vertical gourds

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Stephen Thomas
Posts: 359
Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2003 8:24 am
Location: LeRoy/IL

Questin! I have noticed pictures of vertical gourds having round holes. Can a person use a obround hole with a porch as well? I guess it is a preference of ones choice. Or is there a down side using obrounds on a vertical gourd with a porch. I do have starlings and sparrows in the area. I got rid of 6 starlings and 5 sparrows during the Spring and then they stopped coming to my place. I guess the word got out It was not the place to go.

Had a pair of martins visit me this fall for a couple of days. Then gone. I they come back next year. Since this was my 3 rd year trying.

Thanks in advance for any comments. :)
Steve Thomas (LeRoy,Il) trying since 2003, visitors 2006 & 2007 had 1 visitor.
2009 had 6 visitors, 3ASY & 3females(1 male serious)
2010 1ASY male & 1ASYfemale, May 9, 2010 I became a landlord
2011 They came back. Got cold .they left. Never came back. starting over.
2012 1 came by. 2013 (0)
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Emil Pampell-Tx
Posts: 6743
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas

I think that it is an excellent idea to use porches with a SREH, as it allows the martins to learn to use them quicker. Also, make sure that there is very good traction on the porch. It is important to keep the porch very near to the hole, say about 1/4inch from the hole, and that may help keep out the starlings. Starlings can learn to get into an obround hole if they try hard enough, so that is a slight drawback to usiing that type of entrance.

My suggestion is to continue trying, and your plan seems to be OK.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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