Dwindling colony for a couple years (only 5 tried last year) so I decided to go with round holes in about two thirds of my gourds this year in hopes of attracting more pairs. As expected the scum beaks are trying to move in the round holes. Unfortunately, shooting them don't work because I live in a residential neighborhood. When they show up I winch my rack down and plug all the round holes for a day or so until the starlings revert to the trap cavity and down the hatch to the waiting cage. Six less to contend with this year so far. After a day or so I remove the plugs in anticipating the PMs will arrive.
Still no sighting of any PMs around the gourds with the crescent holes or otherwise. In the meantime the weather pattern has been sporadic with some warm tempature alternating with cold rain and snowy conditions. Hoping the pms will show up soon and imprint on both type holes am I defeating my purpose by alternating plugging and unplugging the round holes?
Greetings PMS, I would highly recommend the SREH entrances. I started using them in 2010 and it has made a significant difference in the growth of my colony. THEY KEEP THE STARLINGS OUT.... guaranteed. The only breach that I experienced was remedied by adding 1/8" of plexiglass to the existing porch, and that was only on ONE porch. The rest have done the job.
Not sure if anyone else has this same testimony, but I have NO problems with starlings.... they try, but it is futile.
You will not need to plug the SREH entrances to keep the starlings out!
Dennis
Persistence is not necessarily the key to success, but can be likened to the proverbial sand that brings forth a precious pearl.
I didn't think I had starling problem until I the second year of trying to attract purple martins. See, I had been unsuccessful in attracting martins the first year with a T-14 with all SREH. So I figured I would give the martins an option the second year with another house with round holes. What a mistake, more starlings than I knew what to do with. After a month of fighting with them, changed the round holes to SREH, and the problems were solved. Its that easy. A pair of ASY moved in that year and choose the original house with SREH.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
I didn't think I had starling problem until I the second year of trying to attract purple martins. See, I had been unsuccessful in attracting martins the first year with a T-14 with all SREH. So I figured I would give the martins an option the second year with another house with round holes. What a mistake, more starlings than I knew what to do with. After a month of fighting with them, changed the round holes to SREH, and the problems were solved. Its that easy. A pair of ASY moved in that year and choose the original house with SREH.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
i tryed attracting martins for several years with the round holes in my trio;i didn't no a lot about sparrows and starlings them;i switched too cresent and still had a problem with starlings getting in so i found out on here that the bottom of cresent was too high off of porch;;after adding small porches flush with bottom of cresent i have had no problem with starlings and this will be my third year of having martins when the weather clears and they show up;;sure have learned since being on the forum;;thanks too everyone for all the informative post and hope everyone has a good year;;jr2
PMCA member; s 2011 2 pair fledged 3; 2012 3 asy pair,4 sy pair,2013 8 asy pair,6 sy pair;2014 19 asy pair,2 sy pair
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.
Your problem is not lack of round holes. Stick with SREH. I suggest excluder II on everything. But others work well too.
Your problem appears to be overcoming your terrain. I viewed a satelite image of Basset and it appears you are in a very large generally forested area. This will be tough to overcome.
The best thing you can do is continue to clear as much open space around the site as possible. I think that is why you are not having as much success as others when it comes to building a colony.
Best of luck
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.
It is true my sight is less than ideal. When riding through the county side even just a few miles away I envy the sights with plenty of open fields nearby. Even with my borrowed sight across the highway from my house it took me a whole winter a few years ago to clear a pine thicket large enough to give 100+ feet away from the taller trees.
My intentions now will be to go back to SREH or the excluder openings. I plan, also, to ask neighbors if I can cut back some of the taller trees.
