Nest trays for Lone Star Alamo
-
Guest
Hi - just got a new Lone Star Alamo for Christmas and am setting it up a ways from my Trio (successful last couple of years, at 50% occupancy so understand I should get more housing). Nest trays are available at 6.95 per which seems steep. Does anyone have a good alternative? I have trays in my Trio which seem to work fine. Does that rubbery shelf liner stuff work, or would it be "too good" for the mites? I think I should have something so that the little ones could get traction on the floor.
-
Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Hi Susan -
You can make good, lightweight nest trays that are easy to clean or simply replace by using foamboard. The foam sheet insulation comes in blue or pink, is 1/2 inch thick, and is available at home improvement stores, etc.
Cut pieces with a jigsaw (you can also use a straight edge and a mat knife to score and snap into rectangles for the floors, then cut smaller strips for side panels, if you don't have a jigsaw) and assemble with hot glue. Make a few extras for quick changes if one tray becomes wet or very dirty or buggy.
My friend John Barrow uses the same foam to make liners for the access caps on his gourds, to help insulate the martins from the hot TX sun.
Starlings or House Sparrows will tear the material up quickly, by the way. Some landlords like to cut a bowl shape in the floor of the tray, but we just add some pine straw or other nest material. These have worked very well. They offer some insulation during cooler weather, make nest checks easier since you can slide them out, and are easy to clean too.
Hope this info helps -
Louise
You can make good, lightweight nest trays that are easy to clean or simply replace by using foamboard. The foam sheet insulation comes in blue or pink, is 1/2 inch thick, and is available at home improvement stores, etc.
Cut pieces with a jigsaw (you can also use a straight edge and a mat knife to score and snap into rectangles for the floors, then cut smaller strips for side panels, if you don't have a jigsaw) and assemble with hot glue. Make a few extras for quick changes if one tray becomes wet or very dirty or buggy.
My friend John Barrow uses the same foam to make liners for the access caps on his gourds, to help insulate the martins from the hot TX sun.
Starlings or House Sparrows will tear the material up quickly, by the way. Some landlords like to cut a bowl shape in the floor of the tray, but we just add some pine straw or other nest material. These have worked very well. They offer some insulation during cooler weather, make nest checks easier since you can slide them out, and are easy to clean too.
Hope this info helps -
Louise
-
apundt-TX
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:34 pm
- Location: Pflugerville, Texas
- Martin Colony History: :
2022-1 pair
1 pair 2021
2020- Didn't get setup fast enough in Pflugerville
2019- Apartment
2018 Divorce lost Colony in Dripping Springs
19 pair 2017
17 pair 2015
12 pair 2014
8 pair 2013
5 pair 2012
2 pair 2011
hello neighbor.
What part of drippin do you live at? I live in Big Country on Fitzhugh half way between RR12 and 290.
A.P.
What part of drippin do you live at? I live in Big Country on Fitzhugh half way between RR12 and 290.
A.P.
-
Guest
Thanks for the nest tray help - we even have some of that stuff laying around the barn! Sounds a lot better than 6.95 times 14!
-
Craig Haddox
- Posts: 444
- Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:13 pm
- Location: Missouri Washington
Susan, I also use foam board nest tray's it work's great. As for the trio house if you are not using porch dividers try them they will help with your occupancy. Good luck this year.
-
John Barrow
- Posts: 982
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 4:12 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi / Sandia , Texas
Susan,
Cut your alamo nestboxes out of foam board. One half inch-pink at home depot, blue at lowes, your choice. Make them smaller than the 6x12 inch cavity. Cut the bottom 5 and 7/8 by 11 and 7/8. Use a straight board for a straight edge, scor along the edge with a pocket knife, then pop the board open.
For the front and back sides, they will be 5 and 7/8 inches long and 3 inches deep. The sides will be 4 and 3/4 inches long and 2 and 1/2 inches deep. This intentionally shortens the nesting area to leave more room in front for when the nestlings are older and staying near the entrance to await food. These are my measurements after 4 years of successful use. Hot glue on the back, hold it down tight, then the two sides--hold them down, and finally the front and compress everything together for a few seconds. Make a few extras and either clean or toss them at the year's end. Martins will scratch out a bowl at the back and peck at the sides; starlings will shred the hole nestbox, sparrows have never bothered mine.
I use these for reasons of weight reduction. Lonestar nestboxes weigh about a pound each or 14 pounds for your alamo. That is alot of weight to raise and lower, to blow around in the wind, etc. The foam nestboxes don't weigh a pound put together. Plus there are other good reasons that Louise mentioned.
I have made over 30 this weekend--only 5 more to go. It took me 3 hours to make the 30.
Best wishes, john
Cut your alamo nestboxes out of foam board. One half inch-pink at home depot, blue at lowes, your choice. Make them smaller than the 6x12 inch cavity. Cut the bottom 5 and 7/8 by 11 and 7/8. Use a straight board for a straight edge, scor along the edge with a pocket knife, then pop the board open.
For the front and back sides, they will be 5 and 7/8 inches long and 3 inches deep. The sides will be 4 and 3/4 inches long and 2 and 1/2 inches deep. This intentionally shortens the nesting area to leave more room in front for when the nestlings are older and staying near the entrance to await food. These are my measurements after 4 years of successful use. Hot glue on the back, hold it down tight, then the two sides--hold them down, and finally the front and compress everything together for a few seconds. Make a few extras and either clean or toss them at the year's end. Martins will scratch out a bowl at the back and peck at the sides; starlings will shred the hole nestbox, sparrows have never bothered mine.
I use these for reasons of weight reduction. Lonestar nestboxes weigh about a pound each or 14 pounds for your alamo. That is alot of weight to raise and lower, to blow around in the wind, etc. The foam nestboxes don't weigh a pound put together. Plus there are other good reasons that Louise mentioned.
I have made over 30 this weekend--only 5 more to go. It took me 3 hours to make the 30.
Best wishes, john
~~TEAMED WITH A MARTIN GODDESS~~
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
Member/Mentor-PMCA. I do regular nestchecks and participate in PROJECT MARTINWATCH!! Coordinated 3 geolocator studies-2009, 2010 & 2013. State and Fed licensed bander (retired Jan., 2020)
-
Guest
Thanks for all the tips - we sure have some great people out there taking care of purple martins! I started my boxes this weekend as well, using foam board for the bottoms but am trying out the plastic corrugated board from old political signs for the sides in an effort to give as much room as possible on the sides. I will use the measurements from you, John, for guidance so thank you. I will let you all know how the old sign board goes for the sides.