resubmitting as having trouble with this site.
Hi everyone,
I am a brand new PM landlord. I put up a pole and four vertical troyer gourds in March. Played the cds for weeks. Finally gave up the begining of May. Sure enough about 10 days later I saw one male checking the site out. The following week I had 4-5 checking the gourds out. They kept coming so I added more horizontal gourds. Then more came and I'm up to 10 gourds. As of 6/21/25 I had 36 eggs and 1 hatchling. 9 gourds are occupied. I got super busy and didnt check them as recommended in July and now the babies are at the entrance. As a newbie I am inclined to leave them be (as far a lowering the gourds and checking the nests). I don't have plugs for the entrances. I check on them from the ground and from binoculars every day. All looks good. There is a ton of activity and I love watching them.
Is this ok? I feel I will be better prepared next year.
Does anyone use cameras in the nests?
Should i prepare for having an additional pole next year? and a feeding station?
I need more owl guards. Do they go on the horizontal gourds as well?
I feel so blessed. I did not expect this much activity the first year.
We live on about 20 acres with most of it fields that we mow twice per year. And we have animals so lots of bugs!
newbie from Maryland
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rdouglass07
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2025 3:34 pm
- Location: Dayton, MD
- Martin Colony History: 2025 first year, 10 gourds (4 vertical, 6 horizontal). 9 occupied.
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Mstan
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2024 7:52 pm
- Location: Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2023- 2 racks. 24 gourds
2024- 2 racks.28 gourds. 100 fledged
2025- 3 racks. 24 gourds,6 chirpy nest.105 fledged.
This is great. Congrats on the start of your colony. If you have filled 9 of 10 gourds and you’re willing, I believe you would be safe to add another rack. It sounds like you have a prime spot. Enjoy the rest of your season.
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rdouglass07
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2025 3:34 pm
- Location: Dayton, MD
- Martin Colony History: 2025 first year, 10 gourds (4 vertical, 6 horizontal). 9 occupied.
Mstan,
Thanks for the reply. When I add another setup should I put it near the existing one? I have an option of putting one in an entirely different field if that would please the martins more.
Thanks for the reply. When I add another setup should I put it near the existing one? I have an option of putting one in an entirely different field if that would please the martins more.
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rdouglass07
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2025 3:34 pm
- Location: Dayton, MD
- Martin Colony History: 2025 first year, 10 gourds (4 vertical, 6 horizontal). 9 occupied.
answered my own question. they like the colony best. been researching owl protection and like the cage idea presented by @nikkismom on youtube. lots to learn.