thanks, jim! Modified entry holes work just fine!

[Guest]

Jim,

I read on another thread that you used a 1/16 piece of wood glued over the bottom half of your round entrance holes to modify them to SREH.

I received a metal housing unit as a gift that I was obliged to put up this year, and the starlings we've never had here before zeroed in on it and took up residence. 3 pairs of aggressive warriors they are, too. They had already started nesting, but no eggs had been laid yet, so I decided now was the time for action.

I ran to the hardware store this morning while the battle raged on here at home. I picked up two 8 ft long slats 1/4 inch thick, 1 and 5/16 inch wide, and I cut them down to 4 inch long pieces; used marine epoxy to glue them to the lower half of the round holes; used calipers to make a template to measure the width of the modified holes as I glued the strips of wood into place, and VOILA! In less than 2 hours the house was modified, spray painted with non toxic acrylic, and back up in the air.

Our martins are busily wriggling into the holes and are continuing their nest building without missing a beat. The starlings are gone for now, but next week when I'm back at work, at least I won't have to worry about coming home to find them in the nest boxes.

I've ordered an S&S trap, too; I have my varmint shooter at the ready and now I'm waiting for the starlings to pay me another visit.

Thanks for taking the time to post here at PM Forum, if your three line thread hadn't been here I wouldn't have had the confidence to finish a simple 2 hour craft project that is going to make a tremendous difference to our birds this year!

Kudos, Jim!

Sarah Bell

[Joe Levins]

Sarah, you must be handy with tools. Glad you conquered the nasty birds. You want have to worry with now.

[Guest]

I dunno about 'handy' but here on the ranch I have to use a lot of tools to get anything done!

I can't say I've conquered the starlings, either. I know they'll be back.

I'm waiting for my trap to arrive!

Thanks for the post,

Sarah

[Matt F.]

Sarah,
Would you be able to possibly post some photos of your modifications?

It sounds like you did a great job!