They finally like the T-14 !

[Birdiegirl]

This will be our fourth year hosting martins. In an attempt to start/build our colony, we offered a variety of housing- S&K barns, Bo 9 gourds, and a T-14 we built ourselves (with guidance from many of you!). To date, the barns have been the preferred housing- with the birds squabbling for space there rather than for the T-14 that was built with so much love. Anyway- this year, I am happy to report that the T-14 seems to have most of the action!! I can hardly believe it, but we have around two dozen birds already, and the subadults aren't even here yet. We're hoping to eventually phase out the barn as we have already cut pieces to build a second T-14. Or maybe I'll just put up another pole......

[Hanover Bill]

I always wonder how they make their housing selection. I have a T14, a THG rack, and a TVG rack. They invariably fill the THG rack first, the TVG rack second, and there are always substantial vacancies in the T-14. I always wonder if it is the location, the particular type of owl guards I have on the T-14, or some other selection method they use. I feel certain if I replaced the T-14, and the TVG gourds with THG's I would increase my colony numbers.

Hanover Bill

[SSMartin]

Interesting, at my site the TVG always seem to be chosen over the THG. I also have a modified barn that is always used. I repainted it this year as the sun was getting to it.

This season I put up 18 bo axis in horizontal mode between two established racks. I think like two are being used. I’m sure they will eventually come around.

[Unk Bond]

Hello
Same here
I have 3-- T14 houses 2 homemade and one T14 poly wood
And 18 gourds

For some reason My birds are not interested in a gourd
My first birds go to my T14 poly wood house first [ Could be that was there home last year. [ Later