it makes it a little easier for the Martins to use the entrances and makes it even more difficult for the starlings to use. (I’ve never had a starling get in my Excluder gourds, crescent or Excluder II entrances.)
Make sure you smooth the entrances with sand paper, makes a huge difference.
You will love these gourds!
Connie
Thanks, Connie. What height did you put your porches at? I was thinking 1/4 in? Yea... I noticed how rough those edges are and plan on sanding them. I'll go look at the entrapment protectors. Thanks!
Jean
Jean
Jean
Harker Heights, TX
New landlord to a site that's been occupied for a few years.
Harker Heights, TX
New landlord to a site that's been occupied for a few years.
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Connie Roman ~ NJ
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 12:42 pm
- Location: Pennington/New Jersey
- Martin Colony History: Attracted my first pair in 2006.
I now have 5 gourd racks, offer 66 Gourds, and average 50 pair a year.
Jean,
¼ inch should work. I tried getting the porches almost flush with the bottom of the entrances. It’s also important to fill the gourds with pine needles (nesting material) to the fill line. I also have plastic canvas flooring in the gourds attached with pull ties. It keeps the nesting material from resting on the bottom of the gourd and helps keep it dry. It also helps hold the nesting material in place; the gourd interiors are so smooth
Connie
¼ inch should work. I tried getting the porches almost flush with the bottom of the entrances. It’s also important to fill the gourds with pine needles (nesting material) to the fill line. I also have plastic canvas flooring in the gourds attached with pull ties. It keeps the nesting material from resting on the bottom of the gourd and helps keep it dry. It also helps hold the nesting material in place; the gourd interiors are so smooth
Connie
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Jean,
These are great gourds. I have not experienced any wing entrapments yet.
They are a little small... refer to previous posts on checking SREH for accuracy. Use a gauge to check them.
Yes move the porch up too. 1/4 is good. Pleny of pine straw too.
Doug
These are great gourds. I have not experienced any wing entrapments yet.
They are a little small... refer to previous posts on checking SREH for accuracy. Use a gauge to check them.
Yes move the porch up too. 1/4 is good. Pleny of pine straw too.
Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
Thanks, Doug. I'll go look for it. Funny you said that because I thought they looked SO tiny, but they are the same as the entrances that Sandy makes. I ordered the plates for a house the Middle School is building.
I'll go look for the post.
Thanks again,
Jean
I'll go look for the post.
Thanks again,
Jean
Jean
Harker Heights, TX
New landlord to a site that's been occupied for a few years.
Harker Heights, TX
New landlord to a site that's been occupied for a few years.
Found the post by John and thought I'd put the link here in case someone else is following this thread:
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 375#163375
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 375#163375
Jean
Harker Heights, TX
New landlord to a site that's been occupied for a few years.
Harker Heights, TX
New landlord to a site that's been occupied for a few years.
-
Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
Sandy's are right on the money!
The gourds need opened slightly however.
The gourds need opened slightly however.
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
I just checked them again. They are exactly the same size as Sandy's and I made a gauge according to this post by you:
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 503#183503
I checked my gauge like ten times and my measurements are right on the money, but the holes seem a smidgeon too large using it. At least I know they are too small.
Since you say Sandy's are right on, that's what I'll use as my gauge because the gourd holes match his plates exactly.
Thanks for everything!
Jean
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 503#183503
I checked my gauge like ten times and my measurements are right on the money, but the holes seem a smidgeon too large using it. At least I know they are too small.
Since you say Sandy's are right on, that's what I'll use as my gauge because the gourd holes match his plates exactly.
Thanks for everything!
Jean
Jean
Harker Heights, TX
New landlord to a site that's been occupied for a few years.
Harker Heights, TX
New landlord to a site that's been occupied for a few years.