My first 2 martins showed up yesterday, a day earlier than last year, problem is they have not gone in my new T-22 and are not really trying too hard yet.
Not sure where they spent the night but they were back this morning and they looked in a few holes but barely stuck there head in there.
My holes are 1 3/16 in the middle with the 1" holes on the end.
Will they figure this out or leave?
Here is the house with the new holes -
http://webpages.charter.net/haeffkr/pics/pm_3
http://webpages.charter.net/haeffkr/pics/pm_4
I know Don C. has used these holes with out issue, but I am just nervous.
thanks Kevin
When will they figure it out?
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dcartwright
- Posts: 259
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 2:52 pm
- Location: Winchester, Ky.
Kevin,
Read the post below "I need help from the pros".
Read the post below "I need help from the pros".
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Bernie Nikolai
- Posts: 402
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:44 pm
- Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Kevin, these holes to me look really, really restrictive to a PM, especially on a thick T-14. My guess is they won't be able to get in. My suggestion is to immediately drill three 1 3/16" holes side by side in a thin plastic plate, with the edges of the holes 3" wide. The holes overlap and you sand the top "teeth" flat and "round the bottom teeth" slightly with sandpaper. This works like a charm and seems to keep out starlings very well. Then cut a rectangle in some of the current entrances and put the plastic plate over it. This way if your current entrances are too restrictive, the martins can choose the entrances that work well. You could also buy the plastic entrances from the PMCA store online here, or directly from Sandy if you need rush delivery. Best of luck.
He who harbors the nesting bird shall have health and happiness all the year
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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
Kevin, I did a lot of testing, and the martins probably will not be able to get into those at all...My suggestion is to take the pips off the top on those that are at the top...Also, the martins definitely will never be able to get into some of those, that is my opinion...Hope you don't get upset with my reply, but I am telling you what I think...
Hope it all works out for you.
Hope it all works out for you.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Guest
Hello,
thanks for posting my pics - sorry I messed up the links.
I need to mention that this whole house is made entirely of 11/32 plywood.
Around the holes I have used a rotary rasp and have the thickness down to about 1/8 to 3/16", I filed this down on the inside so it does not show from the pics.
I have talked to others about this before and was told with the reduced thickness it would work OK for the martins - is that correct?
I have seen pics of gourds with this design and the wall thickness is about 1/4 on the gourds and the martins have no problems with this design and thickness, with the top tips in place but maybe more rounded than mine.
My design is essentially the "excluder", but I my tips are still on the top. So it makes sense to trim them down some.
So if I file down the top of the holes so they look like a WDC-modified Excluder - should it work out then?
One more question - From what I have seen all SREH holes all have the 1 3/16 dimension at the widest point - is that correct?
It seems to be the key dimension is keeping out the starlings.
thanks for all the help
Kevin
thanks for posting my pics - sorry I messed up the links.
I need to mention that this whole house is made entirely of 11/32 plywood.
Around the holes I have used a rotary rasp and have the thickness down to about 1/8 to 3/16", I filed this down on the inside so it does not show from the pics.
I have talked to others about this before and was told with the reduced thickness it would work OK for the martins - is that correct?
I have seen pics of gourds with this design and the wall thickness is about 1/4 on the gourds and the martins have no problems with this design and thickness, with the top tips in place but maybe more rounded than mine.
My design is essentially the "excluder", but I my tips are still on the top. So it makes sense to trim them down some.
So if I file down the top of the holes so they look like a WDC-modified Excluder - should it work out then?
One more question - From what I have seen all SREH holes all have the 1 3/16 dimension at the widest point - is that correct?
It seems to be the key dimension is keeping out the starlings.
thanks for all the help
Kevin
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Guest
I filed the the tips down on holes yesterday afternoon. The tops are almost flat and the bottom ones are rounded over so that it looks close to a WDC type hole.
I have about 5-6 martins around this morning.
I did see one go in and come out.
So if one can do it the others should be able to figure it out soon?
thanks Kevin
I have about 5-6 martins around this morning.
I did see one go in and come out.
So if one can do it the others should be able to figure it out soon?
thanks Kevin
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Guest
I filed the the tips down on holes yesterday afternoon. The tops are almost flat and the bottom ones are rounded over so that it looks close to a WDC type hole.
I have about 5-6 martins around this morning.
I did see one go in and come out.
So if one can do it the others should be able to figure it out soon?
thanks Kevin
I have about 5-6 martins around this morning.
I did see one go in and come out.
So if one can do it the others should be able to figure it out soon?
thanks Kevin
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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 am happy that one went in, hopefully the others will also learn. I would closely monitor them. I had an entance one year that was a bit small, and it stayed empty because I didn't measure it until the nesting season was nearly over..we live and learn, but overall, the SREH are an excellent idea..
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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dcartwright
- Posts: 259
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 2:52 pm
- Location: Winchester, Ky.
To all,
This design does work and martin do use them at my site. I have several gourds that have 3/8" wall thickness that successfully raised young last year. I had 19 pair last year and I expect between 30 and 40 pairs this year.
Filing off the points only increase the chances of starlings getting in. One needs to only smooth the points and make sure the surface is smooth. The adult birds will struggle some getting in and out but the SYs have no problems. Once the birds learn the hole, they all go in and out very quickly.
If there is any doubt, I can supply pictures via e-mail. The jpg file is too large for me to post here.
Don in Kentucky
This design does work and martin do use them at my site. I have several gourds that have 3/8" wall thickness that successfully raised young last year. I had 19 pair last year and I expect between 30 and 40 pairs this year.
Filing off the points only increase the chances of starlings getting in. One needs to only smooth the points and make sure the surface is smooth. The adult birds will struggle some getting in and out but the SYs have no problems. Once the birds learn the hole, they all go in and out very quickly.
If there is any doubt, I can supply pictures via e-mail. The jpg file is too large for me to post here.
Don in Kentucky
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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
Don, the second url, the very top hole is the type that I do not think the martins will ever be able to enter. Of course, I don't have the dimensions, so I am not positive, I am assuming that his max opening is 1-3/16in
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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dcartwright
- Posts: 259
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 2:52 pm
- Location: Winchester, Ky.
Good point Emil,
It is my understanding from Kevin that all the holes have the same dimensions. The two outside holes are 1" dia. and the center hole is 1 3/16". I special ordered a 1 3/16" hole saw for my drill to make sure the center hole was exact. I use a fine sandpaper to smooth all surfaces with a bit more sanding on the edges. I make sure the points are rounded but not sharp. I have yet to see a starling make it in, even though many have tried. I have seen many, many endurances and exits by martins. If one does not follow these directions, there could be problems.
I am trying all three holes with the 1 3/16" dia. saw this year, again with both top and bottom points. I had three babies with heads stuck out and just thought I'd give them a bit more room this year.
This design is very easy to make but I like the fact that no starling (at least that I have seen nor any evidence of starling attacks inside my gourds) has entered this design.
It is my understanding from Kevin that all the holes have the same dimensions. The two outside holes are 1" dia. and the center hole is 1 3/16". I special ordered a 1 3/16" hole saw for my drill to make sure the center hole was exact. I use a fine sandpaper to smooth all surfaces with a bit more sanding on the edges. I make sure the points are rounded but not sharp. I have yet to see a starling make it in, even though many have tried. I have seen many, many endurances and exits by martins. If one does not follow these directions, there could be problems.
I am trying all three holes with the 1 3/16" dia. saw this year, again with both top and bottom points. I had three babies with heads stuck out and just thought I'd give them a bit more room this year.
This design is very easy to make but I like the fact that no starling (at least that I have seen nor any evidence of starling attacks inside my gourds) has entered this design.