I just put up a SDGR gourd rack that can have up to 12 gourds on it and have purchased 12 Troyer vertical gourds. I currently have 3 trio houses but wanted to try out gourds. Currently I have 3 ASY martins (2 male and 1 female) which is the slowest start in my 10 years of being a landlord. They arrived on April 15th which is also their latest arrival. Hopefully more ASY come as well as SY martins.
My question is seeing that I currently only have 3 martins should I only put up 6 gourds on the rack or put up all 12 of the Troyer gourds?
Any advice appreciated?
Thanks
Gourd Advice
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
I have always put up whatever I had. Let the birds pick their faves. Good luck to you.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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catoscar
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 6:53 pm
- Location: Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
- Martin Colony History: 10 Year landlord. Currently have 4 Trio houses and 12 Troyer gourds.
Also seeing that I only currently have 3 martins should I wait till more martins possibly arrive to put up my 6 or 12 gourds on their rack?
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Ever since I started, I have always put up whatever housing I had before the martins arrive. Then I could shoot and trap many of the sparrows and starlings before the martins arrived. I see no reason to put up only some of your gourds, just hang them all and wait, sometimes it takes a lot of patience waiting. Good luck
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps