Troyer Horizontal Gourd with 45 Degree Angle Turn

[DornCounty]

good stuff Tim.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Tim, I used an individual cage around the gourd that look a bit like yours. One day a martin got hung in it, but fortunately I noticed it in time to save him. When they fight on the porch, its easy for their wing to get caught in the wire. I tried 4 of them but quit using them because of that.

I think the turns in the gourd neck are much safer.

[Chuck4]

Hi Tim, I'm impressed with your creativity. Good work.

[KathyF]

Good point about martins fighting and getting caught in the individual gourd wire for each gourd, Emil.
My husband has recommended that we build a huge aviary protective dome and each night, after the martins enter their gourds / housing, we push a button and it comes down over the colony for the night. Put a timer on it and it will raise and release everyone in the mornings.
I think he's halfway serious.

[Louise Chambers]

The martins are fortunate that so many landlords are looking out for them, making improvements and trying to find better ways to keep them safe.

I hope you don't mind if I bring up some things to keep in mind, Tim - not limited to your longer tunnels but tunnels in general. There have been a couple of discussions on the forum about possible issue that landlords might want to be aware of. I will add some links, but to simplify what is in the links:

Tunnels can reduce ventilation, and when that is coupled with condensation inside plastic gourds, from warm days/cold nights, it can result in wet nests, especially as nestlings get older. So adding more ventilation is very important, and many landlords are adding two large elbows. Adding more drain holes could help too.

Second thing is POOP! Older nestlings frequently go to entrance, reverse position, and poop out the entrance hole. With tunnels, they may poop inside gourd at tunnel entrances, or inside the tunnel. The fecal material will build up and that + humidity can result in gunk that gets onto feathers and is almost like cement (we've seen this here in humid Corpus Christi) - really has to be washed off. This may not be limited to plastic gourds with tunnels but the threads mention it in that context. With shorter tunnels nestlings will go up to entrance hole to feed, with longer tunnels, they may not. So there are some things to watch for when trying new configurations. Martins are not simple birds to host Tim, I am using your thread for what should possibly be a new thread of its own but I think it's good to be alert for the issues of ventilation and nest sanitation/feather damage.

http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20730

http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17375

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Kathy:

I don't know of anyone who is more dedicated to protecting their martins than you are. If he is half way serious, push him a little bit.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Hi Louise:

I appreciate you taking the time to look for the old threads regarding tunnels and ventilation. In reading through both threads, one thing I immediately noticed was some of the names of posters we no longer hear from. I miss reading about the ideas Scott D use to bring to the forum. I believe your referral to these threads fits in with the topic at hand.

Although I did not do an actual measurement, I don't think I am adding that much length, if any, to the overall length of the tunnel. I am basically creating a 45 degree turn for potential added security for the martins. However, the views mentioned in those threads, both positive and negative, are points to be kept in mind. I have finished modifying my THG with the 45 degree turn and now it is just a matter of waiting to see if I have any returning and/or new martins at my site this season. For sure, if a pair does have a nest in this gourd, I will be watching for additional condensation and more than usual filth in the tunnel.

Tim

[Louise Chambers]

Scott was having health problems, sorry to say, so is no longer an active landlord.

I know you will be attentive to changes in nest conditions, hope others will pay attention too. It's not always a problem but it's helpful for folks to know it's a possibility. I wish I had more notes about the young martins here with the fecal cement on their feathers, and am glad it washes off pretty easily. It did not rinse off, I had to actively 'help' it off feathers with fingernails (ugh!) and took care not to scrub or abrade the feathers.

[Anthony Neira]

Even thou a landlord wants the " Chimney " affect to draw air out, I've seen where someone add SIDE vents to an angled tunnel neck even if the vents were more like 1950s TIGHT Jet fighter type intakes ( Sorry, I REALLY am DINO School !) in a land location where the wind was not strong . Just saying Good Luck Everyone!
P.S, the Vent was a small hole at the "turn" with a Smooth Sea Shell type of plastic cover over it, facing straight out, not up, or down.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Appreciate all the comments. With temps in the 50's yesterday, I was able to finish all modifications to putting the 45 degree turn in my THG. Placed traction tape on floor, caulked a few spots to prevent any toenails from being caught and drilled drainage hole in floor just inside entrance hole. My biggest concern was how level the gourd would sit after mounting it on my rack. With yesterday being a fairly windy day, I was happy to see there was no swinging of the gourd and it did sit horizontal on the rack. We will see what happens when my season starts. Plan on doing one or two more with this modification.

Tim

[4th Gen Martin Fan]

Tim,
I have been studying your prototype pictures and have one more question.
Did you use the full width of the thin wall PVC coupler or did you cut them in half?
I looked up the 3" thin wall PVC online and found that not all of the home improvement store you mentioned carry it in each stores. My local one did not carry it. Road trip in order.
Mark.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Mark:

You are very observant! I did cut the coupler to 3/4" width. For each coupler you purchase, you can cut them to 3/4" and end up with four couplers.

Like you, our Home Depot here in town did not stock the thin wall 3" PVC pipe. I had to make the 21 mile drive over to Lowes in Joplin, MO. If you do proceed with this be sure to get the couplers that fit the thin wall PVC as the ones for Sch. 40 are a different size, which you no doubt already know.

Regarding any of the modifications I do on my equipment or housing that I am asked about, it is only how I DO IT. You are only limited by your imagination and possibly can come up with a better way.

Tim

[tim414]

Kathy:

I think these are the pictures you are referring to. After I got it cut the way I wanted it, I attached it using a metal hose clamp. I recall putting a lot of pressure on it and it did not move. I am fairly certain IF an owl were to land on top of it, it would stay intact. I don't know how much time it would save you versus an entire cage around your pole but possibly after doing one the way you want it, you could use it as a pattern for the rest cutting way down on time. I still have this gourd with cage in my shed and plan on putting it on my housing this year just to see if it draws any interest. Possibly you will have time to do a few with the remaining month or so we have till winter fades away. Good luck.

Tim

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I like that mod Tim.

I wonder if I should try something like that at a new colony/site?

Thanks
Tim

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Tim:

That is a tough call and probably one that can only be answered by each individual wannabie landlord.

I did have hawk attacks my first year as a landlord but did not experience owl attacks until my third year when I had 36 pairs. It was after my first owl attack that I placed the cage around this individual gourd in an effort to keep an owl from reaching into the back of the gourd.

Personally, I would not do it till I had martins established at my site. Most new landlords do not attract that many nesting pairs their first year. I guess if you wanted, you could always form some kind of cage around your individual gourd and then take it off. If you do have a problem, they would be ready to quickly mount on the gourd (s).

Tim

[Louise Chambers]

I know many landlords who use single cages like this, or a bit larger, to protect martins from hawks (Dick Sherry of Tulsa, OK, particularly - his are larger, with space between cage and gourd).

Two things to keep in mind with smaller cages - the higher danger that a martin will get a wing caught during a porch scuffle with another martin; and, if an owl hits the cage with its wings, that might deter it, same as with other owl guards, by keeping the owl from being able to grab the front of the gourd.

But if an owl grabs a wire cage with its talons, it can crush the cage easily, possibly pulling it from the gourd. I know Tim can't install a wire cage at his current location (and hopefully he will never need one!) but it's good to be aware of how powerful a Great Horned Owl's feet and talons are. For landlords with no restrictions from an HOA, consider all the options for your site, including full cages and the long, prong-type owl guards.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Louise is right on the money with her statements. I knew owls could exert a tremendous amount of pressure with their talons but could not remember the recorded amount so I looked it up.

A Great Horned Owl can exert 500 psi with their talons. They have a grip five times stronger than a human. A three pound GHO can carry a 10 pound jack rabbit. One interesting point I hadn't heard was that an owl will instinctively attack the head and eyes when under attack or threatened.

IMO, nothing worse for a landlord than continued attacks by an owl.

Tim

[tim414]

I know I have owls around here. I have one that comes to visit here every friggin summer. I don't know what kind it is. He sorta brownish orange colored.

Any idea what type that could be? I only see him at night. He sits on top of my light pole and catches/eats june bugs in the summer months that are attracted to the light.

Tim

Add: Louise; will the PMCA owl guards fit on a gemini 24 rack?

[Louise Chambers]

How big is the owl, Tim? Sounds like a screech owl - they eat june bugs and such, are about 9-10 inches tall. Screech owls can be kept out with SREHs - they are too small to stop with cage guards.

PMCA owl guards fit on vertical gourd hanging arms; you might be able to adapt them to fit your rack but it would require some tinkering - I can't tell you for sure. Which gourds are you using? Troyer Horizontals would require longer owl guards and you might need to make your own, using aluminum rods, radiator clamps, etc.

[tim414]

Yes Louise; that is bout his size. When I first saw him several years ago, I thought to myself that he was good to have around because I know they eat mice. I figured he was waiting for a mouse to come out into the light where he would snatch it up for supper.

Then, the next summer I actually watched him swoop to the ground; he was NOT eating a mouse. It was june bugs. And he was about 10-12 inches if memory serves. Could certainly been a bit smaller too.

I am using the Troyer Horizontal. Landlords tell me that at a new site, the female most often chooses the horizontal. Likely for the very reason we're discussing here.

Another landlord who started last year told me his martins (2 of 3 pairs) went to the horizontal and one chose the house. For this reason I chose the horizontal.

I have bought a few verticals too. But mainly, the vast majority are horizontal 4:1 ratio.

[Louise Chambers]

Screech Owls eat a lot of insects, including cockroaches! So they are our friends They occasionally nest in martin houses and gourds, with round entrances. They eat birds on occasion, too - but if insects are abundant, that may keep them happy. We mostly hear about Great Horned and Barred Owls raiding martin colonies.

Having a mix of house and gourds, or of gourd types, can't hurt a thing, could help. One year in PA (I had a modified Trio house and gourds) a subadult male showed every female that came along the house, which was his preference. One female might have stayed if he would have paid attention to HER preference, which was a gourd. He did not listen to her and kept saying they would nest in the house! After a few days, she left, and he never got a mate.

I am pretty sure any observations that females choose horizontal gourds are not significant, that is, have no statistical validity - but offering both types is good, give them some choice.