As I posted yesterday, when I returned home from work I had one subbie. He was back with 2 more subbies this morning. I have 2 health octogon aluminum house, which the birds are not going into. THey like the 2 gourds that are attached to a perch under one of the heath houses. THe problem is they are plastic 6" gourds (not the large good ones). I have supergourds and natural gourds ordered but they have not arrived yet. I have 3 more of the 6" plastic that I could attach to my perch holding the present 2 gourds or I could take down my other heath house that they are not siting on or entering. I have a rigged up gourd rack that I could attach to the telescoping pole if I take down the heath house with out gourds. Should I take down the unused heath house, add the other 3 gourds to the rack they at sitting on, or should I just leave well enough alone. I don't want to lose these birds since my adult pair has not returned this year.
Also in a few day I will have a new gourd rack and the gourds I have ordered should arrive. Can I put the new gourd pole, rack, and gourds up or should I wait until the birds I have not leave.
I really need advice from experience landlords.
Terri
More subbies today. Need advice quick.
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Bob Flam
I wouldnt mess with the existing housing that they are looking at. Might just scare em off. Go ahead and add your stuff when it gets there. But I wouldn't mess with anything they are looking at now until they are committed.
bob
bob
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birdy girl
- Posts: 1179
- Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:09 am
- Location: Mississippi/Dumas
Do you think I can remove the house they are not attracted to and put up my rigged gourd rack and my 6" plastic gourds. I am just afraid since they are interested in gourds and I only have 2 up they might need more gourds if more subbies come before my new gourds arrive.
Terri
Terri
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Mary Dawnsong
- Posts: 1685
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 8:17 pm
- Location: Michigan, Livingston County
Hi Terri,
I would NOT take down the house.... yet.
Martins are strongly attracted to houses. Houses draw martins in to investigate a site. Perhaps this is because most martins are born in houses. I believe many martins have never seen gourds and, from a distance, may not recognize gourds as martin housing.
However, landlords who offer a mix of house and gourds often report that the birds choose to nest in the gourds. This is because, given time to investigate, many birds decide the gourds are better housing.
Offering house plus gourds is the classic Bait and Switch sales technique!
So, if I were you I'd leave the house up all season or at least until your birds have laid eggs in the gourds. If House Sparrows swarm to the house, you can always plug the holes.
If your new gourds setup isn't arriving soon, then go ahead and hang the small gourds under the house. You can wait until the birds are off hunting for the afternoon.
Sounds like you're on your way to a strong colony,
Mary
I would NOT take down the house.... yet.
Martins are strongly attracted to houses. Houses draw martins in to investigate a site. Perhaps this is because most martins are born in houses. I believe many martins have never seen gourds and, from a distance, may not recognize gourds as martin housing.
However, landlords who offer a mix of house and gourds often report that the birds choose to nest in the gourds. This is because, given time to investigate, many birds decide the gourds are better housing.
Offering house plus gourds is the classic Bait and Switch sales technique!
So, if I were you I'd leave the house up all season or at least until your birds have laid eggs in the gourds. If House Sparrows swarm to the house, you can always plug the holes.
If your new gourds setup isn't arriving soon, then go ahead and hang the small gourds under the house. You can wait until the birds are off hunting for the afternoon.
Sounds like you're on your way to a strong colony,
Mary
Click here to see my colony
"In Michigan every martin matters"
"In Michigan every martin matters"