I need a pep talk from you experienced landlords

[BillieJR]

Ok - so I have been trying to start a colony for several years and I've had many visitors so far in the past 2 or 3 weeks which is exciting. And I've had one pair actually stay overnight but then they were gone the next day. I have had an ASY male here off and on, checking my gourds, but he just won't go in. The gourds all have SREH and he gets part way in and then backs out every time. Now - my common sense tells me that I've had ASY males go into these gourds in the past. Just a couple weeks ago that one pair that stayed overnight went in - no trouble. But this fella - I think it's the same one but I have no clue if it is or not - he keeps trying the various gourds and then eventually, it's like he's tired of trying, and leaves. My desperation in wanting purple martins to come and stay is getting in the way of my common sense. I've only seen a couple of starlings since I put up the gourds last month - however I know it's possible there have been many more when I wasn't looking. So I know the SREH is the way to go - but part of me wonders if I just remove one of them to get a martin to come and stay and hopefully bring more with him - should I do that? Or will I wish I hadn't? Desperation is an evil thing and can make us do stupid things. Thanks.

[randyM]

You could try removing the SREH entrances from one or two of the gourds the ASY seems to have been investigating the most. If a starling shows up, chase it away or shoot it with a pellet gun if possible. If the martin checks out the round hole gourds and starlings persist, you can reinstall the SRE entrances and perhaps the martin will then enter through the SREH once it has entered the gourd through a round hole. I don't think you have much to loose by trying. I have all round holes at my site and am able to keep starlings and house sparrows at bay by shooting them.

Randy

[BillieJR]

Thanks, randym!!! I appreciate your reply! I am really tempted to do that. Like you said - I can always replace what I take off. Thanks, again!

[dsonyay]

Ok - so I have been trying to start a colony for several years and I've had many visitors so far in the past 2 or 3 weeks which is exciting. And I've had one pair actually stay overnight but then they were gone the next day. I have had an ASY male here off and on, checking my gourds, but he just won't go in. The gourds all have SREH and he gets part way in and then backs out every time. Now - my common sense tells me that I've had ASY males go into these gourds in the past. Just a couple weeks ago that one pair that stayed overnight went in - no trouble. But this fella - I think it's the same one but I have no clue if it is or not - he keeps trying the various gourds and then eventually, it's like he's tired of trying, and leaves. My desperation in wanting purple martins to come and stay is getting in the way of my common sense. I've only seen a couple of starlings since I put up the gourds last month - however I know it's possible there have been many more when I wasn't looking. So I know the SREH is the way to go - but part of me wonders if I just remove one of them to get a martin to come and stay and hopefully bring more with him - should I do that? Or will I wish I hadn't? Desperation is an evil thing and can make us do stupid things. Thanks.

I would change some to round hole to see if that helps.. but the sreh crescent opening should be fine. They may seem to not fit but I think they’re just careful about new housing. Mine do the same.. they go part ways in and pop out (new martins). But they always end up getting in.

Maybe try differEnt style sreh openings too. Keep trying.

[BillieJR]

Thank you, dsonyay! It makes me feel so much better having the opinions of you all who have had this same experience. I am assuming this particular martin isn't familiar with these entrances and is apprehensive to go all the way in. I will see what tomorrow brings. I just hate to let my chance to get at least one to stay slip away if there's something I can do about it or at least try. Thanks again for your opinion and advice. It's very much appreciated.

[SoIndyDon]

Good answers to your question, but I might add - what are other landlords using in your area? If round entrances, then start with round as suggested. Where I am, the Amish use round holes. That's what I started with for 2-3 years then went to Clinger entrances. That worked fine for 2 colonies that I started.

[BillieJR]

Thanks for your question, SoIndyDon! The answer is - we don't have a lot of martins nearby so I am not sure. The nearest ones are off the road far enough that I can't tell, even with binoculars, if they are SREHs or round. I am thinking round. My friend who lives about 12 miles away has round - and he has many martins. If I could use a bb gun, it would be a different story - but that's not an option for me.

This pair of martins that stopped by this morning and are here right now are not having an issue with going into the SREHs at all. Both the male and female are sliding right in. So that makes me feel much better.

Thanks again, for your response.

[Rick B]

What of gourds do you have and what kind of SREH are you using? When they are checking the place out it looks like they don't fit, same with the blue birds and tree swallows when looking in a round hole.
I would also try the round hole and see what happens. Just keep an eye on things, starlings seem to looking all the time and will find it quickly .

Rick

[BillieJR]

Thanks for replying, Rick B! I have Super Gourds with adapter plate w/Troyer tunnels and also Troyer horizontals with Conley2s.

I'm hesitant to remove any of the SREH's after having a starling issue this morning, for the first time ever since I've had SREHs. And since I saw the pair that was here this morning zip in and out of the SREHs, I am just going to sit tight for now and wait it out a little. I may change my mind tomorrow. haha!

[flyin-lowe]

How long is “several years”? I have started two colonies in what would be considered by most as ideal conditions. Open site, quality housing, large bodies of water near by, and active colonies in the general area. Both times it was the 5th year before I would say established.
Often times visiting martins will peak into cavities when checking out a new location. I have seen them do the same thing with round holes, go half in to take a look and not fully enter.

After obsessing trying to start my first colony my life was much better starting the second. I set the housing up, kept competitors out, and let the rest happen naturally. I learned it just takes the right pair to like your colony. The constant checking,, wandering, and worrying did nothing but turn my hair gray.
You have to remember, naturally martins prefer to nest in colonies. So even if a young pair is looking for a place to live they will choose an active colony more times than not. Eventually you will get a pair that couldn’t work their way into an active colony or doesn’t like something about the other nearby colonies they checked out.

I know it’s easier said then done but my experience/life was more enjoyable when I just put my housing up and let things happen at the second colony then trying to make every single thing perfect and obsess over it like I did when I was starting my first colony.

[BillieJR]

Hi flyin-lowe - several years means - I believe this season is the 5th season with gourds. I have had 2 houses for years and years - and actually had a colony for several years and then they just eventually didn't come back. I blame myself for some of that - it was before I learned about predator guards so I am thinking that may have had something to do with it. I now only use my houses to trap sparrows. Where they are, there are too many bushes growing up near them so it's not safe for them to be used, plus they are the 12 rooms which are smaller. But they make good sparrow traps.

Thanks for the advice. While I'm always disappointed when I have visitors that don't stay, it seems I'm getting less and less worried about it. About all I can do is what I'm already doing. Offering good housing for them while keeping the the competition at bay.......and then letting nature take its course. I just wish it would take its course soon. haha!

Thanks again!

[dsonyay]

Thank you, dsonyay! It makes me feel so much better having the opinions of you all who have had this same experience. I am assuming this particular martin isn't familiar with these entrances and is apprehensive to go all the way in. I will see what tomorrow brings. I just hate to let my chance to get at least one to stay slip away if there's something I can do about it or at least try. Thanks again for your opinion and advice. It's very much appreciated.

Yeah.. he’ll go in eventually…. But in the meantime change a couple of entrances to round holes… you’ll likely notice the same thing…. Lots of peeking in halfway attempts. Good luck!!