interesting pattern with the BO-11

[dsonyay]

This is not scientific, merely an observation.

Last year was my first year using Bo-11 gourds. The year before I was using only Big-Bo gourds and attracted two pair (only one pair was successful)

Year two I added two Bo-11s and a Bo9 (the bo9 is on the bottom rack all alone till I get more gourds). The first pair chose the Bo-11. 2nd pair chose a BigBo.


This is year three and I moved the Bo-11 gourds around to see which the first returns would choose. A few days ago the first pair chose the Bo11. It's not in the same spot as last year. I think I have a third ASY male but not sure which one he's in.


I know they may have chosen the gourd for other reasons but they chose the biggest gourd out of them all.

If my first pair is the same pair as last year's first pair, I find it interesting they chose a Bo11 again even though it's in a different spot and oriented in a different direction.

I wish I could add a few different brand gourds but for now it is just the three types. Experimenting would be really fun if I could add another rack.

[JL Murray]

edit

[dsonyay]

Yes, the one they chose is also the clearest flight path of all, but last year the Bo11 gourd was chosen but not the clearest flight path. And then it may all just be "the good feeling" the female has regardless of anything else.

I've also read of people having old style houses with 6x6 rooms and the martins fill those in first over the gourds. I think they purposely do this to us.

[jr 2]

i had 4 bo11p gourds hanging under 2 trio houses last year;;seems like when the males first arrived before they paired up they were staying overnight in the bo11p and trying too get mates too nest in them but the females chose compartments [enlarged] in the trio houses;;had 7 pair nest in the houses but no nest in the 4 bo11p;;

[Tommie D]

David,
Just wondering if you are using any tunnel's on your BO-11's and which entrance you are using.

Tom

[dsonyay]

Tommy-
I'm using tunnels with all of my gourds- Bo 11 - Bo 9 - and Big Bo gourds. I use the crescent entrances for all. They have no problems going in and out. There are wing protectors inside all entrances as well. I have not had wing entrapment issues yet.. but my colony is only a couple pairs for now.

I'm adding more Bo9 gourds with cooling/vent caps , and tunnels for each gourd.