https://drive.google.com/open?id=1fIKsS ... nPnmhAJPO1
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1e1Jd2 ... q2bzEeaNUF
No martins yet though.
Unfortunately I'm positioned kinda close to trees (30-50ft to base of trees, but they're 4-5 stories tall, no option unfortunately.)
SREHs do appear to work
Cool camera shot. Is that a GoPro mounted on the porch?
12 S&K B09 Gourds w/ 2 S&K barns converted to 6 double cavity setup
2016 - 0 visits
2017 - Few visitors late summer
2018 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2019 - Visitors
2020 - Visitors
2021 - 1 pair, 5 Fledged
2022 - Optimistic
2016 - 0 visits
2017 - Few visitors late summer
2018 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2019 - Visitors
2020 - Visitors
2021 - 1 pair, 5 Fledged
2022 - Optimistic
It's one of those $20 Wyze cameras (wifi, powered by USB 5V) on an S&K 12-compartment house.
(which sounds good except...
with a $10 outdoor cover
a 24V (5A/120W) AC adapter nearby (30ft from base)
a 12ga 2-conductor wire buried and run up to the birdhouse, which goes into the attic of the house, and powers
a USB (car 12/24V) charger with a bunch of USB ports
so I can technically have a camera on every porch and inside every alcove if I wanted to. I wasn't going to bother actually doing the full build if I didn't actually manage to attract martins....
(I also looked into heating/cooling using that power source, but decided not to bother unless I actually get martins).
Here's the same camera with a pair: https://drive.google.com/open?id=18m8dF ... pxx-ASHBtO
Battery powered "Ring" camera video quality.... might have been compromised from the battery not behaving by the below freezing temps: https://drive.google.com/open?id=10Rf3V ... 9ckxIAISFf
(which sounds good except...
with a $10 outdoor cover
a 24V (5A/120W) AC adapter nearby (30ft from base)
a 12ga 2-conductor wire buried and run up to the birdhouse, which goes into the attic of the house, and powers
a USB (car 12/24V) charger with a bunch of USB ports
so I can technically have a camera on every porch and inside every alcove if I wanted to. I wasn't going to bother actually doing the full build if I didn't actually manage to attract martins....
(I also looked into heating/cooling using that power source, but decided not to bother unless I actually get martins).
Here's the same camera with a pair: https://drive.google.com/open?id=18m8dF ... pxx-ASHBtO
Battery powered "Ring" camera video quality.... might have been compromised from the battery not behaving by the below freezing temps: https://drive.google.com/open?id=10Rf3V ... 9ckxIAISFf
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John & Linda - KY
- Posts: 599
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:19 pm
- Location: Kentucky/Hawesville
I enjoy watching the starlings struggle in vain to enter our crescents. Their long legs just get in the way too much. -- John
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3788
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
Just remember they are starling resistant not starling proof. In the spring it is not unheard of for a smaller starling that has not been able to eat as much over the winter. I had my first starling breach of an SREH last summer and once one gets in it will continue until you trap or shoot it. Fortunately the vast majority of them will not get in.
2026 HOSP 26
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3788
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
My bad, I was on my phone at work and couldn't see the media. I thought it said SREH Don't appear to work. I misread.......
2026 HOSP 26
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
So the starlings are all over the house every morning for 15-20 minutes checking most/all of the insides of the compartments (just sticking their heads in and looking). Only once did I see them bring nesting material (then proceed to not fit in)
Will that scare off PMs?
Will that scare off PMs?
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3788
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
I finally got to watch the videos. Nice camera set up. The starlings were just looking in and not trying to get in. The only reason I bring it up is that martins will do the same thing when they first arrive at a new site. Some people see this and get anxiety that they can't get in. I have seen SY's look into a cavity for a day or two before actually going into a cavity. When you see the starlings get in part way and pushing with it's feet then you'll see the SREH in action.
I've never experience starlings actually chasing off visiting martins like tree swallows and some other birds will. The starlings seem to be more of a threat if they decide they want a cavity and get a martin trapped inside. At least that has been my experience.
I've never experience starlings actually chasing off visiting martins like tree swallows and some other birds will. The starlings seem to be more of a threat if they decide they want a cavity and get a martin trapped inside. At least that has been my experience.
2026 HOSP 26
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
I thought it was just a pair, added a camera aimed at the yard, it was actually a small flock of like 10 starlings.
I guess they sweep through every morning to grab the bugs and berries in my yard?
A few of them brought straw/grass material up to the house and stuck their heads in before giving up though.
I guess they sweep through every morning to grab the bugs and berries in my yard?
A few of them brought straw/grass material up to the house and stuck their heads in before giving up though.
Yeah now they're trying that and bringing nesting material... it's not working, but they're trying:flyin-lowe wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2019 3:47 pmWhen you see the starlings get in part way and pushing with it's feet then you'll see the SREH in action.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Mh61z ... NGKExuD4Wc
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SyhAN ... loisBqz5qL
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i0PXC ... JDDESxbxoV
Bonus starling taking issue with the camera: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Buey5 ... 8HHKdQlAeA
So I haven't seen a single purple martin (on the cameras either), but multiple starlings every single day trying to get in, some with nest material.
Today I had a new pair show up:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AaHhI ... Hzyy6qAMpl
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RFJh3 ... B9Ycf8UoT3
Please tell me those are house finches and not house sparrows (the brown coloration makes it not look like the HOSPs that I saw when I looked online (black beaks and face coloration))
Edit: Now I'm almost certain that's a HOSP: http://www.sialis.org/otherbrownbirds.htm
Time to close up the house until a martin shows on camera I guess (assuming the HOSP comes back, which I assume it will)...
Today I had a new pair show up:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AaHhI ... Hzyy6qAMpl
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RFJh3 ... B9Ycf8UoT3
Please tell me those are house finches and not house sparrows (the brown coloration makes it not look like the HOSPs that I saw when I looked online (black beaks and face coloration))
Edit: Now I'm almost certain that's a HOSP: http://www.sialis.org/otherbrownbirds.htm
Time to close up the house until a martin shows on camera I guess (assuming the HOSP comes back, which I assume it will)...
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sugarcreek
- Posts: 252
- Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2016 10:43 am
- Location: Sugarcreek, Ohio
- Martin Colony History: 2016 First Yr.
That's a HOSP alright
16 - 14 Cavities 4 Act. Ne 9 fledged, 2.25 Fl. per Act. Ne
17 - 36 Cavities 18 Act. Ne 65 Fledged, 3.61 Fl. per Act. Ne
18 - 54 Cavities 43 Act. Ne 169 Fledged, 3.93 Fl. per Act. Ne
19 - 108 Cavities 67 Act. Ne 209 Fledged, 3.12 Fl. per Act. Ne
20 - 108 Cavities 72 Act. Ne 243 Fledged, 3.38 Fl. per Act. Ne
21 - 112 Cavities 91 Act. Ne 313 Fledged, 3.44 Fl. per Act. Ne
22 - 114 Cavities 101 Act Ne 355 Fledged, 3.51 Fl. per Act. Ne
17 - 36 Cavities 18 Act. Ne 65 Fledged, 3.61 Fl. per Act. Ne
18 - 54 Cavities 43 Act. Ne 169 Fledged, 3.93 Fl. per Act. Ne
19 - 108 Cavities 67 Act. Ne 209 Fledged, 3.12 Fl. per Act. Ne
20 - 108 Cavities 72 Act. Ne 243 Fledged, 3.38 Fl. per Act. Ne
21 - 112 Cavities 91 Act. Ne 313 Fledged, 3.44 Fl. per Act. Ne
22 - 114 Cavities 101 Act Ne 355 Fledged, 3.51 Fl. per Act. Ne
Do you know what this bird is and is it harmless to PMs?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lPnN5- ... p=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lPnN5- ... p=drivesdk
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FarmerHarv
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2018 1:18 pm
- Location: West Central Saskatchewan
- Martin Colony History: 2018 - First house up in late June, lots of visitors brought over by “Percy”, a very enthusiastic SY male.
2019 - 10 nests, 51 eggs, 41 hatched, 40 fledged.
Tufted Titmouse I think? It's a cavity nester but I'm not sure of their interaction with martins. Nice little bird that unfortunately we'll never have in our area (we saw some in South Carolina).
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Yes, tufted titmouse, native bird, cavity nester, harmless to martins. they sometimes nest in bluebird boxes.
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
betaflame,
Your commitment to the purple martins with cameras to monitor your house is commendable.
Have you converted your S&K house to double compartments to improve the odds that purple martins will select your house and stay?
Your commitment to the purple martins with cameras to monitor your house is commendable.
Have you converted your S&K house to double compartments to improve the odds that purple martins will select your house and stay?
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.