Picture of returning martins!
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Guest
I was SO excited to awaken to the beautiful and distinct singing of martins yesterday and today!!! This afternoon, almost at dusk, we got a picture. Just thought I'd share it with you. -- RG
- Attachments
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- ASY male and female, making themselves "at home"
- Feb. 27, 2006.jpg (23.7 KiB) Viewed 1480 times
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Guest
rrgregory,
I was just looking at the way you have yor gourds wired up.I
take it that your gourds swing alot.Does the martins not mind the swinging? It must be exciting to have your martins starting to come home.I not a landlord yet but Ithink I am getting close.I get more here ever year visiting all summer but they just haven't started to nest yet.
I putting up 30 large natural gourds this spring.That may change their
mind. Nice Picture
Thanks Don
I was just looking at the way you have yor gourds wired up.I
take it that your gourds swing alot.Does the martins not mind the swinging? It must be exciting to have your martins starting to come home.I not a landlord yet but Ithink I am getting close.I get more here ever year visiting all summer but they just haven't started to nest yet.
I putting up 30 large natural gourds this spring.That may change their
mind. Nice Picture
Thanks Don
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Re: hanging. Super Gourds are heavy enough -- 32 oz -- that they don't seem to swing excessively when hung this way.
John Miller
John Miller
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Guest
Don, as John said, the super gourds are heavy, so they don't swing out of control, and yet they do swing some. Apparently, the martins do not seem to mind that at all. I have four super gourds hanging beneath a Lone Star rectangular house that has eight compartments (four on each side, 6" x 12" each) and the gourds have been inhabited 100% over the past few years, while there are a few empty compartments above in the Lone Star. Those swinging gourds are the rooms of choice, evidently! First come, first serve!
I have read here on the forum that the swinging seems to dissuade the sparrows, and it's true that the sparrows seem to go after the compartments in the Lone Star and not the compartments in the gourds. There have not been any recent problems with starlings because I have all crescent openings. So now, if someone could just invent some way to ward off sparrows, like a spray or noise or some deterrent, they could make a fortune! It needs to be something that could repel sparrows but attract martins.... now surely someone creative out there can come up with something! Meanwhile, I'm getting my traps ready for action.
I have read here on the forum that the swinging seems to dissuade the sparrows, and it's true that the sparrows seem to go after the compartments in the Lone Star and not the compartments in the gourds. There have not been any recent problems with starlings because I have all crescent openings. So now, if someone could just invent some way to ward off sparrows, like a spray or noise or some deterrent, they could make a fortune! It needs to be something that could repel sparrows but attract martins.... now surely someone creative out there can come up with something! Meanwhile, I'm getting my traps ready for action.