My martins seem so vulnerable when they roost at night in a one entrance compartment. I am wondering if any of the creative landlords have ever tried a double entrance.
I saw a pair of martins nest in an old stop light at a busy intersection many years ago. The nest was built on the protruding cone in front of the green light. So martins can be creative.
Rear and Front Entrances.
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3789
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
The would be more vulnerable with multiple entrances, they typically nest in the back of the compartment away from the entrance to keep something from reach in and grabbing them. If there was an entrance at both ends the cavity would be very bright inside and I don't think they would use it. I also don't think they would ever figure out and "exit only" type flap at the back end of a cavity.
2026 HOSP 27
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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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
I agree with flyin-lowe,
With nest building near the back, an additional exit would expose them to predators. It is good to consider new advancements, but sometimes we need to look at all aspects of what is good and bad about the idea. I have done some reseach at my own colony with extremely deep compartments, 18 inches deep with troyer tunnels attached at the front. In tese 6 experimental cavities, the martins have always built their nests at the far back portion of the cavity.
With nest building near the back, an additional exit would expose them to predators. It is good to consider new advancements, but sometimes we need to look at all aspects of what is good and bad about the idea. I have done some reseach at my own colony with extremely deep compartments, 18 inches deep with troyer tunnels attached at the front. In tese 6 experimental cavities, the martins have always built their nests at the far back portion of the cavity.
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bstump
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 9:51 pm
- Location: SW OH
- Martin Colony History: 2018: 40 cavities - 39 active nests - 204 eggs - 175 fledged
2019: 42 cavities - 39 active nests - 209 eggs - 152 fledged
I altered an old Trio house from 6" cavities to 12"cavities by adding a SREH to one side and a "plugged" round hole to the other side after removing the center divider. The "plug" fell out and the martins used the round hole entrance as the front and built a mud dam against the SREH in the back to close it off. So far it has worked fine.