Will Switching Gourds Cause Problems?

Dale Hrncirik · Tue Jan 10, 2006 2:42 pm

I'm thinking about moving the naturals from the bottom tier up to the top and putting the heavier SGs on the bottom. The orientation will remain the same. Question is will my returning 1st year adults know or care? The reason I'm contemplating switching gourd positions is to have more of the weight lower(on the pole) which will certainly help in high wind situations. Last year was my first in Allen and had 5 nesting SY pairs.

Thanks,
Dale

Emil Pampell-Tx · Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:11 pm

Definitely no, it doesn't matter so its ok to do it, I have been switching them for years. This year I will try to put them back in the same place...I will see if they act different. I used to think that they went back to the same cavity, but now I am thinking due to banding out in California, that only about 19% go back to the same cavity. Since I saw that, I don't think it matters.

Guest · Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:45 pm

I always put the same gourd back in the same place each year but I do not think it really makes any difference

CurtWelling · Thu Jan 12, 2006 9:21 pm

I am almost certain that research has shown that as birds get more experience they move higher in the colony. That is, young, inexperienced birds show up later and start out down low. As they age and get experience, they tend to show up earlier and take higher locations which are safer from ground based predators. The type of gourd shouldn't matter.

Guest · Thu Jan 12, 2006 11:00 pm

I too plan to shuffle my housing. I am slowly phasing out my telescoping poles and only plan to put 4 gourds on the 2-telescoping poles as opposed to 8. My new deluxe rack for 12 will take some of the pressure off the flimsy telescoping poles. However, my original little 4-compartment house will go up again for the 4th year.

Sue
City by the Sea, TX