We put up our # 6 gourd rack in 2014 to attempt a PM colony and a pair of TS took one of the gourds and we let them stay since we hadn't seen any PM at all. In 2015 I put the gourds up a bit early and I believe the same pair of TS took one of the gourds over but that year I noticed they chased off other TS that came anywhere near the gourds.
This year I have yet to put the gourds up and I noticed the TS pair hanging around the PM pole looking desperate and sad that the gourds are not out. They have investigated each of my BB boxes (#4 in total) But didn't take one over yet. So, last week I hung one of the PM gourds off a telephone pole about 50 - 60 feet away from the PM pole and about 10 feet off the ground with a flower basket hook. The TS almost immediately went in.
My PM pole is not only 50 - 60 feet away but it's higher up on the hill (premium location), so I am now worried that when I put the rest of the PM gourds out that the TS will abandon their single gourd for the PM pole and the better location? The TS still perch on the PM pole when not in there gourd. Any advice?
I'm located in WV and per the migration map there have not been any sightings anywhere near me (at least not reported to this site) I'm 1 hour west of Winchester Va.
Thanks and Cheers!
Rob
Another Tree swallow question
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latenightrob
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 3:07 pm
- Location: WV Moorefield
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Mhoover
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 10:30 am
- Location: Indiana/Monticello - White County
- Martin Colony History: Started with 2 pair in 2014 - 7 eggs -7 fledged
IMO. Put the gourds up but keep them closed until the tree swallows begin nest building. Nest building normally means that they have bonded with their existing location so they will probably continue nesting where they are.
The trees at my site have their own gourd about sixty feet from the PM housing and have been using it for four years now so I don't have any problem after my pair of tree swallows return. They keep other pairs from trying to nest in the PM housing.
I run off any tree swallows that try to claim a gourd before my regulars get here and the regulars take over from there.
The trees at my site have their own gourd about sixty feet from the PM housing and have been using it for four years now so I don't have any problem after my pair of tree swallows return. They keep other pairs from trying to nest in the PM housing.
I run off any tree swallows that try to claim a gourd before my regulars get here and the regulars take over from there.
2017-5 pair
2016-4 pair- 18 hatched-18 fledged
2015-1 pair -Both ASY- 6 eggs-5 fledged
2014-2 pair- 1 ASY-M/SY-F-1 ASY pair - 7 eggs-7 fledged
PMCA Member
2016-4 pair- 18 hatched-18 fledged
2015-1 pair -Both ASY- 6 eggs-5 fledged
2014-2 pair- 1 ASY-M/SY-F-1 ASY pair - 7 eggs-7 fledged
PMCA Member
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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.
Your issue now may be that the tree swallows have become habituated to the gourds. They now recognize a gourd as a preferred nesting cavity. With all due respect to those who encourage tree swallows to nest, in the same way that purple martins become habituated to gourds and various SREH in gourds and houses, I am a firm believer that tree swallows and blue birds become to recognize gourds as nesting sites. I have not bought into the marketing of gourds with smaller entry holes for tree swallows and blue birds for just the reason that you now find with your tree swallows.All of my blue birds and tree swallows are in wooden blue bird houses. I also follow recommended standards that blue bird houses be placed no closer than 100 yards apart to encourage blue bird production rather than tree swallows. The lone exceptions are the two blue bird houses on either side of my gourd racks as suggested by the Drew Protocol.
If we do everything that we can to discourage both tree swallows and blue birds from claiming our gourd racks and discouraging investigating martins from establishing colonies at new sites, does it make sense to set out gourds for them at the same time? This practice may be self defeating.
Good luck.
Ed
If we do everything that we can to discourage both tree swallows and blue birds from claiming our gourd racks and discouraging investigating martins from establishing colonies at new sites, does it make sense to set out gourds for them at the same time? This practice may be self defeating.
Good luck.
Ed