SREH Breach by Starlings
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MSchmohl
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:58 pm
- Location: MO/Kearney
- Martin Colony History: 2015: 5 pairs, 16 babies fledged
I have about 3 Starlings that have breached the cresent shaped SREH openings on my S&K barn and gourds. They started to make nests in the barn so I plugged the holes to the barn, since the PMs aren't showing any interest in the barn. I closed all the holes in the barn except one compartment that has a trap inside. Then they moved to the gourds that my PMs are staying in. So I opened up one of the rooms to the barn, so the Starlings would leave the gourds alone and go back to the barn. They did go back to the barn. Mean while my husband and I are trying to shot the Starlings, but they are too quick to fly away. Tonight I was reading some past forum posts in regards to Starlings and SREH breaches. I read some reports about a Lewis modification to cresent openings. I don't quite understand how this modification is done. It looks like all you do is raise the porch floor to 1/8" to flush and this will prevent the Starlings from being able to enter. Is this all I have to do? Can someone please clarify this for me. I appreciate any suggestions to how I can prevent these Starlings from entering my barn and gourds and make them go else where.
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Ed Svetich-WI
- Posts: 815
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
- Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
- Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.
I will try to assist. I have only Super Gourds and Excluder Gourds with crescent and modified excluder SREH. All of my porches are 1/8 to 1/4 inch below the openings. I have never had a starling enter a gourd, but I know that it can happen from reading posts here on the forum.
The rationale behind raising the porch is that starlings have a deep breast bone and raising the porch to 1/8 to even flush with the entrance prevents the starling from turning their body and wiggling into the entrance. They try to push with their legs but the flush porch causes their breast to block their entry. Martin anatomy is different and the higher porch does not prevent them from entering the SREH.
Good luck. It is an easy adjustment to make.
Ed
The rationale behind raising the porch is that starlings have a deep breast bone and raising the porch to 1/8 to even flush with the entrance prevents the starling from turning their body and wiggling into the entrance. They try to push with their legs but the flush porch causes their breast to block their entry. Martin anatomy is different and the higher porch does not prevent them from entering the SREH.
Good luck. It is an easy adjustment to make.
Ed
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BIOteacher012
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2012 3:19 pm
- Location: Wisconsin/Montello
I know how you feel!! I had a starling breach my Troyer horizontal gourd with a Conely II entrance last week. Saw the female go in first, then the male followed her by watching. I have an ammunition of various traps from the PMCA. The one for the Troyer gourd has a plate that slides above the entrance with a pin inside. I was reluctant to use a trap on a house that has martins in it.....but decided to go for it. Nailed the female in 15 minutes. The male starling finally left.
Let us know what type of gourds you have. If you can invest in the Natureline 2 gourd and then buy the trap round entrance that fits into that gourd, you are sure to nail those starlings. This gourd has a VanErt trap, and is as quick as lightening. In my opinion, it's one of the best traps on the market. Get them trapped in the gourd, and they will leave your barn alone. In the meantime, raise the porch the dimensions that Ed mentioned. This will definitely help.
Good Luck!!
Let us know what type of gourds you have. If you can invest in the Natureline 2 gourd and then buy the trap round entrance that fits into that gourd, you are sure to nail those starlings. This gourd has a VanErt trap, and is as quick as lightening. In my opinion, it's one of the best traps on the market. Get them trapped in the gourd, and they will leave your barn alone. In the meantime, raise the porch the dimensions that Ed mentioned. This will definitely help.
Good Luck!!
BrianT
2017 38 nesting pairs, 181 fledged
2016 22 nesting pairs, 113 fledged
2015 20 nesting pairs, 91 fledged
2014 10 nesting pairs, 49 fledged
2013 4 nesting pairs, 15 fledged
2012 Lots of lookers but no nesters
2017 38 nesting pairs, 181 fledged
2016 22 nesting pairs, 113 fledged
2015 20 nesting pairs, 91 fledged
2014 10 nesting pairs, 49 fledged
2013 4 nesting pairs, 15 fledged
2012 Lots of lookers but no nesters
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MSchmohl
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:58 pm
- Location: MO/Kearney
- Martin Colony History: 2015: 5 pairs, 16 babies fledged
I have 3 S&K Bo Gourds that the PMs are staying in and 3 Excluder gourds. As far as I know there aren't any birds staying in the Excluder gourds. I sprayed the insides black and the PMs don't have any interest in going inside them. They like the Bo gourds the best. I bought a gourd insert trap form the PMCA Shop, but haven't tried it yet. Should I try closing off all the compartments to the barn and placing the gourd trap inside one of the Excluder gourds and hope that the Starlings stay out of the Bo Gourds and get caught in the gourd with the trap?
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BIOteacher012
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2012 3:19 pm
- Location: Wisconsin/Montello
Close off the barn. Place one of the gourds with the dark interior and get a trap going in that gourd. Make sure you fill it with pine straw to shield the trap trigger mechanism. The ultimate would be a gourd with a round entrance with a trap. But, use what you can. Since they have breached the barn, they will continue to breach your gourds too. Starlings love dark interiors. If it is a gourd with a porch, that will help. Since your martins are avoiding the dark interior type gourd, you may just be in luck.
The PMCA also has a new excluder gourd trap that you can try, without having to remove the inner porches. Not sure, but looks like a good trap.
The PMCA also has a new excluder gourd trap that you can try, without having to remove the inner porches. Not sure, but looks like a good trap.
BrianT
2017 38 nesting pairs, 181 fledged
2016 22 nesting pairs, 113 fledged
2015 20 nesting pairs, 91 fledged
2014 10 nesting pairs, 49 fledged
2013 4 nesting pairs, 15 fledged
2012 Lots of lookers but no nesters
2017 38 nesting pairs, 181 fledged
2016 22 nesting pairs, 113 fledged
2015 20 nesting pairs, 91 fledged
2014 10 nesting pairs, 49 fledged
2013 4 nesting pairs, 15 fledged
2012 Lots of lookers but no nesters
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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.
If your question is about how to trap starlings, then others will be better able to explain the best approach.
If your question is how to reduce starling breaches to the crescent openings on your S&K house, then I may be able to make some suggestions.
I freely admit that the basis of my advise is the Lewis modification to crescent entrances.
I am sure that you have perused this post by Lewis.
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... lewis+sreh
I would recommend raising the porch levels to flush with a slick surface and putting a PMCA wing entrapment protector to the outside.
One method of raising the porch level on S&K houses was discussed later in this post.
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... ht=#239400
The outside PMCA WEPs keeps the plastic entrances on S&K houses from being warped and allowing the starlings to breach.
Mark.
If your question is how to reduce starling breaches to the crescent openings on your S&K house, then I may be able to make some suggestions.
I freely admit that the basis of my advise is the Lewis modification to crescent entrances.
I am sure that you have perused this post by Lewis.
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... lewis+sreh
I would recommend raising the porch levels to flush with a slick surface and putting a PMCA wing entrapment protector to the outside.
One method of raising the porch level on S&K houses was discussed later in this post.
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... ht=#239400
The outside PMCA WEPs keeps the plastic entrances on S&K houses from being warped and allowing the starlings to breach.
Mark.
Last edited by 4th Gen Martin Fan on Tue May 12, 2015 12:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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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stan davison
- Posts: 715
- Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:48 pm
- Location: Tulsa Oklahoma
Those yellow beaks breach at least one gourd here every spring. This year I had a few breaches and on the last breach when the starling entered I placed the prongs of a rake and covered the hole with the starling inside. I slowly lowered the system and shoved a plastic bag in the entrance. Removed the entire gourd and gave the hole a shot of engine starter fluid. DEAD starling.
Removed the dead yellow beak and removed all nesting material and hosed out the gourd. Rebuilt a nice clean nest and re-hung the gourd. Asy pair in gourd incubating eggs now.
Removed the dead yellow beak and removed all nesting material and hosed out the gourd. Rebuilt a nice clean nest and re-hung the gourd. Asy pair in gourd incubating eggs now.
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Ed Svetich-WI
- Posts: 815
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
- Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
- Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.
I am curious about spraying the interior of gourds black. I must have missed that suggesion. I think I understand the rationale but you said that the martins have stayed away from those gourds.All of my gourds are opaque as received and are 99% full every year. Are dark cavities more attractive to starlings? Trio used to say that their bright cavities discouraged starlings. It may have been marketing but I never had starlings nest in my old Trios.
I still have a round hole Super Gourd with a permantly mounted trap in the garage just in case. It was much easier than always installing a trap when a starling took up residence before SREH was available. It may be worth it to have one handy and it may be cheaper than having to have a different trap for every different gourd/house that you may have in your colony.It always seemed that starlings focused on a round hole when available. Obviously you had to be vigilant as martins could always enter the round hole also. Just a suggestion for those with resident starlings in the neighborhood.
Ed
I still have a round hole Super Gourd with a permantly mounted trap in the garage just in case. It was much easier than always installing a trap when a starling took up residence before SREH was available. It may be worth it to have one handy and it may be cheaper than having to have a different trap for every different gourd/house that you may have in your colony.It always seemed that starlings focused on a round hole when available. Obviously you had to be vigilant as martins could always enter the round hole also. Just a suggestion for those with resident starlings in the neighborhood.
Ed
It was truth-based marketing.Ed Svetich-WI wrote:Trio used to say that their bright cavities discouraged starlings. It may have been marketing but I never had starlings nest in my old Trios.
Aluminum houses, with small 6"X6" compartments, and shiny interiors, are only going to even be considered by starlings to nest in, in HEAVY, starling-pressure areas.
Areas with moderate to low starling pressure, are rarely, if ever, going to see a starling nest in an aluminum, 6"X6" compartment.
Starlings do indeed like larger, and darker compartments.
The reason the shiny, aluminum 6"X6" compartments are very rarely used by starlings, is because:
1. The compartment is too small (nesting area is too close to the entrance)
2. The compartment is too bright (light coming in being reflected by the shiny aluminum surfaces)
Take any one of those two factors away, and the compartment becomes much more attractive to starlings. For example, wooden houses with 6"X6" compartments, are often readily used by starlings. Why? The darker wooden cavities, with no reflective surfaces.
Another example - take a bright, aluminum, 6"X6" compartment, and expand it to 6"x12". You then have created a much darker back section, that starlings like.
Take away both factors (wooden houses with large compartments), and you have a house that is EXTREMELY attractive starlings.
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MSchmohl
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:58 pm
- Location: MO/Kearney
- Martin Colony History: 2015: 5 pairs, 16 babies fledged
I spent half the day yesterday making modifications to my S&K barn and two of the Excluder gourds. I raised the porch floor and added cut pieces of plastic cutting boards to the entry way to make it slick. The porch floor is either flush with the opening or no more than 1/8" high. I also added 3/4" wide piece of PVC pipe above the crescent entries to two of the Excluder gourds as a wing entrapment preventative. I didn't do anything to the three S&K Bo gourds the PMs are living in since the porch is already almost flush with the opening. Besides I don't recall seeing the Starlings breaching these gourds. I wasn't able to spend much time watching to see if this fixed my Starling breachment problem last night because I had to go watch my daughter's recorder concert.
Well, wouldn't you know it this morning when I woke up the Starlings were back at building nests in two of the top compartments in my barn. UGGH!! So I closed up the openings with pieces of pool noodle and waited to see if they went to the Excluder gourds like they did the last time I closed up the barn. I left one of the excluder gourds unmodified and placed a gourd trap inside.
Wala! As I was working on typing this post, I looked out at the gourds and I saw that the trap door was down. So I went out and lowered the houses. I caught one of the nasty buggers in the gourd! I did away it. One down, two more to go. (maybe?) Well, I haven't seen any more since I caught the one.
I'm posting pictures of the modifications I made to the barn and to the Excluder gourds. Since they obviously can still get into the barn, would it make a difference if I add the PVC ring above the entry ways on the barn, like I did the gourds? I'm also not sure if I made this modification correctly, since there aren't any pictures of what this should look like on the forum this modification was suggested.
Any further suggestions to prevent any more Starling breaches, if and when they return?
Thank you all for the suggestions already made!
Well, wouldn't you know it this morning when I woke up the Starlings were back at building nests in two of the top compartments in my barn. UGGH!! So I closed up the openings with pieces of pool noodle and waited to see if they went to the Excluder gourds like they did the last time I closed up the barn. I left one of the excluder gourds unmodified and placed a gourd trap inside.
Wala! As I was working on typing this post, I looked out at the gourds and I saw that the trap door was down. So I went out and lowered the houses. I caught one of the nasty buggers in the gourd! I did away it. One down, two more to go. (maybe?) Well, I haven't seen any more since I caught the one.
I'm posting pictures of the modifications I made to the barn and to the Excluder gourds. Since they obviously can still get into the barn, would it make a difference if I add the PVC ring above the entry ways on the barn, like I did the gourds? I'm also not sure if I made this modification correctly, since there aren't any pictures of what this should look like on the forum this modification was suggested.
Any further suggestions to prevent any more Starling breaches, if and when they return?
Thank you all for the suggestions already made!
- Attachments
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- Barn entry way with a piece of cutting board at the opening.
- 20150513_104429.jpg (299.91 KiB) Viewed 7633 times
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- Gourd entry way with a piece of cutting board and 3/4" wide PVC ring.
- 20150513_104458.jpg (313.29 KiB) Viewed 7654 times
2015 - First year landlord, 10 PMs (4 ASY and 6 SY); 16 babies fledged
2016 - Second year - currently waiting for PMs to return
2016 - Second year - currently waiting for PMs to return
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
I'd go ahead and add the ring to the barn entrances - that's so similar to another modification that is working well, called the Lewis Mod. You are doing a good job!
Hi Mr. Schmohl,
I have copied the link below from Mark's post in this thread.
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... lewis+sreh .
There are photos of the Lewis SREH /modification on the same entrance on that thread.
The elevator porch on your crescent SREH house entrance looks to be perfect. What may need to be added is the Wing entrapment Guard(WEP).
I recently had the same problem. If I only modified a few entrances or say, only the gourds(in my case) they were breaching, they would just go to those that were not modified so I had to do them all. 2 weeks out and no Starlings still.
The Lewis SREH stops those things.
I have copied the link below from Mark's post in this thread.
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... lewis+sreh .
There are photos of the Lewis SREH /modification on the same entrance on that thread.
The elevator porch on your crescent SREH house entrance looks to be perfect. What may need to be added is the Wing entrapment Guard(WEP).
I recently had the same problem. If I only modified a few entrances or say, only the gourds(in my case) they were breaching, they would just go to those that were not modified so I had to do them all. 2 weeks out and no Starlings still.
The Lewis SREH stops those things.
2008~(1st yr) 4 pairs, 11 to 12 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
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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.
Schmohl,
Your porch elevators and PVC pipe arches look great on the gourd. I admire the way your PVC pipe arches hug the crescent curve but do not narrow or obstruct the crescent curve.
Your porch elevators look great on the barn.
I would add the PVC pipe arches to the outside of your barn's crescent entrances. Essentially you will be using your PVC pipe arches instead of PMCA wing entrapment protectors to complete the Lewis Modification to Crescent Entrances. I believe that it will stop the starling breaches into your barn.
Please keep us abreast if you have any further starling breaches after you add your PVC pipe arches.
Mark.
Your porch elevators and PVC pipe arches look great on the gourd. I admire the way your PVC pipe arches hug the crescent curve but do not narrow or obstruct the crescent curve.
Your porch elevators look great on the barn.
I would add the PVC pipe arches to the outside of your barn's crescent entrances. Essentially you will be using your PVC pipe arches instead of PMCA wing entrapment protectors to complete the Lewis Modification to Crescent Entrances. I believe that it will stop the starling breaches into your barn.
Please keep us abreast if you have any further starling breaches after you add your PVC pipe arches.
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.
The reason you want the SREH opening flush with the floor is: Starlings have longer legs than Purple Martins. If the opening is as low to the floor as it can possibly be (i.e. flush) the starling can't crouch low enough to get under the top of the opening. But the martin can. Good luck.
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bwenger
- Posts: 1057
- Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2005 7:24 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania/Espyville/Pymatuning Reservoir Area
- Martin Colony History: Taking care of 11 active public colonies and trying to start two more in northwestern PA. Also attempting to restart another one in southwestern PA, in Collier Township's Hilltop Park. In 2017, not sure what happened but the ASY male returned and then a couple of weeks later he was gone. It could have been weather related. No other birds showed up. I had a starling nesting at the Public site that I had trouble getting rid of.
In 2018, we fledged 629 martins at all of the sites.
Nice job on your modifications.
Sooner or later those starlings will give up.
Have a grest year!
Sooner or later those starlings will give up.
Have a grest year!
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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.
Mary,
terrapincove left a post where a starling was videoed entering a crescent entrance with the crescent height too tall/high and a followup video where an additional outer board was added to correct the height to 1 3/16-1 5/32".
The PMCA Forum post was:
http://purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic ... ht=#228680
The 2 videos in that post were:
Starling freely entering crescent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf4Qp3- ... e=youtu.be
Starling blocked from entering crescent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiV2bA- ... e=youtu.be
The videos were very informative on how starlings can enter a standard. non-modified crescent.
The starling got down on its breast with its feet behind it. The feet were pushing (reminded me of pedaling) against the wooden porch's rough texture. It wedged itself through.
The video did not show the inside of the compartment but I imagine that as the starling got its head inside then it craned its neck upward to help pull its torso through the entrance as the feet were pushing on the rough textured porch.
That is why I believe that it takes all of the Lewis Modification to Crescent Entrances to stop starlings. The near flush (1/8") to flush porch throws their feet out from under their torso, the smooth surface of the porch keeps them from pushing with their feet and the PMCA wing entrapment protector (WEP) or PVC pipe arch keeps the thin, flexible plastic or metal of the entrance from warping & the starling from craning its neck to pull its torso through.
All I know is, the complete Lewis SREH or Lewis Modification works. The elevated porch may stop a lot of starlings but the WEP or PVC arch really adds to stopping the breaches by starlings.
Mark.
terrapincove left a post where a starling was videoed entering a crescent entrance with the crescent height too tall/high and a followup video where an additional outer board was added to correct the height to 1 3/16-1 5/32".
The PMCA Forum post was:
http://purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic ... ht=#228680
The 2 videos in that post were:
Starling freely entering crescent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf4Qp3- ... e=youtu.be
Starling blocked from entering crescent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiV2bA- ... e=youtu.be
The videos were very informative on how starlings can enter a standard. non-modified crescent.
The starling got down on its breast with its feet behind it. The feet were pushing (reminded me of pedaling) against the wooden porch's rough texture. It wedged itself through.
The video did not show the inside of the compartment but I imagine that as the starling got its head inside then it craned its neck upward to help pull its torso through the entrance as the feet were pushing on the rough textured porch.
That is why I believe that it takes all of the Lewis Modification to Crescent Entrances to stop starlings. The near flush (1/8") to flush porch throws their feet out from under their torso, the smooth surface of the porch keeps them from pushing with their feet and the PMCA wing entrapment protector (WEP) or PVC pipe arch keeps the thin, flexible plastic or metal of the entrance from warping & the starling from craning its neck to pull its torso through.
All I know is, the complete Lewis SREH or Lewis Modification works. The elevated porch may stop a lot of starlings but the WEP or PVC arch really adds to stopping the breaches by starlings.
Mark.
Last edited by 4th Gen Martin Fan on Sat May 16, 2015 11:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
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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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.
At :20 second mark of this video, you can see the exiting starling using its neck to crane upward to assist in breaching the crescent. Granted it is exiting but the maneuver would be the same for entering a crescent.
Starlings entering and exiting crescent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf4Qp3- ... e=youtu.be
The smaller female starling did not have to crane its neck at :09 mark but the larger male starling did have to crane its neck at :20 mark.
Mark.
Starlings entering and exiting crescent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf4Qp3- ... e=youtu.be
The smaller female starling did not have to crane its neck at :09 mark but the larger male starling did have to crane its neck at :20 mark.
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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MSchmohl
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:58 pm
- Location: MO/Kearney
- Martin Colony History: 2015: 5 pairs, 16 babies fledged
Thank you for these very informative posts. After doing all the modifications, the Starlings are no longer hanging around my site. Unfortunately the HOSP are back. I caught 4 just yesterday in my traps. I have also had to free a woodpecker 3 different times. I use stale crackers to lure the HOSP into the trap. Woodpeckers must like crackers too.
2015 - First year landlord, 10 PMs (4 ASY and 6 SY); 16 babies fledged
2016 - Second year - currently waiting for PMs to return
2016 - Second year - currently waiting for PMs to return