Hi Everyone,
I am getting ready to setup my martin house again. We had moved several years ago and I am now finally getting around to setting up the house. At our last house we had martins for about 5 years; I have really missed them. During the summer I frequently see martins in our present neighborhood but I don?t know where or how big the colony is.
So, here is my question. I live in St. Charles, MO. I have looked at the migration map but am not quite sure when I should open my house. Can anyone tell me if they have spotted the first martins in this area and what date they would suggest I open up? Thanks in advance for any help.
And now from the ?O-Gees? department: Opened the garage door this morning and all of a sudden started to hear a screeching sound of metal. Apparently last night when I was working on the Trio I didn?t quite put it out of the way of the garage door. When the door went up this morning it smashed in the porches on one side. So looks like I have a little repair work ahead.
The question that comes up is sparrow and starling control..Some people are unable to monitor the house, so they leave the house closed until their martins return..In your case, you can either wait until you see martins, or take a chance and open it now..Sooner or later the sparrow & starling problem will occur at your place.
My suggestion is to try to trap or shoot the S&S, and open the house up now. To help control starlings, put the SREH (starling resistent entry holes) on your housing, as you will surely be bothered by starlings.
Did you look at the Scout Report, there is a block at the top of this page, click on it and click on Mo? The scout report may help you
Some people start new locations with SREH, some like round holes, so it partly depends upon how many starlings you have..If you have a lot of starlings, I would start with SREH. Sooner or later, you will need to go to SREH anyway as starlings always seem to show up..
There are many stories floating around where people attracted 1 or 2 pairs, then the starlings came and killed them and took the martins housing...
A young martin is capable of learning how to enter an SREH. It may take them a few trys, it looks like they cannot get in, and they may get discouraged, but most keep trying until they learn to get in..
I can positively say that a young martin can get into a SREH anytime it really wants to..
I don't know whether they get discouraged or not, I doubt it..
Another question: I just ordered two Super Gourds with cresant intrance. Do I need to have porches on them? If so is there something I can make myself? Also, if I need them wonder why they just don't come with them
Martins learn to get in easier with porches, but some people use them without porches...its up to you.....also, if you decide to use porches, I am sure they are for sale where you bought the supergourds.
This is my first time to put up gourds or houses for martins so I made two gourds with round holes and the rest with crescent. I have one pair of martins staying in a gourd with crescent entry. they had no trouble at all. Henry
So looks like I have a little repair work ahead.