I currently have three Gemini gourd racks in my colony and each has 24 gourds including Troyer Horizontals with cling plates and with tunnels/porches, Super Gourds with outside/inside porches, and Excluder Gourds with outside/inside porches. The Gemini is my favorite commercial gourd rack and the two tier ring set-up is aesthetically appealing and well-liked by the martins in my colony. The Gemini comes with a three inch square aluminum pole and I use a 14 foot one rather than the standard 16 foot. I prefer to have my gourd racks and houses no more than 14 feet high to minimize the chances of wind damage during violent storms. Higher the system, the more stress is placed at the bottom of the pole above the ground stake.
Here is a photo of my newest Gemini with martins in residence. This rack has 12 Troyer Horizontals with cling plates and 12 with tunnels/porches. I see no preference between the two designs by the martins. I like each about the same.
Just a short martin colony update…
Right now, my colony is thriving and I believe I have between 250 and 300 pairs of martins and more SY males are now arriving in larger numbers. The SY migration appeared to be slow at first but now we are seeing many SYs trying to roost in our colonies each evening, mine and my neighbor Bob’s site. There must have been well over 50 that came in this evening, April 19, 2016 and they cause considerable stress to the permanent residents as the SYs try to force their way into cavities already occupied. Based on what is happening with the SY returns, I believe we should match the martin numbers we had in 2015 and attract over 500 pairs in our two colonies. By late May I should know.
Our five satellite martin colonies appear to be doing well for the most part and the houses are often covered with martins. Our satellite colony located about three miles from our personal sites is having a recurring Accipiter hawk problem and this may be a resident hawk. Last year I observed a Cooper’s hawk around the colony during June.
Steve
