so, we noticed a tree swallow hanging out on the perch for hours off and on this morning. Then he takes off and he returns with a Mrs. and she flies right into a gourd and he again begins to hang out. At this point we have not even seen a purple martin here in West Virginia, do I let this swallow pair continue on? I have a six gourd starter set and well they have already done the deed, (aka mated, we watched...lol)
What are your thoughts? I do feel good in that they are not afraid of my set up or surroundings, so that should be promising for the martins no?
thanks
Rob
new landlord, well attempting to be (tree swallow)
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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.
Rob,
Most people refer to this resource.
http://www.drugfreeworkplace.com/~Dan/T ... GENCY.html
It seems like it is the wrong link because of the title but it is correct.
Mark.
Most people refer to this resource.
http://www.drugfreeworkplace.com/~Dan/T ... GENCY.html
It seems like it is the wrong link because of the title but it is correct.
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.
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Probably best to relocate their gourd of choice to a shepherd's hook right next to gourd rack, then gradually move it about 25 ft away. It will need a pole guard, too, to protect against raccoons, snakes. Read the link in post above that gives detailed info.
You would not be happy if you let them stay in present location, and then had martins show up just in time to get run off by the tree swallows.
You would not be happy if you let them stay in present location, and then had martins show up just in time to get run off by the tree swallows.
I have had good luck with blanks shotgun shells and banging the poles they were on with my hands I never kill but scare them off
2015 69 pairs 418 eggs 396 fledged
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged
2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged
2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
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Phil Crutchfield
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:10 am
- Location: WV/Berkeley Springs
Rob
I have been looking for someone in WV. to compare notes with. I am glad you joined. I have a T-14 and no luck yet either. I live in Berkeley Springs WV. Last year I had two pairs of tree swallows move into the T-14. I let them stay and glad I did. But this year I put up separate blue bird houses and blocked the T-14 with painters tape for about 4 weeks. The tree swallows moved right in, along with the bluebirds about 75 feet away in a separate house. I opened the top 4 holes in the T-14 and left the others closed. A lot of activity in the separate houses, nothing in the T-14. Good luck and keep everyone posted if any martins show up.
I have been looking for someone in WV. to compare notes with. I am glad you joined. I have a T-14 and no luck yet either. I live in Berkeley Springs WV. Last year I had two pairs of tree swallows move into the T-14. I let them stay and glad I did. But this year I put up separate blue bird houses and blocked the T-14 with painters tape for about 4 weeks. The tree swallows moved right in, along with the bluebirds about 75 feet away in a separate house. I opened the top 4 holes in the T-14 and left the others closed. A lot of activity in the separate houses, nothing in the T-14. Good luck and keep everyone posted if any martins show up.
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DakotaLady
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:06 pm
- Location: Bismarck, ND
Last year I had a pair of tree swallows that were very persistent about living in a gourd on my martin rack. I was trapping sparrows and the female swallow went into the gourd that had my sparrow trap. When I let her out she decided to use one of the wooden houses I had up for them as I think she was a little rattled from being trapped in the gourd. I absolutely love my gourd traps...so very easy to get rid of pests.
Good luck with your tree swallows. I hope you get them moved before you PM's come back.
Good luck with your tree swallows. I hope you get them moved before you PM's come back.
~Tangula~
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
2013 - 16 pair, 79 eggs, 71 fledged
2012 - 4 pair, 18 eggs, 18 fledged
Rob and Phil, I am in WV also. It is very difficult to attract martins to our state --- maybe not flat enough, maybe not enough bugs, maybe not enough standing water. Rob, keep your pm housing closed and don't let the tree swallows nest there. Supply them with other housing because they won't let martins near them. They don't nest together like martins, so one pair will defend the entire T-14. Also, try putting mud around the entrances to the T-14 and put gourds up, hanging underneath the T-14. Also, don't forget the dawn song. It took all of that, and after my 17th year of trying, we now have a martin colony.
Good luck.
Sue P
Good luck.
Sue P
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latenightrob
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 3:07 pm
- Location: WV Moorefield
Thanks for all the replies. So far I have not done a thing, just watching the swallows.
I did notice that our bluebirds have been perched next to the TS above the gourds and the TS didn't seem to care, is that b/c there are no eggs yet?
I don't have a shepherds hook at the moment but when I get one how far should I put the gourd from the pole and is there a chance the TS couple will abandon it b/c it won't be as high? I assume at the same time I will close off the rest of the gourds.
Phil, I have a started 6 gourd set up with a 14' square pole that I got from purplemartinsRus. we don't have any water but our neighbors have a decent stream about 100 yards from our pole. We are located about 1hr SW of Winchester in the mountains outside of Moorefield.
Again thanks for the info, this site is great!
I did notice that our bluebirds have been perched next to the TS above the gourds and the TS didn't seem to care, is that b/c there are no eggs yet?
I don't have a shepherds hook at the moment but when I get one how far should I put the gourd from the pole and is there a chance the TS couple will abandon it b/c it won't be as high? I assume at the same time I will close off the rest of the gourds.
Phil, I have a started 6 gourd set up with a 14' square pole that I got from purplemartinsRus. we don't have any water but our neighbors have a decent stream about 100 yards from our pole. We are located about 1hr SW of Winchester in the mountains outside of Moorefield.
Again thanks for the info, this site is great!
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Phil Crutchfield
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:10 am
- Location: WV/Berkeley Springs
Keep in touch and as you can see, everyone here in the forum will help you with what ever pops up.