I put this house up in Feb '06 and never got any martins last year. I have periodically watched the house this spring, but have never seen any birds or any signs of birds. Well this weekend I was in the back yard working and thought I heard baby birds in the house. After a few minutes, I saw two separate adults flying into and out of the house, and every time they flew in, the babies went nuts! Well I got my martins this year and I am tickled pink. I sat on the back porch yesterday early evening and watched for at least an hour and enjoyed every minute of it. I took several pictures which I would like to share with all. I thank everyone on this forum who offered me lots of advice and encouragement last year!
Tom McAlpin
Madison, AL
Everyone post a picture of your setup!!
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Guest
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bwenger
- Posts: 1057
- Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2005 7:24 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania/Espyville/Pymatuning Reservoir Area
- Martin Colony History: Taking care of 11 active public colonies and trying to start two more in northwestern PA. Also attempting to restart another one in southwestern PA, in Collier Township's Hilltop Park. In 2017, not sure what happened but the ASY male returned and then a couple of weeks later he was gone. It could have been weather related. No other birds showed up. I had a starling nesting at the Public site that I had trouble getting rid of.
In 2018, we fledged 629 martins at all of the sites.
Sparky, I just put up a T14 for the very first time yesterday, using a 3" square pole, and it appears to be exactly what you have! It looks great, so hopefully the martins will feel the same. I added all types of SREH's entrances, so hopefully that will keep the starlings out. Sparrows may be another story. Also, I am hoping that I didn't put this up to early, since a lot of the ASY birds are just getting here to Northwestern, PA. But, I have a question on the cable, when your house is down, does the cable rub on the back of the house? The cable on my winch is on the outside of the reel, so with that angle, the cable rubs the back of the house. Not sure, but that may only happen when the house is lowered. Did I put the cable on the reel wrong? Should I try and get a pulley or something for the cable to ride on so that I don't break the strands of the cable. Appreciate any comments on this.
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RandallRash
- Posts: 196
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 5:52 pm
- Location: TX/Rockwall
Here's my patriotic contribution of 1 of 2 Trio Castles and a 16 gourd rack.
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Caroline94535-ND
- Posts: 337
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:12 am
- Location: North Dakota/Larimore
- Martin Colony History: Will add later
I have to add a photo of my little colony, too.
We're moving this summer, so the base only allowed me to put up the small pole with three gourds. They're filled with ASY pairs, but I'm won't be at peace until we're in the new place with all my gourds hung again.
This was supposed to be the year I expanded by eight gourds, not decreased.
[img][IMG][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/ ... rivals.jpg[/img]
We're moving this summer, so the base only allowed me to put up the small pole with three gourds. They're filled with ASY pairs, but I'm won't be at peace until we're in the new place with all my gourds hung again.
This was supposed to be the year I expanded by eight gourds, not decreased.
[img][IMG][img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/ ... rivals.jpg[/img]
