Hi Mike!
It sounds like you have a great set-up. Did you have 100% occupancy last season? Do you have S&S woes? (Wondering why you converted to cresents).
Fortunately, I haven't had any predator problems.... but am always on the lookout. I have a Coates Watersedge House and a S&K, both with 4 gourds underneath and 2 Gourd Racks which hold 12 gourds each. I'm adding a 16 gourd rack next week for a total of 58 cavities: 48 gourds (half manmade and half natural) and 10 units in houses. They'll be arranged like a 5 on a dice (1 on each corner and 1 in the middle).
My site is next to a busy highway and I think that'll be a plus. They like noise and activity and it keeps the Predators away.
I moved a half mile away and my scouts have followed me already so I'm hopeful the entire colony will end up here... plus I am expecting that "third year explosion" everyone talks about. In reality, I will be happy just to have more than next year though.
I've posted a pic on another thread of my colony as it looks now with just the 4 poles and here is another:
Martins are in Melbourne, FL
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Mike Dingman
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2003 7:03 pm
- Location: Florida/Melbourne
Hi Barb:
Last year I had 46 compartments with 47 active nests. That is because a couple of gourds fledged a family, and sub adults had space to lay eggs and raise young. 227 eggs laid, and 176 fledged. I don't have to many S&S problems, but before I went to crescents, the starlings would come
to the T-14. When I first built it, I used the 2'' round holes. One day a martin was inside, partially out of the entrance hole and a starling was on the porch fighting with the martin. I have a good gun and scope and I shot the starling right off the porch during the fight. After that, I got Frank's crescents and covered the 2'' holes with them. Since then, the starlings don't come around and they don't like the gourds as they are moving all the time in the wind. Your picture looks good, thank you. My numbers increased in my second year. I went from 4 active nests to 21 active nests. In the 3rd year I went to 24 nests.
Mike
Last year I had 46 compartments with 47 active nests. That is because a couple of gourds fledged a family, and sub adults had space to lay eggs and raise young. 227 eggs laid, and 176 fledged. I don't have to many S&S problems, but before I went to crescents, the starlings would come
to the T-14. When I first built it, I used the 2'' round holes. One day a martin was inside, partially out of the entrance hole and a starling was on the porch fighting with the martin. I have a good gun and scope and I shot the starling right off the porch during the fight. After that, I got Frank's crescents and covered the 2'' holes with them. Since then, the starlings don't come around and they don't like the gourds as they are moving all the time in the wind. Your picture looks good, thank you. My numbers increased in my second year. I went from 4 active nests to 21 active nests. In the 3rd year I went to 24 nests.
Mike
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klcretired
- Posts: 2174
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 3:06 am
- Location: Grand Prairie,Tx
Hi Mike,
Congrat's on your PM arrival, I watch the scout report several times a day and i'm sure dale does also, we here in the Dallas area are sitting on pins and needles awaiting the arrival of our colony to begin. I have everything up and ready and along w/ the S&S repeating trap and other traps i just bought me a new Beeman GH 1000 pellet rifle w/ scope so i'm ready for anything this year. In year's past i was useing a crossman 2100 Clasic BB/Pellet pump up with no scope, had to pump it 10 times so on this new beeman i just Break it over once which will be really nice but the main reason i bought it was because of the accuracy, it is sited in from the factory which is a plus for me. Don't get me wrong i eliminated alot of the S&S's with my crossman but i think i will eliminate even more w/ this Beeman according to all the posts that i have seen here on the pmca forum Beeman is supposed to be top of the line and i wanted something Very accurate.Good luck to you & your colony this year Mike and i wish everyone well for 2006, Let The Games Begin.
Congrat's on your PM arrival, I watch the scout report several times a day and i'm sure dale does also, we here in the Dallas area are sitting on pins and needles awaiting the arrival of our colony to begin. I have everything up and ready and along w/ the S&S repeating trap and other traps i just bought me a new Beeman GH 1000 pellet rifle w/ scope so i'm ready for anything this year. In year's past i was useing a crossman 2100 Clasic BB/Pellet pump up with no scope, had to pump it 10 times so on this new beeman i just Break it over once which will be really nice but the main reason i bought it was because of the accuracy, it is sited in from the factory which is a plus for me. Don't get me wrong i eliminated alot of the S&S's with my crossman but i think i will eliminate even more w/ this Beeman according to all the posts that i have seen here on the pmca forum Beeman is supposed to be top of the line and i wanted something Very accurate.Good luck to you & your colony this year Mike and i wish everyone well for 2006, Let The Games Begin.
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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klcretired
- Posts: 2174
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 3:06 am
- Location: Grand Prairie,Tx
Barb,
I sure do like your setup , wow, Thanks for the neat picture,I wish i was back in Fla, you know i was born in Fla but moved to dallas when i was 2 year's old.
I sure do like your setup , wow, Thanks for the neat picture,I wish i was back in Fla, you know i was born in Fla but moved to dallas when i was 2 year's old.
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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floridasunshinegoddess
Mike, you had a great year last year! I understand now why you went to cresents.....
Pretty cool how the SY couple had a chance to fledge some babies after the ASYs were finished with that cavity!
So your second year was your big year...... I doubled..... Hope I can triple this year even though I made the short move.
klc, congrats on your new rifle. I hope you put it to good use. Please let us know when your first Martin arrives!
klc, no, I didn't know you were born in Florida. Cool! I lived in Arlington, TX for a year... so I know the Dallas-Ft Worth area fairly well.
Mike and klc, I've lived a lot of places........... I was raised a Navy brat, moved a lot as a child and kept moving as an adult. Loved meeting new people and experiencing different parts of the country and world. It's only lately that I've settled down. I even lived in IOWA for a year!
Pretty cool how the SY couple had a chance to fledge some babies after the ASYs were finished with that cavity!
So your second year was your big year...... I doubled..... Hope I can triple this year even though I made the short move.
klc, congrats on your new rifle. I hope you put it to good use. Please let us know when your first Martin arrives!
klc, no, I didn't know you were born in Florida. Cool! I lived in Arlington, TX for a year... so I know the Dallas-Ft Worth area fairly well.
Mike and klc, I've lived a lot of places........... I was raised a Navy brat, moved a lot as a child and kept moving as an adult. Loved meeting new people and experiencing different parts of the country and world. It's only lately that I've settled down. I even lived in IOWA for a year!
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John Atteberry
Hello Mike,
I really like the sound of your set-up! And I'm really excited this year because it is my 2nd year too! I had three pairs last year so I'm hoping to double that! I have a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 10 Supergourds and 2 Natureline Gourds! Also have a Multi-purpose Pole with 2 MSS-8 Trio Houses that's been enlarged with four Troyer Horizontal Gourds with 2 Natureline Gourds. I just put that up today! I have also a MSS-12 Trio Grandpa House that's been enlarged with 2 Natureline Gourds hanging off the sides! So this year I will have 14 housing compartments with 20 gourds! Now here is the biggest decision I have to make next year, Do I buy another Multi-purpose pole or another gourd rack? I really love the looks of the multi-purpose pole with the houses and gourds together! I see alot of aluminum houses and plastic houses around my area so that is why I think I should offer lots of housing with lots of gourds, almost even per say! Matter of fact one of the ASY pair nested in the MSS-12 house and one ASY in the Natureline gourd under it and on the other side of the MSS-12 house a SY pair nested in it! So I'm in a rock and hard place trying to decide for next year! I know it's awhile away but I like to start planning early! HA! HA! Anyway if I do go that route I'll have 20 housing compartments and 24 gourds! What do you think? Thanks John! P.S. I know the feeling about working full-time and all that money and maint. on natural gourds, that I love the plastics better! They last forever and easy to clean! No maint. whatsoever!
I really like the sound of your set-up! And I'm really excited this year because it is my 2nd year too! I had three pairs last year so I'm hoping to double that! I have a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 10 Supergourds and 2 Natureline Gourds! Also have a Multi-purpose Pole with 2 MSS-8 Trio Houses that's been enlarged with four Troyer Horizontal Gourds with 2 Natureline Gourds. I just put that up today! I have also a MSS-12 Trio Grandpa House that's been enlarged with 2 Natureline Gourds hanging off the sides! So this year I will have 14 housing compartments with 20 gourds! Now here is the biggest decision I have to make next year, Do I buy another Multi-purpose pole or another gourd rack? I really love the looks of the multi-purpose pole with the houses and gourds together! I see alot of aluminum houses and plastic houses around my area so that is why I think I should offer lots of housing with lots of gourds, almost even per say! Matter of fact one of the ASY pair nested in the MSS-12 house and one ASY in the Natureline gourd under it and on the other side of the MSS-12 house a SY pair nested in it! So I'm in a rock and hard place trying to decide for next year! I know it's awhile away but I like to start planning early! HA! HA! Anyway if I do go that route I'll have 20 housing compartments and 24 gourds! What do you think? Thanks John! P.S. I know the feeling about working full-time and all that money and maint. on natural gourds, that I love the plastics better! They last forever and easy to clean! No maint. whatsoever!
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Mike Dingman
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2003 7:03 pm
- Location: Florida/Melbourne
John:
Sounds like you have plenty of variety. I am up to 4 poles this year and that is about my limit, for many reasons. I am in the city limits, I have good neighbors, but I don't want to wear out my welcome. Also, I keep detailed records and send in the data sheets to the PMCA every year so there is a lot of paperwork to keep it all as accurate as possible. One reason I like several poles with housing/gourds, whatever, is it reduces nest site competition. Right now, my 12 unit gourd rack which replaced a 16 unit gourd rack is the busiest. They have 3 other gourd racks to choose from and the T-14. So the point is, the sub adults will fill up the end gourd rack and not be bothered by the adults as much and vise versa, that makes for a more calm colony. This is my 8th year and the set-up I have is easy to manage, it takes time, but I am ok with that. I enjoy being home on the weekends and I am never inside, I don't watch TV except for the news and Pro Football, that's about it.
Mike
Sounds like you have plenty of variety. I am up to 4 poles this year and that is about my limit, for many reasons. I am in the city limits, I have good neighbors, but I don't want to wear out my welcome. Also, I keep detailed records and send in the data sheets to the PMCA every year so there is a lot of paperwork to keep it all as accurate as possible. One reason I like several poles with housing/gourds, whatever, is it reduces nest site competition. Right now, my 12 unit gourd rack which replaced a 16 unit gourd rack is the busiest. They have 3 other gourd racks to choose from and the T-14. So the point is, the sub adults will fill up the end gourd rack and not be bothered by the adults as much and vise versa, that makes for a more calm colony. This is my 8th year and the set-up I have is easy to manage, it takes time, but I am ok with that. I enjoy being home on the weekends and I am never inside, I don't watch TV except for the news and Pro Football, that's about it.
Mike