The new PMCA excluder gourds look nice but I wonder........
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geneinmurphy
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- Joined: Thu Nov 27, 2003 12:09 pm
- Location: North Carolina/Murphy
about the distance between the porch and the bottom of the entrance, which in the pictures appears to be at leat 1/4" or more. Usually when using ecluder entrances you want the bottom of the entrance about 1/8 or 3/16" above the porch.......wonder if the gap on the new gourds is too much or maybe they're adjustable?????
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Louise Chambers
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Hi Gene,
The porches can be set wherever you like them, but the manufacturer tested with porches at 5/8 inch and likes that height best. Duke Snyder came up with original Excluder entrance in 1999; the Excluder gourds are his product. And whereas crescent SREH originator Charles McEwen specified 1/4 inch or less for space between floor/porch and bottom of entrance hole, Duke Snyder used 1/2 inch with Excluders on houses from the beginning with success. They can be mounted higher, but he has had very good results with his 5/8 inch spacing.
Landlords have found that there is a range of heights that will work and everyone seems to have their favorite. What it boils down to is landlords can place the porch at the mfgs. recommended height of 5/8 inch or place it as close as they like to bottom of entrance, or somewhere in between the two.
Louise
The porches can be set wherever you like them, but the manufacturer tested with porches at 5/8 inch and likes that height best. Duke Snyder came up with original Excluder entrance in 1999; the Excluder gourds are his product. And whereas crescent SREH originator Charles McEwen specified 1/4 inch or less for space between floor/porch and bottom of entrance hole, Duke Snyder used 1/2 inch with Excluders on houses from the beginning with success. They can be mounted higher, but he has had very good results with his 5/8 inch spacing.
Landlords have found that there is a range of heights that will work and everyone seems to have their favorite. What it boils down to is landlords can place the porch at the mfgs. recommended height of 5/8 inch or place it as close as they like to bottom of entrance, or somewhere in between the two.
Louise
Last edited by Louise Chambers on Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:26 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
I would like to concur with Louise. The short porch height (less that 1/4") is a necessity when dealing with a crescent. An excluder does not have this requirement. A starling's body is too big around to get in the restricted opening of an excluder. With a crescent they learn to turn their bodies sideways just a little and they can squeeze in. When the opening is set low their longer legs prevent them from performing this twisting maneuver (somehow)... 
We are still discovering all there is to know about these nest competitors and their sneaky little quirks. I just know from first hand unpleasant experiences that you "must" keep them out of the Purple Martin nest cavity.
Best of luck for a great season.
We are still discovering all there is to know about these nest competitors and their sneaky little quirks. I just know from first hand unpleasant experiences that you "must" keep them out of the Purple Martin nest cavity.
Best of luck for a great season.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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geneinmurphy
- Posts: 348
- Joined: Thu Nov 27, 2003 12:09 pm
- Location: North Carolina/Murphy
Laverne........my concern is that if the gap is 5/8" if the PM having such short legs would have difficulty entered an entrance that high up.....
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
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- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
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Gene,
Duke Snyder has years of testing with Excluders and 5/8 height (porch below entrance) is his preference, worked very well for him. But, of course landlords can place it higher if they wish. His suggestion of 5/8 is intended to help those who have not used Excluders before in where to place the porch.
Louise
Duke Snyder has years of testing with Excluders and 5/8 height (porch below entrance) is his preference, worked very well for him. But, of course landlords can place it higher if they wish. His suggestion of 5/8 is intended to help those who have not used Excluders before in where to place the porch.
Louise