Gourd Rack Placement

[frankw1]

Hi All,

New to the group, and have been educating myself for last several months and received a gourd rack for Christmas. Thank you for all the great information here!

I'm planning to set the post this weekend and complete the assembly over coming days, but need some advice, and know I've come to the right place.

(see attached photo) My preference is to place it in position A along the fenceline for tidiness purposes (easier to mow around, etc.) However, this position allows for only about 28' of clearance form the nearest treeline. You'll note this position is about 70' from the guest house in the back. I learned they like to be near houses/people.

Am I better to just be done with it and place it near position B in the middle of the yard that has plenty of clearance in all directions and is about 56' from house.

Or am I overthinking it and should just put the thing up already?

[C.C.Martins]

Firstly welcome and yes, you are in the right place! Martins are what we do.
Well beautiful place!!
My two cents: id place it where plan b is located. First consideration is the b location gives them a clear fly way and a split second head start from attacks from hawks, 2 is there may be less snake attacks. 3rd is its a gourd rack, you'll need to check it safely so the fence may be in your way. As far as cleaning up, general yard work you can mow and edge right around your martins, after they get used to you they barely flinch.
Lastly they do like to see us around, so you may get some inputs to move it closer to the pool area. Consider them family and bring them close to your every day activity.
Put in a good strong base, its the foundation of your system.
Again, welcome!
Tom

[Les Frampton]

I also would use position B for similar reasons. We’ve had martins successfully for 30+ years, welcome.

[Thomabear]

Position A may attract martins but owl/hawk/snake attacks will be un-willfully encouraged and unfortunately usually happens soon after a growing colony gets established. You don't want to go through all the trouble of growing your colony with each succeeding year only to have to start over in position B wishing you would have started there in the first place. Martins choose housing close to homes and humans because they see this as safety from predators. I would definitely start in position B verses the worry about potentially starting over. Good Luck!

[white-out]

Can't add anything more but what a great looking place! I would hate to roof it tho..lol

Good luck and lots of questions are sure to follow if you really get into it.

[G Saner]

Frank,

As others have suggested, "B" is the better option. If anything, I would move it a little further from the trees (hawk hiding place) and a little closer to the pool. As Tom stated, placing the pole on the fence line could cause a problem with lowering it for nest checks but also makes it hard to correctly attach a predator guard that is a must. I also noticed you have room to add more racks to the top of the picture. Your site is very good and should attract martins the first year as you are in a good area for martins.

[Whippy]

I concur that position B is the best place. If you put it too close tot the woods you'll most likely not experience any success.

Rockwall has a lot of Martins and I suspect you'll get a pair or two this year.


Good luck to you.

Coolwhips

[CTMartins]

I fail to understand why a house with a pool is not an option for them?

[C.C.Martins]

If I thought martins would like a pool, Id give them a pool. If they wanted a house, Id ask what color.

[Jones4381]

Spot B! But anywhere is badass on that property. I just ordered a 24 super gourd system to replace my cheap SK poles and set up. Welcome and preferences be damned...these folks know their stuff in here and thanks for the best 'mock up' I've ever seen on someones first post.

[C.C.Martins]

Yeah, was rushed in my reply, didnt mean to be flippant. Bobba Fett was on sorry.

Martins like to be near people, I received two big trio systems complete with everything you could want from cement to traps. He had a big colony but sparrows were wiping them out.
In my small opinion it was too far from his living area and house. They had free reign.

People and our activity are a draw to them, they feel safe. You are just starting out, give them a chance at a likely spot and it just may work out in your favor.

You are in a martin rich area, sounds like a good system, we just want you to be successful, and a good landlord for the species.

[flyin-lowe]

My thoughts are like most others, as far from the tree line as possible. The other thing to consider is, is the layout of your house. You will want then housing in an area where you can easily see it out of a window or patio door etc. As far as ease of mowing, etc. I think having it away from the fence would be easier, but I am not sure what you do to mow near your fence etc. I have all my housing systems in the ground and about a 3 foot circle of river rock around them, that way I can buzz around them in the mower and not have to get too close to worry about hitting the poles.

[frankw1]

Based upon the advice I received here, I decided to move the rack to position C, closer to the pool and houses. It is now up and I like the look of it! Thanks

I also made sure my foundation was best it could be. I went 36" deep and 16" wide.

[Dave Reynolds]

.... frankw1 .... It looks great setting there. I want to wish you good luck this season... Thanks for taking the advice from all those who answered your post,, There is a lot of knowledge here from a lot of Landlords. Take their advice wisely, and continue to ask questions, this is a super Forum...

Dave

[C.C.Martins]

Sir, that looks fantastic! I think you made a great choice in location and foundation.
Wish I got that for x-mas!
Soon you will start to see arrivals, so please keep an eye to the sky and out on your system.
And please let us know how its all going, ask questions all want you to succeed.
Tom

[Whippy]

Great location.

As addictive as this is, I wager that you'll expand to 16 to 24 gourds in the next two years. I started with a 16 gourd rack and now have 44 cavities and I am about to put up another 4.

One last thing. Looking at the overhead and seeing the woods lining hour property you might be well advised to put snake netting on your pole. Rat snakes will find the gourds at some point.

I look forward to seeing photos of your martins.

Coolwhips

[CTMartins]

They might get lotta action by the pool too. Some bugs like the salt from the pool.

[frankw1]

One last thing. Looking at the overhead and seeing the woods lining hour property you might be well advised to put snake netting on your pole. Rat snakes will find the gourds at some point.

OK, so I assume this means that the cylindrical guard I have installed isn't necessarily 100% foolproof against snakes? Though I have not seen any snakes on the property since I've been here, the area does have rat snakes... and I know how wily and agile those buggers can be

Kathy's snake net trap video watched and bird netting ordered!

[Whippy]

One last thing. Looking at the overhead and seeing the woods lining hour property you might be well advised to put snake netting on your pole. Rat snakes will find the gourds at some point.

OK, so I assume this means that the cylindrical guard I have installed isn't necessarily 100% foolproof against snakes? Though I have not seen any snakes on the property since I've been here, the area does have rat snakes... and I know how wily and agile those buggers can be

Kathy's snake net trap video watched and bird netting ordered!

That's a good move, Frank. Those rat snakes don't need much in the way of traction. There has been statements on how they have circumvented the predator guards and I've seen one climb up a wall. They have a long reach and can get around things pretty well. Here's one climbing a tree.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c1f8HkNqZs

Coolwhips