I want to put nesting material in my house, cedar or pine shavings? Which is best or what is ok?
Charlie
Nesting material
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DornCounty
- Posts: 2169
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
- Location: Rural SE Kansas
- Martin Colony History: .
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Trio-Jedi
pine straw cut to 4" is what alot of folks recommend.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
Hello,..Charlie...
I use pine straw because it drys out better after it becomes
wet, I also use it in my other bird nests.
The blue birds love to use it as well.
I use pine straw because it drys out better after it becomes
wet, I also use it in my other bird nests.
The blue birds love to use it as well.
1990 -2009 trying
2010 1 pair 2young fledged.
2011 1 pair, & 1 SY male...6 young hatched 5 fledged.
2012 1 pair...4 young fledged.
2013... Back to starting over...
2010 1 pair 2young fledged.
2011 1 pair, & 1 SY male...6 young hatched 5 fledged.
2012 1 pair...4 young fledged.
2013... Back to starting over...
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Hey Charlie.
I have always used cedar shavings in the bottom of my gourds. Cedar because of the insect repellent properties. Then I top the cedar shavings with a 2 or 3 inch layer of pine needles or pine straw. These are not pine shavings. I bring the level of my base nests up to the entrance. It will settle during the nesting season and the Purple Martins will add their own favorite toppings. Around here they like live oak leaves.
If you have plenty of pine needles, you could use them exclusively. They really do work well because they are non-absorbent and will allow all moisture to drain away and the nest will become dry quickly. I've always used the cedar shavings as a filler to take up space because I didn't have a lot of pine needles. The shavings in the bottom are optional. Keep in mind that the shavings will soak up water and not dry as well as the pine needles. No need to cut pine needles unless they are extremely long and unruly. Make it easy on yourself.
Here's a picture of one of my nests this year:
I have always used cedar shavings in the bottom of my gourds. Cedar because of the insect repellent properties. Then I top the cedar shavings with a 2 or 3 inch layer of pine needles or pine straw. These are not pine shavings. I bring the level of my base nests up to the entrance. It will settle during the nesting season and the Purple Martins will add their own favorite toppings. Around here they like live oak leaves.
If you have plenty of pine needles, you could use them exclusively. They really do work well because they are non-absorbent and will allow all moisture to drain away and the nest will become dry quickly. I've always used the cedar shavings as a filler to take up space because I didn't have a lot of pine needles. The shavings in the bottom are optional. Keep in mind that the shavings will soak up water and not dry as well as the pine needles. No need to cut pine needles unless they are extremely long and unruly. Make it easy on yourself.
Here's a picture of one of my nests this year:
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Charlie Rogers
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:28 am
- Location: Tahlequah, OKla.
I appreciate the help, I don't have any pine needles, guess I can drive around town looking to see who hasn't mowed yet.
Charlie
Charlie
I am trying pine needles and pine needles topped off with wheat straw. The knock on wheat straw is it holds moisture. Will see how it turns out this year.
Here is link to a good landlord that uses only wheat straw.
http://chuckspurplemartinpage.com/
Here is link to a good landlord that uses only wheat straw.
http://chuckspurplemartinpage.com/
PMCA member
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!