Perches or cling plate

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Norm
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2016 1:12 am
Location: Saskatchewan
Martin Colony History: 2012- one pair 2013 -two pair 2014 -two pair 2015 - six pair

Good thing no martins where I live. There is a snowfall warning, could dump five inches wet snow in central Saskatchewan. So here is my concern, I purchased S-K gourds packaged as a kit of six from Tractor Supply. Now I want to erect them,opening the box I see they do not have cling plates or perches. Phoning the manufacturer I find out these are options and not required.The gourd entry holes are crescent and I have been told martins need to prop their tail to gain entry, that is why you need a cling plate or perch. I did my own modification and made small pvc perches .Any thoughts or opinions on this subject? Is this a requirement on this model of gourd ?
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Jackel350
Posts: 25
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2015 6:10 pm
Location: OH/Mcarthur

S&K has all kinds of accessories for their gourds. I'm surprised they didn't come with perches. The tunnels work out nice on them too
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DannyM
Posts: 30
Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:38 am
Location: Texas/Queen City

Norm, I have the same gourds. I purchased the porches for them. Actually, I don't see why your modification won't work.
2014.....0 Pair
2015.....1 Pair.....5 Eggs.....3 Hatched
2016.....1 Pair.....5 Eggs.....5 Hatched and Fledged
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Norm
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2016 1:12 am
Location: Saskatchewan
Martin Colony History: 2012- one pair 2013 -two pair 2014 -two pair 2015 - six pair

Danny , you say you purchased porches. Have you any pictures? Do you think this is more inviting for birds or better protection? :wink:
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Elijah Clark
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2016 10:52 pm
Location: Bend, TX
Martin Colony History: Put up the colony in 2015 and had a mean and nasty fight with the sparrows, yet one pair stayed and five fledged.

Your pvc porches should work fine :)
"A good sparrow is a dead sparrow"
2015- 1 pair
2016- 12 pair
2017- 0 pair (predators). Back to square one.
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Forum Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 339
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2003 1:16 pm
Location: Erie, PA

A reminder for those new to the forum, no posts about where to buy, prices, sales, etc., are permitted on the forum. You are welcome to discuss all martin products, just no sales links or info - thanks.
Forum Administrator
Purple Martin Conservation Association - Please consider becoming a member of the PMCA.
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Elijah Clark
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2016 10:52 pm
Location: Bend, TX
Martin Colony History: Put up the colony in 2015 and had a mean and nasty fight with the sparrows, yet one pair stayed and five fledged.

Ok, sorry didn't mean to cause any trouble. Have a nice week :grin:
"A good sparrow is a dead sparrow"
2015- 1 pair
2016- 12 pair
2017- 0 pair (predators). Back to square one.
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John Miller
Posts: 4863
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO

I'm apprehensive as to whether martins can enter the clinger entrance with the perch . Maybe. But they need a flat surface from which to push forward. Could maybe push off and in from the perch, but I'd feel better with a flat porch. The tunnels add depth to the gourd, and suggest these over a cling plate. A plate provides tail support to help in catapulting in; otherwise a martin's body clinging to the entrance wraps under the gourd and is just more difficult to pull up and in...so a cling plate is an option, but I'd go with porch, or ideally a tunnel with a porch.

John Miller
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