I have two traditional houses with six larger compartments each and one gourd rack with 12 gourds. We had 19 pair last year.
I have two males consistently hanging out and I have seen maybe 3 more martins flying around. Neither male seems to be hanging consistently at the same compartment. I have only opened a couple compartments on each house and maybe 4 of the gourds as we have a really BAD sparrow problem. My husband has taken out most of the starlings and as many sparrows as he can. It is a daily battle.
My question is: DO I need to open ALL compartments so that the birds that have arrived can go in the compartment they want or do you recommend only keeping a portion open until I see more martins?
how many doors to open
-
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
Sparrows are a real pain, and the martins are coming in fast. We have over 50 martins now. I doubt that it matters much whether you open some more cavities, the sparrows will be there when you do open everything.
I have had good luck trapping them, and then I shoot some sparrows & starlings. Usually about the time that nesting is starting, I seldom see a sparrow or starling. I keep battling them, they fly away as soon as I open the curtain from our house shooting window. I have 3 traps in different places away from the martin housing.
I have had good luck trapping them, and then I shoot some sparrows & starlings. Usually about the time that nesting is starting, I seldom see a sparrow or starling. I keep battling them, they fly away as soon as I open the curtain from our house shooting window. I have 3 traps in different places away from the martin housing.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps