Starling

[Guest]

This is my third year to get Martins to stay. They come but they leave. I finally figured out why they don't stay. Starlings! They come and hear that screech and they say no way I'm I staying here. Well I figured out something else. In my quest to kill Starlings I found two Robin eggs in one of my gourds. I have one of those neat traps that have clamed 5 Starlings. But the Robin eggs brought me an insight. Late in the evening each night the Robins go into distress and it is the Starlings robbing their nest. Now when I hear a Robbin in distress I take off with my pellet gun and just as I thought I find a Starling being dived at by a pair of Robbins. Now that is where the pellet gun comes in. I'm up to 25 Starling that have gone to where ever they go. So listen up, you will hear the distress, it's time for action. Besides while the Robbins our trying to chase the Starling they forget about any other intruder and they are an easy shot.
Vince

[CUL Lou~Mich]

Hmmm, never knew Robins would nest in a SG. But, it's well known that Starlings will raid nests and kill the eggs etc. As for the Yard Light. I doubt that it would bother them. I think they are pretty much used to the lights, from being around people so many years. CUL Lou

[Mary Dawnsong]

Vincent, are you sure those aren't Starling eggs in the gourd?
Starling eggs are pale blue green in my area.

Here's a photo of Starling eggs, apparently in Canada:
http://wildspace.ec.gc.ca/life.cfm?ID=E ... est&Lang=e

Or scroll down this next page to see an even better photo of starling eggs in a man's hand.
This photo was taken in Alabama by landlord Chuck Abare. These starling eggs are a stronger blue, about the size of Robins eggs:
http://home.earthlink.net/~chuckabare/pests.htm

[Guest]

Simple solution... convert to SREH and starling woes are a thing of the past.

Ian

[Mary Dawnsong]

Starling Resistant Entry Holes (SREH)

Read all about them in the archives:
http://purplemartin.org/forumarchives/archives.html

Here's an indepth forum chain on why they work:
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2796

You can make them yourself, converting your existing housing.
Or, you may be able to buy replacement SREH doors from your martin house manufacturer.

Go to the PMCA shop and look in the Martin Housing and Gourd Housing sections to see examples of SREH:
http://purplemartin.org/shop/catalog.html

This is my starling story (second post):
http://purplemartin.org/forumarchives/a ... Damage.htm

I've been all SREH for 6 seasons now and NO STARLINGS have entered!

Good luck, Mary