10 pairs and just April 2..........unbelieveable!!!!
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Guest
And none of them are Sys yet.my question is when do I start looking for mites..I am assuming on weekly nest checks .the best time for me is on Sundays.also I have no starling problems so this evening I will switch all my gourds back to round holes.they seem to be fighting heavily over the 8 rounds I offer.any comments????
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Glen Webb Jr
- Posts: 478
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 1:03 pm
- Location: Illinois/Stewardson
That's about where I'm at right now. I'm counting around 28-30 martins right now and for the most part, they seem to be paired off. There are a few males that have arrived overnight and they are currently fighting like crazy for their space, and winning too!
As far as the mites...Can't help you on that one I guess. I never really bother with that. I did nest replacements one year (Heavy mite problem only once) but haven't done any for several years following.
Well if this year holds true for the other years, I'll be seeing my first SY's mixing in with the later arriving adults in about two-three weeks. I'm excited to see those pretty first year guys showing up. Love the purple feathering across their fronts. Makes each one more an individual.
As far as the mites...Can't help you on that one I guess. I never really bother with that. I did nest replacements one year (Heavy mite problem only once) but haven't done any for several years following.
Well if this year holds true for the other years, I'll be seeing my first SY's mixing in with the later arriving adults in about two-three weeks. I'm excited to see those pretty first year guys showing up. Love the purple feathering across their fronts. Makes each one more an individual.
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John Atteberry
Hello Mr. Lodi,
10 pairs!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW! That is great and you are on your way to a big colony this year!!!! Now about the mites, start checking when they lay eggs and they hatch! And keep us excited with your posts! John!
10 pairs!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW! That is great and you are on your way to a big colony this year!!!! Now about the mites, start checking when they lay eggs and they hatch! And keep us excited with your posts! John!
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Guest
Mr. Lodi, that is great news!!!
Still no residents up here in NW Ark. Getting a little bummed but still have a lot of time.
Still no residents up here in NW Ark. Getting a little bummed but still have a lot of time.
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Dale Hrncirik
Mr Lodi,
Congrats on all your birds! About the mites, they tend to show up when the baby martins are about 10 days old. My solution is to use 1/4 teaspoon of 5% Sevin powder around the outside perimeter of the nest about 2-3 days before the eggs are expected to hatch. I tap the powder with my long spoon so that it settles down below the top of the nest and minimize any contact with the martins. I never have to reapply and have had no problems with mites since doing this. Once again, I apply it around the ENTIRE top edge of the nest(where the nest material meets the gourd)...not just the entrance. If you do it just at the entrance, rain could enter and wash it away .
Good luck and have a great year!
Dale
Congrats on all your birds! About the mites, they tend to show up when the baby martins are about 10 days old. My solution is to use 1/4 teaspoon of 5% Sevin powder around the outside perimeter of the nest about 2-3 days before the eggs are expected to hatch. I tap the powder with my long spoon so that it settles down below the top of the nest and minimize any contact with the martins. I never have to reapply and have had no problems with mites since doing this. Once again, I apply it around the ENTIRE top edge of the nest(where the nest material meets the gourd)...not just the entrance. If you do it just at the entrance, rain could enter and wash it away .
Good luck and have a great year!
Dale
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Guest
Hey Dale the best time to switch and train them to Sreh crescents is change it right after egg laying begins correct?? 
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Dale Hrncirik
Mr Lodi,
Yes that is the best time to switch unless you are having starlings investigating the cavities, then I would suggest doing it sooner...especially if you are unable to keep a very close watch over your site.
I think it's best when starting a new colony to offer a few round holes but have the majority already SRE. That way, if martins come and choose to use a cavity with a SRE, you won't have to change it later. Also, martins seeing other martins using a SRE could be more motivated to give it a try.
My present colony was started last year using 2 gourds with round holes and crescent SREs on the other 18. I recently switched one of the round hole SGs with a porched crescent and it didn't take them very long to figure it out...and mine are not nesting yet.
One other thing, it's probably best to change out the entrances(to SRE) around noon or little sooner(10am), to give them ample time to learn how to enter.
Good luck,
Dale
Yes that is the best time to switch unless you are having starlings investigating the cavities, then I would suggest doing it sooner...especially if you are unable to keep a very close watch over your site.
I think it's best when starting a new colony to offer a few round holes but have the majority already SRE. That way, if martins come and choose to use a cavity with a SRE, you won't have to change it later. Also, martins seeing other martins using a SRE could be more motivated to give it a try.
My present colony was started last year using 2 gourds with round holes and crescent SREs on the other 18. I recently switched one of the round hole SGs with a porched crescent and it didn't take them very long to figure it out...and mine are not nesting yet.
One other thing, it's probably best to change out the entrances(to SRE) around noon or little sooner(10am), to give them ample time to learn how to enter.
Good luck,
Dale
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klcretired
- Posts: 2174
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 3:06 am
- Location: Grand Prairie,Tx
yes Mr Lodi
What dale said works , at my colony i'm all sreh's and have been very sucessful whereas in the past i had all round hole entrances and lost my whole colony to scum beaks.It's all about protection,protection,protection.
Better safe ,than sorry.
What dale said works , at my colony i'm all sreh's and have been very sucessful whereas in the past i had all round hole entrances and lost my whole colony to scum beaks.It's all about protection,protection,protection.
Better safe ,than sorry.
Pictures Taken with Canon Rebel XT Digital using a Sigma 50-500 Long Lens.
Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,
K.C.
[email protected]
Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,
K.C.
[email protected]
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Guest
I have yet to see a starling here this year.I live in a rural setting and you dont see many here or sparrows for that matter.......lucky I guess.so just wait until egg laying???? Also do I wait until the whole clutch is laid or just 1 egg???
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Dale Hrncirik
Mr Lodi,
You can change over to a SRE after the first egg is laid...good luck!
Dale
You can change over to a SRE after the first egg is laid...good luck!
Dale