starlings, Martins and SREH's
-
Don Ricketson
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2004 7:46 pm
- Location: Texas/Llano
I've been having starling problems. Last week I found a dead Martin in a cavity that a starling had claimed. I'm sure that the starling killed it. I have 2 Trio 8 Granma houses. I decided to install SREH doors that I got from PMCA. Ever since then my Martins try to wiggle and squirm into them, but I haven't seen any of them finally gain entrance. They've been roosting on the porches because they can't get inside. Anybody know what gives? Are my Martins too big or, are the cresants to small or what. I'm afraid they're going to leave if they can't get inside. It's been about a week now. Don.
Have two Trio Gramma (T8) Modified aluminum houses and a 4 Nature Gourd Rack about 40 ft. from my back door. Use S&S sparrow trap.
Landlord since 1999.
Landlord since 1999.
-
Craig Haddox
- Posts: 444
- Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:13 pm
- Location: Missouri Washington
Don, put some traction tape by the entrance's. That will help alot.
I would suggest taping the insides of the compartments also. The slick metal and plastic floors make it hard for PM's and babies especially if you have some that don't build a very big nest. I get the stuff you stick on the bath tub or shower floors in hardware section of stores. Got my metal houses copartments covered with traction tape and 1/4" wooden floor inserts due I had an outward leg syndrome. You can measure you SREHs they should be 30 to 30.5 MM at the center (1 3/16")
-
Guest
Don,
I changed mine out a couple of years ago. It seemed like they would never get back in.... they learned after about a day.
I've finally got my PMs coming back. Theres atleast one, who seems as though he has never seen one before. The female plops in and he squirms around a few seconds to get in. I believe that they will learn, as others I have go in with no problem. It's like they are there one second and gone the next!!!
Chuck
I changed mine out a couple of years ago. It seemed like they would never get back in.... they learned after about a day.
I've finally got my PMs coming back. Theres atleast one, who seems as though he has never seen one before. The female plops in and he squirms around a few seconds to get in. I believe that they will learn, as others I have go in with no problem. It's like they are there one second and gone the next!!!
Chuck
-
Guest
Hello neighbor!
I had same problem last year when I changed to SREH after my martins had already arrived. I finally switched back to round holes on that house and the martins returned to it. I left SREHs on other houses and new arrivals took to them. I think the problem is caused by changing the entrance after martins have selected the house.
This year all my houses have SREH entrances and all have martins in them.
If you leave the SREH entrances on, I hope that you have converted your house to larger nest units. Current thinking is that you must enlarge for SREHs because martins build big nests that can partially block the entrance.
I had same problem last year when I changed to SREH after my martins had already arrived. I finally switched back to round holes on that house and the martins returned to it. I left SREHs on other houses and new arrivals took to them. I think the problem is caused by changing the entrance after martins have selected the house.
This year all my houses have SREH entrances and all have martins in them.
If you leave the SREH entrances on, I hope that you have converted your house to larger nest units. Current thinking is that you must enlarge for SREHs because martins build big nests that can partially block the entrance.
-
Guest
RC Moser
I hope you are still watching this subject. I want to caution you about using wood as a subfloor. I did that in a plastic house last year and when it got wet it warped real bad. It was less than 1/4" thick, but I think 1/4" could warp. You might ask the experts.
I hope you are still watching this subject. I want to caution you about using wood as a subfloor. I did that in a plastic house last year and when it got wet it warped real bad. It was less than 1/4" thick, but I think 1/4" could warp. You might ask the experts.
-
Don Ricketson
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2004 7:46 pm
- Location: Texas/Llano
Thanks all for the replies. I'll try the tape. Has anyone ever tried Velcro or do you think they might get tangled up in it. I have to go tro Dallas for a few days starting wednesday. Sure would like to see them enter before I leave.
Hi grandmac.2. What part of Tow do you live in? I see lots of PM houses around the Buchanan Lake area. Like everywhere else some of them look well attended and some have all the doors buldging out with sparrow next. I sure wish there was a way to get everyone on the Forum so they could learn from some who has been there and done that. If they just put up a house and don't take care of it, all they're doing is hatching out sparrows and starlings every year. Hope you have a good year grandmac.2. Don.
Hi grandmac.2. What part of Tow do you live in? I see lots of PM houses around the Buchanan Lake area. Like everywhere else some of them look well attended and some have all the doors buldging out with sparrow next. I sure wish there was a way to get everyone on the Forum so they could learn from some who has been there and done that. If they just put up a house and don't take care of it, all they're doing is hatching out sparrows and starlings every year. Hope you have a good year grandmac.2. Don.
Have two Trio Gramma (T8) Modified aluminum houses and a 4 Nature Gourd Rack about 40 ft. from my back door. Use S&S sparrow trap.
Landlord since 1999.
Landlord since 1999.
. I think Death Valley gotten more rain. 
-
RandallRash
- Posts: 196
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 5:52 pm
- Location: TX/Rockwall
After watching a few Martins getting halfway in and backing out I simply relied on the experience of other forum members who just said "give 'em time, the'll get in". Now I'd swear they tuck their wings and slide in across the porch on their bellies they get in so fast. All my 16 gourds and 12 modified Trio Castle doores are crescents.