This is my first post

[JudyAV]

Hello! My name is Judy and I live in Eastern NC, near New Bern. I've had my houses up for 3 years now. A total of 18 rooms. The first year I only had 2 pair, last year every room had a nest!! I was so excited. My husband and I were over the road truck drivers and stayed gone for weeks at a time so I wasn't able to monitor my houses like I wanted. We are off the road now so I will be taking notes and monitoring my nests this year.
This morning I went out and from what I could count, I have 6 pairs in one house and 2 pairs in the other.
My question is this, my housing needs replacing and I have ordered 2 new houses, and 8 gourds, and another pole. I have 2 poles up, one house on each. I would like to hang the gourds on one of the existing poles this year to get them used to it. Is it too late to do that now?

[Greg]

Welcome to the forum, and "hello" from a fellow North Carolinian!

In my opinion, it is fine to add additional housing during the season, but do not change or eliminate house once martins have arrived.

For example, I would say it is OK to add another entire system (another pole and housing), or hang some gourds under a house.

But do NOT take down the old housing or switch out the old houses for the new houses. Save that for the "off-season."

In the past, during martin season I have added gourds under a houses or added additional gourds to a rack, and new pairs will quickly accept them.

Best of luck and keep us updated!

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Glad to see you post!

No, its never too late to add gourds to existing housing. Also, you could put up the new houses whenever you wish. If they have nests built in the old houses, then I would leave them up this year and switch to the new houses next year.

I am happy that you had such great success without fighting sparrows & starlings. Wishing you more great luck, but hope that you have snake guards up

[JudyAV]

I've been very lucky as far as predators, but this year I will be putting up snake guards and also feeding trays for egg shells (which I've been saving). I don't have nearly as many Starlings or Sparrows as others have, but I did have to remove a few nests last year. So far a pellet gun seems to keep them at bay. Thank you so much for the information about the new housing. I knew I could get my questions answered here

[chickadee]

put up the gourds. they will love them. and except the change because they will know you done it.

[Courtney-NC]

Welcome, Judy! And hello from another NC forum user!
Keep us posted on your progress this year!

[Joez]

Hello! From Jacksonville!

[Mike1624]

Welcome from Burgaw, NC. We're about to fill up (2 twelve compartment Lonestar houses) I think that when the subbies show up that we should be full. Good luck with your additions. That was good advice not to remove anything until the off-season.

[Gobbler T]

Welcome, Sounds like you have had great success so far. Keep up the good work and enjoy.

[dhjohnson]

Hi Judy,
Welcome from yet another North Carolina Martin Hostess! Sounds like you are way above average so far. That's great! I agree with others advice, it's fine to add new housing but don't remove the old housing, especially if you already have pairs occupying the old housing! You can safely remove what ever you want after this years nesting season. Again...Welcome!
Best wishes for a successful year!
Debbie

[DebA]

Judy,
Hello from Kansas! Wow what a great jump in numbers year two! It's great you will be home to enjoy them this season. Other questions do come to mind, for all of us, throughout the season so ask away. Welcome to the forum!
Deb