While trying to get martins at my site I enlarged the SREH and over did it but had no problems till this year when starlings were trying to take over several supergourds. I cut some strips of aluminum flashing and folded it to fit in the cutout of the supergourd porch to make it 1 3/16 to 1 7/32.
It was interesting to see the starling come back and enter the "repaired" SREH a few times but evidently it was too much trouble or hurt too much but after the first morning I have not seen them back and martins are checking the gourds.
Supergourd repair for oversize SREH
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Guest
- Attachments
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- This is a strip of flashing folded to strengthen it and make it thicker.
- martins 2006 016.jpg (31.93 KiB) Viewed 3849 times
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- This is the strip floded in a house top like v to add height to close up the opening more. the duckbill pliers (sheetmetal) make the job easier.
- martins 2006 018.jpg (36.65 KiB) Viewed 3849 times
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- This is one way tomake a taper gaouge to check entrance clearance. cut a piece of ridgid material, plastic in this case, on a taper and sand smooth and use a caliper to mark the desired dimension.
- martins 2006 020.jpg (55.52 KiB) Viewed 3849 times
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- Here is the repair in place and the gauge measuring the opening. I smeared a little caulk on to prevent toe nails hanging and the martins seem to like it, about 3 or 4 pair on this pole.
- martins 2006 014.jpg (18.88 KiB) Viewed 3849 times