While I am getting ahead of myself, I have 5 pairs and have not seen any subbies yet. So if I want to expand to 18 gourds next year, would my gourd rack location support it, mindful that I have lost one so far.
View from the street of my subdivision looking north. Rack is 8 feet from deck, 30 feet from my house, 35 feet from trees on right which are on my neighbor's lot. Rack is 100 feet from street.
View from my property line looking back at my house.
View looking back at street from tree 75 feet from rack. Gourd on shepherd's hook is a "dummy" used for trapping.
View from the deck. Bradford pears in background are my neighbors( and a sparrow magnet ).
Thanks in advance for the advice. The forum and members have been invaluable for this novice.
I would probably see, if the 12 gourds fill up this year(or next), then add more in the same spot. If you don't see an increase after that, then those trees at 35' may be a problem for your colony.
You should add housing,as needed and the growth of the colony,(or lack thereof) will tell you how good the spot is.
Just my 2 cents worth, alot of people on the forum know alot more than me. But you do already have them, you provide excellent housing, you have owl and predator guards. I think the only thing that would stop colony growth at your site, would be tree encroachment.
Thanks Jeff. One thing I have going for me is that when Bradford Pears get that big that have a tendency to blow down/break at ground level. In fact 1 already has giving one clear flight path to the East which you cannot see in the photo. The reason for this tendency is that they graft Bradford Pears to Bartlett Pear root systems so that they grow really quickly but also making them inherently weak at the graft point. I found this out when one in my yard blew down and a different tree grew out from the stump.
I think before I would add more gourds I would put in another poll somewhere and possibly 30 yards if you can to the side of that one! as if moving it farther from the big tree. You say you lost 1, was that a pair of martins? also just as a suggestion I would get a few decoys on the rack if your existing martins will tolerate them! I've seen my decoys hit numerous time's by hawks! Good Luck to you!
My question was answered in reading your other posts!
Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..
I would consider myself very lucky to have martins with the trees surrounding you..I agree with Jeff, letting this rack fill-up and then adding more gourds or even better, expanding towards the street away from the tress as possible..good luck.
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
As Emil likes to say, "martins like to land like airplanes, not helicopters". Agree with others, the taller trees could be a problem with future growth.
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.
Bulldog, you are totally right about the Bradford Pear. I consider them "junk trees", not good for long term landscaping.
They are beautiful, but I can't stand the idea of a pear tree that will never produce a pear. I hope, for you and your colony, they all snap at the ground!
1 of my neighbors had a big tall tree beside of me and the dericho came through last year and cut half of top out of it and knocked dowm cable and power lines and missed my house about 10 ft ;the only good thing it opened up a nice flyway for the martins;;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
