Crescent Doors.
I have a Coates house with the round holes. Last yr. I installed the crescent doors and many martins visited but all left. Not wanting to lose tenants I went back to the round hole doors and had martins quickly settle in. My house is up and ready now, although I've not sighted any martins yet. Saw a starling there this morning and contemplated trying the crescent doors again. Will the martins accept these entrances eventually? Appreciate any info. Mr. K.
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James Strickland FL
- Posts: 2249
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:04 pm
- Location: Reidsville NC
- Martin Colony History: 2017 Had a lot visitors no Matins nesting, hoping 2018 will be different.
2018 Had 1 pair
2019 had 30 pair
MR. K,
I moved from round holes to Crescent just a few years ago and I can tell you it drove me crazy to what the martins trying to get in the crescent entrances, but they did learn how to get in. Now they go in as fast as they did with the round. IF they love your site they will stay and learn.
I moved from round holes to Crescent just a few years ago and I can tell you it drove me crazy to what the martins trying to get in the crescent entrances, but they did learn how to get in. Now they go in as fast as they did with the round. IF they love your site they will stay and learn.
PMCA MEMBER
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Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
It is my humble opinion, that you should put in the crescent doors and immediately go on a two week holiday 
This will relieve much of your landlord anxiety, crescents all the way!
This will relieve much of your landlord anxiety, crescents all the way!
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
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Jose Rodriguez
- Posts: 692
- Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:34 am
- Location: FL/Belleview
I agree with James and Archer! We have clinger intrances and it drove us nuts! They stick their head in, and then out, then in, and then out! Drove us nuts! Now they go in in a split second! Good luck!
PMCA Member
"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
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John Miller
- Posts: 4863
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Is your house the "suites" version with deep units via an entrance through the side wall? If not, I'd stick with round. Crescent on 6 x 6 units generally isn't recommend because nest material could block the entrance.
here's my take on this, mostly based on what I read over the last decade. You can start a colony from scratch with crescents -- that from my personal experience. But if you switch an existing colony, the birds know there's a change and it sometimes takes a long time to learn. You could try a mix. And once a male sees a female (and they are smaller) enter one of the crescents, he'll follow.
here's my take on this, mostly based on what I read over the last decade. You can start a colony from scratch with crescents -- that from my personal experience. But if you switch an existing colony, the birds know there's a change and it sometimes takes a long time to learn. You could try a mix. And once a male sees a female (and they are smaller) enter one of the crescents, he'll follow.
I started out last year with 8 round hole natural gourds on a rack and another with 8 larger natural gourds with SREH porches. When the teenager thugs showed up a few weeks later I had to put up another rack with 8 little natural gourds I scrounged up. All racks seemed to have the same amount of activity during the year.
At the end of season, the smaller round hole gourds seemed to have the most nesting activity. The larger SREH porch gourds had plenty of bird activity but maybe 50% nests.
If I can get enough gourds to add another 8 gourd tee rack I will use 2" round holes on those gourds. BTW, the plastic SREH porches keep the birds from clinging to the round holes and tearing up the hole on natural gourds. We'll see what happens this year.
At the end of season, the smaller round hole gourds seemed to have the most nesting activity. The larger SREH porch gourds had plenty of bird activity but maybe 50% nests.
If I can get enough gourds to add another 8 gourd tee rack I will use 2" round holes on those gourds. BTW, the plastic SREH porches keep the birds from clinging to the round holes and tearing up the hole on natural gourds. We'll see what happens this year.
2014 8 gourds, 3 pairs nested. Ended w/ 24 total
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.
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threelilkids
- Posts: 386
- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:11 pm
- Location: Denham Springs, La
- Martin Colony History: 2014 1 pair 3 hatched 3 fledged
2015 1 pair 5 hatched 5 fledged
2016 1 pair 5 hatched 4 fledged
2017 2 pair 8 hatched 8 fledged
2018 4 pair 15 hatched
I had crescents and the starlings here would squeeze in with alot of trying, so I put the conley II plates on all openings. This week the starlings came back and tried and tried but could not get in. I was so happy, I worked so hard on the openings for a long time, but glad to say it paid off. The Martins act like they have a hard time getting in but when they want in they will get in. Good luck to all, Mary
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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 agree with leaving for a while when you change to just about any non round entrances. I switched to all crescents and modified excluder entrances several years ago. All are on large plastic gourds. I have yet to have a martin not eventually enter either entrances. I have yet to have a starling enter either. I have observed male martins struggle to enter crescents but easily enter the modified excluders. Go figure. Once they get used to either entrance, they enter without any hesitancy. If you are anxious about crescent entrances detering martins, wait until the starlings discover your round entrances. I know there are successful colonies with only round entrances, but starlings are ubiquitous and will drive crazy.
SREH entrances are a proven martin friendly addition to the hobby. Relax and let it go, as my granddaughter sings constantly.
Good luck and enjoy your martins.
Ed
SREH entrances are a proven martin friendly addition to the hobby. Relax and let it go, as my granddaughter sings constantly.
Good luck and enjoy your martins.
Ed
Thanks for the responses. The next morning after starting this thread 5 martins arrived. They are still here today, singing and enjoying life. Now I am afraid to change the doors. Last yr. I had great success, after changing back to the round hole doors. Unlike last yr. these first birds appear to want to stay. First time for me. Again, thanks all. Jesse
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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.
Jesse,
Why not install one crescent entrance. Leave the round ones if you are more comfortable. You will see some of the martins explore the crescent entrance and eventually figure it out. My guess is that even with round entrances available, the cavity with the crescent will be occupied.
Does your house have expanded nesting cavities? I agree with John about 6x6 cavities and SREH holes.
Good luck.
Ed
Why not install one crescent entrance. Leave the round ones if you are more comfortable. You will see some of the martins explore the crescent entrance and eventually figure it out. My guess is that even with round entrances available, the cavity with the crescent will be occupied.
Does your house have expanded nesting cavities? I agree with John about 6x6 cavities and SREH holes.
Good luck.
Ed
My Coates house was a 12 unit from the start. Last yr. I opened up the party wall divider making the units 12" deep. Blocking off 6 entrances this makes it a 6 unit house. They seem to like the extra space, and I'm sure the nests are safer farther back. I have two pairs now and one single male. Thanks everyone. Jesse