Providing nesting material?
I read the information on this website about providing nesting material and was not clear about one thing. Is it better to put the material directly into the compartment for the martin, or is it better to put material in a place for easy access, hanging nearby, for martins to use when they want? Or should I do a combination, putting pine needles in the compartments and then also providing some nearby for them to use? Thanks!
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KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
Lucy - I put the white pine needles in the cavity - 3 good fistfuls and make sure it doesn't block the doorway. All my cavities are full of needles when the martins arrive, but I still throw some on the ground that they can pick up and feel like they helped too. 
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
Hi Lucy.
Just to add to what Kathy said, in addition to placing a nice amount of pine needles in the compartments, it's extra good to provide additional material, in as safe a zone, and as close to your housing, as possible.
Elevated platforms, trays, etc., are always really good. The less time the Martins spend on the ground (away from cats, etc.), the better.
One thing I've done in the past, is throw handfuls of pine needles on the roof of my house, and even place some in the rain gutters, which are pretty close to the housing itself.
**Make sure if your expecting heavy rains, to remove the needles from the rain gutters, if you're concerned about the gutters becoming clogged.
Just to add to what Kathy said, in addition to placing a nice amount of pine needles in the compartments, it's extra good to provide additional material, in as safe a zone, and as close to your housing, as possible.
Elevated platforms, trays, etc., are always really good. The less time the Martins spend on the ground (away from cats, etc.), the better.
One thing I've done in the past, is throw handfuls of pine needles on the roof of my house, and even place some in the rain gutters, which are pretty close to the housing itself.
**Make sure if your expecting heavy rains, to remove the needles from the rain gutters, if you're concerned about the gutters becoming clogged.
