My first arrival was April 7 one male then another, a few days later another male, and then a female. As of today April 26, I have seen at my gourds 6 birds. I have 24 gourds of which 12 are new replacement gourds with the Extruder II openings. I see some of the martins looking into them but not going in. My other gourds have the crescent openings which the martins are going in, the Extruder II gourds replaced 12 gourds that had the round openings and I had problems with starlings going in and got tired of them so they were replaced.
I received an email from Songbirds Essentials stating that some of their Extruder gourd openings were not the correct size and should be 1 3/16" I measured a few and they just measure 1 3/16" but like I stated the martins look but don't enter, so I wanted to know if anyone else has this same problem. Also, are you seeing fewer martins this year than last?
April 26, 2024 only a few martins so far
-
C.C.Martins
- Posts: 2710
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024:
HOSP: 28 Starlings: 20
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 36 PMCA excluder gourds, 6 room trio mini castle with troyer tunnels and enlarged compartments.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024
PMCA member
Good morning, like you am using the excluder gourds. Have excluder and excluder II openings. Found about the problem during off season fortunately and fixed it.
In your case, it sounds like they are just gravitating to the crescent openings as its easier and familiar.
I'd double check all the gourds and remove any excess material you see, (I had 24 gourds to adjust, took forever), that will set your mind at rest.
It takes a bit for them to adjust to the openings, but adjust they will. Our public site has many SY birds that took to the excluder II opening.
I applaud your choice, starlings will come by and look, then take off.
I'm in deep south texas, so speaking to subbie arrival being late may be off, but I can say they are here in force and creating their normal havoc.
Think your martins will be fine, just double check.
One PS: the porch height off the entrance is important, too low (drilled into the supplied dimples) and they will really struggle. Flush with or 1/8 inch below the entrance.
In your case, it sounds like they are just gravitating to the crescent openings as its easier and familiar.
I'd double check all the gourds and remove any excess material you see, (I had 24 gourds to adjust, took forever), that will set your mind at rest.
It takes a bit for them to adjust to the openings, but adjust they will. Our public site has many SY birds that took to the excluder II opening.
I applaud your choice, starlings will come by and look, then take off.
I'm in deep south texas, so speaking to subbie arrival being late may be off, but I can say they are here in force and creating their normal havoc.
Think your martins will be fine, just double check.
One PS: the porch height off the entrance is important, too low (drilled into the supplied dimples) and they will really struggle. Flush with or 1/8 inch below the entrance.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
Thanks, I followed the instructions that came with the Extruder gourds. Hopefully, when more come they will use them.
2013-4 gourds 4 pair
2014-12 gourds 7 nesting pair, 32 fledged
2015-24 gourds 21 nesting pair 79 fledged
2016-24 gourds 21 nesting pair 89 fledged
2014-12 gourds 7 nesting pair, 32 fledged
2015-24 gourds 21 nesting pair 79 fledged
2016-24 gourds 21 nesting pair 89 fledged
-
Jones4381
- Posts: 646
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:54 pm
- Location: Rocky Mount VA
- Martin Colony History: 60 gourds
2020- visitors
2021- 1 pair
2022- 5 pair
2023 34 pair
It's always interesting to see which gourds are chosen. I have 6 types of gourds and 4 types of openings and it's always interesting to observe and see which gourd is taken. With the 6 excluder gourds and the modified/II, I witness their peering into but not going in early on but in the end get occupied and chosen. Currently 2 of the 6 have been claimed and other Excluders entered into. I think they are excellent choices with the room inside and quality.
No Subs here yet but typically arrive Late April to early/mid May here. Good luck and with the 80's rolling into the area the next 5 days, I'm expecting a purple wave of the "marauders" , as I call em, to create a little controversy amongst the ranks... Their arrival and disruption is actually my favorite part of the season as the true pecking order gets established and numbers bring calm/satisfaction to our efforts to provide the optimal housing and a potential home for the non-established. It's a great honor to be chosen by a subbie imo... new tenants more chaos.
No Subs here yet but typically arrive Late April to early/mid May here. Good luck and with the 80's rolling into the area the next 5 days, I'm expecting a purple wave of the "marauders" , as I call em, to create a little controversy amongst the ranks... Their arrival and disruption is actually my favorite part of the season as the true pecking order gets established and numbers bring calm/satisfaction to our efforts to provide the optimal housing and a potential home for the non-established. It's a great honor to be chosen by a subbie imo... new tenants more chaos.
"Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you." - Lao Tzu