is attracting a pair of SYs. I had put this up in hopes I could attract another BB pair, but they wouldn't go near it. I moved the gourd closer to the martin housing because they would fly over and flutter in front of it. They now go in and out and have one piece of pine straw in it. I'm pretty sure I shouldn't move it until I am sure they may not nest in it. My question is, will they build a nest that low to the ground? There are plenty of other compartments for them. Anyone have this experience?
Lanell
Gourd on 5' garden hook
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Dale Hrncirik
Lanell,
I have 2 gourds and 2 BoVillas that are only about 6' above ground and all are being used...2asy pairs using the gourds and sys in the BVs(I think). In fact, the first babies(earliest ever) was in one of the 2 gourds. The only reason I have them that low is that I'm trying to be discrete and not draw too much attention to my colony. These four cavities are hanging under a S&K house that is just 8.5' at the top...the same height as my fence. No eggs yet in the S&K house.
Dale
I have 2 gourds and 2 BoVillas that are only about 6' above ground and all are being used...2asy pairs using the gourds and sys in the BVs(I think). In fact, the first babies(earliest ever) was in one of the 2 gourds. The only reason I have them that low is that I'm trying to be discrete and not draw too much attention to my colony. These four cavities are hanging under a S&K house that is just 8.5' at the top...the same height as my fence. No eggs yet in the S&K house.
Dale
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Guest
I had a cat one time that I know could jumt vertically from a flatfooted stance 5 to 6 feet,,,,,,,,that might be the deciding factor. The bottom of my house is only 8'-6"
dick
dick
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Ed Svetich-WI
- Posts: 815
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
- Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
- Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.
Several years ago I had an SY pair investigate a peterson style blue bird house on a 4' post that was about 40 feet from the martin set up. They spent the better part of a day going in and out before they finally chose a gourd to nest in.
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Guest
Thanks everyone. I think I will just leave them alone and see what happens.
Good luck this season!!
Lanell
Good luck this season!!
Lanell
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Carlton
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 6:42 pm
- Location: Florida/Deerfield Beach
- Martin Colony History: I moved to South Florida, from Delaware, in August of 2015.
I care for a 6 condo Sunset House as well as two Deluxe Gourd Racks, with 24 Chirpynest/Excluder gourds, along a canal in Pompano Beach, Florida.
At Quiet Waters Park, nearby in Deerfield Beach, I care for a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 TVG's. I also care for a Deluxe Gourd rack with 12 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder entrances. I am substituting 6 Chirpynest boxes for 6 of the Conley II entranced gourds in 2026.
At another local park, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, I care for a Trendsetter 12, 5 gourds rack with 60 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder Entrances and 1 Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 Troyer Vertical Gourds with Starling Stoppers over the Conley II's to keep out smaller starlings.
Last year I had a Supergourd set on a shepherds hook and a pair of SY martins fought with a pair of TS over it. The TS won out but the conflict went on for days. It was so strange as I had a whole pole of Supergourds on a 15 foot pole about 25 feet away and no one nested in those.