But with all the martin reports in MS, I've had to back off that, and I guess I'll go back to plinkin at them with the pellet gun.
Starling stew all around!
wearing the starlings OUT!
I've been tearing them up for the last 2 weeks with a rat trap in my alum. house. They just can't stand it, they have to stick their head in!
But with all the martin reports in MS, I've had to back off that, and I guess I'll go back to plinkin at them with the pellet gun.
Starling stew all around!
But with all the martin reports in MS, I've had to back off that, and I guess I'll go back to plinkin at them with the pellet gun.
Starling stew all around!
Tony
2007 --- 0 2011---0 2015---4
2008 --- 0 2012---0 16-19—0
2009 --- 0 2013---1 2020—?
2010 --- 0 2014---3
2007 --- 0 2011---0 2015---4
2008 --- 0 2012---0 16-19—0
2009 --- 0 2013---1 2020—?
2010 --- 0 2014---3
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Tony,
I will pass on the starling stew.
I am expecting you to get martins in droves any day now.
Mark.
I will pass on the starling stew.
I am expecting you to get martins in droves any day now.
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Why anyone would bring those ugly birds across an ocean with them is beyond me!
Set up my house and gourds last weekend and had first Martins arrive this weekend. They took to the gourds first this season. Monday after work I witness a big ugly breaching the Conley II on 2 of my 3 gourds. Had to search for the pellet gun and pellets for a while. Too late by that time. Starling gone for the evening, and one severely injured ASY unable to fly. Hope I can get home in time today interrupt his fun.
Set up my house and gourds last weekend and had first Martins arrive this weekend. They took to the gourds first this season. Monday after work I witness a big ugly breaching the Conley II on 2 of my 3 gourds. Had to search for the pellet gun and pellets for a while. Too late by that time. Starling gone for the evening, and one severely injured ASY unable to fly. Hope I can get home in time today interrupt his fun.
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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
The starlings and sparrows were bothering me, and I kept missing them. I finally re-sighted my pellet rifle, I practiced for a while, and that sure helped. I shot 2 male sparrows yesterday, didn't see any more the rest of the day, and have not missed since I re-sighted the pellet rifle. I like to see the feathers fly!
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Don Strickland
- Posts: 430
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 4:38 pm
- Location: Oklahoma/Shady Point
Starling Stew??
I've had freshly harvested Starlings and the cat's wouldn't even eat them. Must not be very tasty.
Don
I've had freshly harvested Starlings and the cat's wouldn't even eat them. Must not be very tasty.
Don
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klcretired
- Posts: 2174
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 3:06 am
- Location: Grand Prairie,Tx
Hi GobblerT,
along w/ Rat Traps In the past I have used Glue Traps, They work very well you can buy them ay=t most stores like walmart, Home depot, Lowes ,etc,etc
along w/ Rat Traps In the past I have used Glue Traps, They work very well you can buy them ay=t most stores like walmart, Home depot, Lowes ,etc,etc
Pictures Taken with Canon Rebel XT Digital using a Sigma 50-500 Long Lens.
Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,
K.C.
[email protected]
Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,
K.C.
[email protected]
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dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
I've had very good results with glue traps. I insert the trap in a HS nest and within minutes I will get one, sometimes both. I usually resort to glue traps if I'm having a tough time getting a clean shot with my pellet rifle. Using a glue trap in an active HS nest pretty much assures I won't get a martin by accident.
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
I want to share a caution about using glue traps, rat traps, etc, in martin compartments/gourds. Use a hole reducer to make sure a martin or bluebird cannot get in with a trap of either kind. Don't assume that because you placed it behind a house sparrow nest, a martin will not enter.
Here's my experience: I placed non-lethal traps (universal sparrow trap and one-fits-all trap) inside compartments where house sparrows had built nests. I pushed the traps all the way to the back, and replaced the house sparrow nest in front, with the little entry tunnel that they like.
I caught 3 martins. So the belief that leaving a hosp nest in the compartment means martins will not enter is not always true. If I'd had a rat or glue trap in those compartments, I could have killed or severely damaged martins.
Hole reducers are easy to make from lid of cottage cheese or sour cream container. Cut a 1-1/4 inch hole that will admit HOSP but not martins or bluebirds. Fasten this to outside door with masking tape (not duct tape, which leaves too much sticky residue when removed, could get into martins' feathers). Use hole reducers and check traps frequently. I was able to release all martins quickly, unharmed - and never put a trap in without a hole reducer again.
Here's my experience: I placed non-lethal traps (universal sparrow trap and one-fits-all trap) inside compartments where house sparrows had built nests. I pushed the traps all the way to the back, and replaced the house sparrow nest in front, with the little entry tunnel that they like.
I caught 3 martins. So the belief that leaving a hosp nest in the compartment means martins will not enter is not always true. If I'd had a rat or glue trap in those compartments, I could have killed or severely damaged martins.
Hole reducers are easy to make from lid of cottage cheese or sour cream container. Cut a 1-1/4 inch hole that will admit HOSP but not martins or bluebirds. Fasten this to outside door with masking tape (not duct tape, which leaves too much sticky residue when removed, could get into martins' feathers). Use hole reducers and check traps frequently. I was able to release all martins quickly, unharmed - and never put a trap in without a hole reducer again.
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klcretired
- Posts: 2174
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 3:06 am
- Location: Grand Prairie,Tx
Louise Thank you for that post, I should have added That I only use the traps Glue/Rat during the off season and urge everyone to do the same
Or use them only if they are sure that there are no Martins and Thank you for the Hole reducer Method.
Being a seasoned Martin Veteran and even tho we know what to do, Not everyone does, Its good to bring it to every ones attention so as not to Harm any Martins
Or use them only if they are sure that there are no Martins and Thank you for the Hole reducer Method.
Being a seasoned Martin Veteran and even tho we know what to do, Not everyone does, Its good to bring it to every ones attention so as not to Harm any Martins
Pictures Taken with Canon Rebel XT Digital using a Sigma 50-500 Long Lens.
Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,
K.C.
[email protected]
Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,
K.C.
[email protected]
Eureka !
A few years back I had an S&K that wasn't being used so I lowered it to 6' . Starlings immediately claimed it as their own and the martins wouldn't go near it . I caught 4 starlings in the same nest with a rat trap . Although the starlings aren't a problem this year due to my attack Mockingbird , I'm considering putting one of the round hole houses down low with a live trap to accommodate the S & S .
I have a repeating trap but I'm close to trashing it . I just can't seem to keep the Cardinals out of it and I've lost two females this year from "trap panic" .
A few years back I had an S&K that wasn't being used so I lowered it to 6' . Starlings immediately claimed it as their own and the martins wouldn't go near it . I caught 4 starlings in the same nest with a rat trap . Although the starlings aren't a problem this year due to my attack Mockingbird , I'm considering putting one of the round hole houses down low with a live trap to accommodate the S & S .
I have a repeating trap but I'm close to trashing it . I just can't seem to keep the Cardinals out of it and I've lost two females this year from "trap panic" .
2010: 5 pair - raptor attack .
2011 : nada .
2012 : 1 pair - 5 eggs / 5 fledged .
2013: zero
2014: Lots of visitors
2015 : several visitors . Seriously considering purchasing a drone to scare off raptors .
2011 : nada .
2012 : 1 pair - 5 eggs / 5 fledged .
2013: zero
2014: Lots of visitors
2015 : several visitors . Seriously considering purchasing a drone to scare off raptors .