STYRAFOAM NEST BOWLS

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barry resvick
Posts: 185
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:07 pm
Location: Alberta/Didsbury
Martin Colony History: 2010 we had just one sy male all summer
2011 we had the same male come back but eventually brought home a female and had five eggs but were infertile
2012 we had our first two chicks but lost them
2013 we fledged six and had two pair
2014 we fledged 13 from four pairs
2015 we fledged 24 from 6 pairs

Hi Folks!
Im trying to figure out how to make styrafoam nest bowls.I know there must be an easier way to dish them out then im using.If anyone has any good ideas,please clue me in.
2010______2 visitors
2011______1asy male 3 visitors
2012______1 pair,possibly2(5 infertile eggs)
2013______2 pair,5infertile eggs,4hatched,0 fledged
2014______3 pair,Fledged 13
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Peter Alberda
Posts: 175
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:09 pm
Location: Michigan, Zeeland
Martin Colony History: Started with Amish copy of Trendsetter 12 room house, added Trio Grandpa with expanded rooms, and North Star 8. Taking Trendsetter down this spring and adding gourd rack.

I use my propane torch. Just hold it to the foam for a second or so in the area you want the depression. There's nothing to it that way and it looks great. Pete
2020 - A pair of SY birds with three nice chicks. Lots of visitors all year long.
2015-2019 - A few lookers.
2014 - ASY male and SY female fledged four chicks.
2013 - Several visitors but none stayed to nest.
2012 - Lots of visitors all season long. We had a pair of sys but no chicks survived.
2011 - New location - A few visitors
2010 - First year – Poor house location.
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DAVE
Posts: 288
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 10:03 am
Location: Winchester, VA

When you are using a torch on Styrofoam make sure you are outside. For Styrofoam puts off a toxic gas. That's why the fire department ask that you don't use it in homes.
Dave
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bwenger
Posts: 1057
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2005 7:24 pm
Location: Pennsylvania/Espyville/Pymatuning Reservoir Area
Martin Colony History: Taking care of 11 active public colonies and trying to start two more in northwestern PA. Also attempting to restart another one in southwestern PA, in Collier Township's Hilltop Park. In 2017, not sure what happened but the ASY male returned and then a couple of weeks later he was gone. It could have been weather related. No other birds showed up. I had a starling nesting at the Public site that I had trouble getting rid of.
In 2018, we fledged 629 martins at all of the sites.

I also hit the flat area with the torch and that will be by the entrance hole. This wrinkles the foam and in my opinion provides good footing for the parents as well as for the young.

Bill
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~Ray~Gingerich
Posts: 2122
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
Location: Delaware/Dover

All you need is a simple jig and a circular skill saw. Make a jig from 2ft sq piece of plywood, mark a circle larger than the base of saw then carefully cut it out with a sabre saw, cut a slot in the middle of the disc you cut out that’s long enough to let the blade of your circular saw protrude below the plywood, next securely fasten the circular saw base to the disc with blade exactly centered . Fit the disc of plywood with saw attached into the hole that was left when you cut the disc out…..that’s your cutting jig. To use it make a frame on another piece of plywood to tightly secure your cutting piece, position the cutting jig above it where you want the cut to be then fasten the square part of your cutting jig to the plywood below it that’s holding your material, then all you have to do is turn your saw on, lower the blade and slowly spin it around. As with all power equipment be careful.
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
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barry resvick
Posts: 185
Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:07 pm
Location: Alberta/Didsbury
Martin Colony History: 2010 we had just one sy male all summer
2011 we had the same male come back but eventually brought home a female and had five eggs but were infertile
2012 we had our first two chicks but lost them
2013 we fledged six and had two pair
2014 we fledged 13 from four pairs
2015 we fledged 24 from 6 pairs

Thanks so much for all the helpful info. :)
2010______2 visitors
2011______1asy male 3 visitors
2012______1 pair,possibly2(5 infertile eggs)
2013______2 pair,5infertile eggs,4hatched,0 fledged
2014______3 pair,Fledged 13
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