Martin Colony History: 2018- visitors only 2019- 8 pair, fledged 32 2020- 18 pair, fledged 91 2021- Also host 1 pair of bluebirds and barn swallows Every year. Avg. 3-5 fledglings each annually.
My founding pair were ASY martins. go figure? The male is particularly territorial and an all around bully. He still is to this day. Our first season together he had me cussing mad trying to solve his issue with porch dominance. He refused to let another male martin sit on "his" house! And so it was, after several failed attempts to solve the problem he won. I eventually got a few pair on the other side of the house after he had babies to help tend to, and he chilled out some. But I lost a whole side of the house to 1 mean old bird! The porch dominance thing had me stumped.
After several months of kicking thoughts around post season, I had an idea! What if I could let him "think" he had the whole side of the house to himself, while giving the other martins access to those vacant cavities? Why that would be a win win for everyone. Including me and my "bully" martin. My idea was to cut new entry points allowing access to vacant rooms and seal off the whole front of the house save 1 room. And low and behold, to my surprise it worked!!
I also enlarged all compartments and even added WEP(wing entrapment protectors) from PMCA for good measure. I don't think the house will outlast the modifications I put into it. But I don't regret it. I learned so much through that ordeal. About martins and myself. Just thought I'd share my story. Maybe it will help some one, or even just entertain.
Martin Colony History: 2018- visitors only 2019- 8 pair, fledged 32 2020- 18 pair, fledged 91 2021- Also host 1 pair of bluebirds and barn swallows Every year. Avg. 3-5 fledglings each annually.
Well done. That is a great mod and the WEG were a smart move.
I just put the same house together last night I had a spare tri tel pole so figured why not the sub adults might like it. I did expand all the rooms and was surprised how big the attic compartments were. i plugged the attics on my other s&k house they were just too small and narrow I felt. I have 22 birds now and am not sure how many more ASY birds will arrive in the next few weeks.
I might get the porch separators before I put it up so I don’t have the same issue.
Stacy B,
How do you do nest checks and clean the rooms on compartments 1 and 2 (the attic rooms)? I covered the entrances to mine with screen to allow ventilation, but to keep sparrows and wasps from building nests in them. It was impossible to do nest checks, apply sevin dust, and clean them out at the end of the season.
Martin Colony History: 2018- visitors only 2019- 8 pair, fledged 32 2020- 18 pair, fledged 91 2021- Also host 1 pair of bluebirds and barn swallows Every year. Avg. 3-5 fledglings each annually.
Agreed.
The attic compartments are a pain. I use a flashlight and a telescoping mirror to check things out and have a teaspoon with a LONG handle to apply Devin dust. I also have small tongs (similar to bbq utensil) that I can reach in there if I need. For clean outs I just peel up the roof some and shove my hand in there pulling everything out. Then hose it out.
I am aware of the issues with those compartments, and I promised myself I would close them up the first time I have trouble. But my birds go for them early on and babies fledge he before it gets hot.
I'm hard headed I guess.
nice job Stacy! I also have this house given to me by a neighbor. I will eventually
remodel it similar to how you did it. I figured I would cut a new end wall and
hinge them to enable a nest change. Sometimes this summer.
.... Great Job..... Stacy B., ,,,, Sometimes you just have to make another way, to keep peace in the Martins neighborhood. Good thinking out of the box.... Enjoy you 2021 season..
