As RC and you discuss the challenges of marksmanship, I am following your discussion.
I am also curious if you have been able to change the round holes to SREHs.
After I made the change to SREHs, the starlings do not seem to take any interest in my house.
Obviously they have not gone away because I see them everywhere. But none of them bother my martin house.
If you have made the change to SREHs, then which type did you choose?
If so, have SREHs stopped the starlings?
Just trying to learn.
Mark.
Nest destruction.
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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.
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.
Mark. I did get the crescent doors. Just came in Sat. I don't know what to do just yet. Haven't seen any more starlings. Dropped the house down Fri. afternoon and to my surprise the nests have been rebuilt with two more added. Now total of five nests. I didn't see that many pairs. Would a pair build more than one nest? These birds have made crescent holes from round holes. Bottom half of circle is mud/sticks/grass. I don't know if I should disturb this. I do have a new problem as of today. See new thread.
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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.
Mr. K,
I read about your dead bird on the porch today.
I do not have an answer for that situation or problem.
As far as the problem of starlings breeching your round holes. I am so happy that you have martins again at your site.
You received the crescent SREHs yesterday. I believe that you have been given advise as to the immediate need and wisdom of changing out the round entrances to SREH by landlords whose advise I greatly respect and have been instrumental in giving me advise that has helped my colony.
We all know that there are super colony landlords who have successful colonies with round holes. I admire their ability to control starlings in a starling endemic area like Louisiana. How they are able to accomplish this is beyond my capabilities and understanding. Bravo Zulu to them.
I am concerned that you will be reporting to us that your colony has been raided by starlings again.
I would not put up another house until the safety of your current martins is determined.
I guess I worry too much about a colony in an starling endemic area without SREHs.
I am prepared for the lashing that pro-round hole landlords are going to give me.
Mark.
Addendum: I used to be one of the round hole landlords. I will also point out that 4 generations of my family have been round hole landlords since at least 1900. My sister and I have broken from 110 years of tradition out of necessity.
I read about your dead bird on the porch today.
I do not have an answer for that situation or problem.
As far as the problem of starlings breeching your round holes. I am so happy that you have martins again at your site.
You received the crescent SREHs yesterday. I believe that you have been given advise as to the immediate need and wisdom of changing out the round entrances to SREH by landlords whose advise I greatly respect and have been instrumental in giving me advise that has helped my colony.
We all know that there are super colony landlords who have successful colonies with round holes. I admire their ability to control starlings in a starling endemic area like Louisiana. How they are able to accomplish this is beyond my capabilities and understanding. Bravo Zulu to them.
I am concerned that you will be reporting to us that your colony has been raided by starlings again.
I would not put up another house until the safety of your current martins is determined.
I guess I worry too much about a colony in an starling endemic area without SREHs.
I am prepared for the lashing that pro-round hole landlords are going to give me.
Mark.
Addendum: I used to be one of the round hole landlords. I will also point out that 4 generations of my family have been round hole landlords since at least 1900. My sister and I have broken from 110 years of tradition out of necessity.
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.